don't forget the why

[calebjk]

I have three SW tanks, one of them is a 75gal FOWLR tank that’s in my bedroom. Tonight I was just sitting in my bed watching a black volitan swim around under the actinic lighting. He was just beautiful, all those spines flowing around in the current while he went around the tank looking for food. It was then that I realized that I never sit back and enjoy the fact that I can watch some of God’s most beautiful creations in my own home.

In stead of looking at a fish and seeing beauty, I always look at its belly to see if it’s been eating right, examine it’s eyes and it’s breathing, check it for parasites. And when I look at my corals I don’t just enjoy how cool they look, I’m thinking about temperature control, current, and SG.

My reason for submitting this post is not to tell you all about my night, but to spark an idea that will hopefully give you all more satisfaction in what we do. It is an extreme privilege to have the hobby we have. We live in a country that could end world hunger with the money we spend on ice cream, we really are blessed.

I just want to remind you all, as I was reminded tonight, to enjoy your tanks. Take time to just watch and not think about lighting, powerheads, sumps, pumps, overflows, protein skimmers, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, ca, ph, phosphates, algae, ich, sg, trace elements, tds, or any other thing. When I think about the reason I started in sw tanks, all these things are secondary.

~caleb

 

[Atticus]

Awesome post!!! I know it reopened my eyes!!!

 

[jtesdall]

Very inspiring Caleb! Words to remember always.

Also, with everyone that is forced to drop this hobby right now, remember how fortunate we are that are able to remain. Most have been forced to this decision and what an extremely troubling decision it would be. Not because of lighting, powerheads, sumps, pumps, overflows, protein skimmers, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, ca, ph, phosphates, algae, ich, sg, trace elements or tds. But because of the beauty within the glass (or acrylic).

 

[iaJim]

Good post. I know that people who see my tank think it's beautiful, and I find myself thinking that it's not as good as it might be if I did this or that. Enjoy the beauty of the world!

 

[tibbs2]

Yes, that's right on the money. I think the same things as you when looking at my tank.

 

[reeffreak1]

Great post!

I love to sit in front of an aquarium, and just watch what's going on. Watch the interaction with the inhabitants with their surroundings. And I LOVE watching it with my children. To see their faces as they see a fish suddently swim out from behind the rocks and giggle at it...always puts a smile on my face.

 

[Fishy1]

Wonderful message here It is a blessing to see the handiwork of God.......just to think He spoke it all in to existance boggles my mind

I just read an article that says just sitting in front of an aquarium and watching the inhabitants lowers your blood pressure......just like petting a dog does. So anyone with HBP take time to enjoy a relaxing few minutes in front of your tank. Thanks again for a message full of wisdom...........

Janey

 

[bgreenlee]

Re: don't forget the why

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10415842#post10415842 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by calebjk

My reason for submitting this post is not to tell you all about my night, but to spark an idea that will hopefully give you all more satisfaction in what we do. It is an extreme privilege to have the hobby we have. We live in a country that could end world hunger with the money we spend on ice cream, we really are blessed.

~caleb

Caleb

Good post. Your right we do too often take for granted what we have. I just got back from Argentina this morning after having been there for a week. I spent a few days in Buenos Aires, then the rest of the time in Tucuman, which is a very underdeveloped city at the foot of the Andes mountains. To see people have to live they do there is almost heartbrkaing. To know that I spend more on a fish tank every year then many families in Tucuman make a year really reminds me how lucky we are. Having dinner Wednesday night I saw a family of five on a motorcycle going down the road, I saw two guys on a motorcycle (the passenger was carrying a door off a house), I saw at least fifty families in horse and buggies, and a few where the father was pulling the buggy with his family in it. Its nearly heartbreaking to see.

Billy

 

[calebjk]

by the way, here is a pic of that volitan that made me feel like writing what i did.

for some reason he isn't being true to his black volitan name, but he is still a very beautiful fish.