"Fish Tank Kings" on Nat Geo Wild
- Thread starter daveverdo
- Start date
DEEP BLUE SIX
New member
Not that it matters.. but just my 2 cents:
I love the living reef aquariums I've had and the one I'm still concentrating on now.
Apparently problem for some reef hobbyists:
"Most builds (so far) on the those tv shows ARE "Fish tanks". With the exception of 1 tank that was done for a family that was all natural. The usual Fake coral inserts are not living obviously and no other live invertibrates in any of the other builds. Also, yes the shows insert drama and fake situations for some interesting play on the program."
But none of this prevents me and others from enjoying the shows for what they are. Personally I do enjoy them anyhow. Even though my own tank and how it's managed, as well as what type of tank it is- really has nothing to do with how they "do things" on the shows. I still enjoy the programs. I don't think they need to be Reef educating. Since that really is not what they are about. Most of these build systems they sell are for establishments, companies and personal home tanks for people that "don't want"to manage full blown living reef chemistry and maintenance for. The regular fish tank maintenance is enough to begin with for most. Even if done by a maintenance service. A living reef would COST even more and be more difficult to manage for most of these clients. The majority of these clients are NOT reef hobbyists. So, why would they want to manage a real reef?
They just want beautiful fish and simulation. Even if you had the money to hire a maintenance company to manage a full living reef in one these massive tanks from the shows, can you imagine the cost? I think it's high enough as they are- just "Fish Tanks". 'an still, even some one who hires a company to maintain, (if it's a reef) the client still usually knows how to care for it anyhow. The maintenance company can't be there all the time- to feed corals, diagnose all problems EACH DAY and maintain proper chemistry every day. Fish tanks are more maintainable (weekly/monthly) for these clients. Than reefs that would require daily monitoring. That's the point. They are still awe inspiring tanks. Even though I personally would never choose fake inserts or a fish only. I still like watching the builds and seeing our favorite fish. Just because small parts of these shows are inaccurate and silly, I still don't understand why they get so much flack from true hobbyists.
It's fish entertainment, people... Nothing more.
I love the living reef aquariums I've had and the one I'm still concentrating on now.
Apparently problem for some reef hobbyists:
"Most builds (so far) on the those tv shows ARE "Fish tanks". With the exception of 1 tank that was done for a family that was all natural. The usual Fake coral inserts are not living obviously and no other live invertibrates in any of the other builds. Also, yes the shows insert drama and fake situations for some interesting play on the program."
But none of this prevents me and others from enjoying the shows for what they are. Personally I do enjoy them anyhow. Even though my own tank and how it's managed, as well as what type of tank it is- really has nothing to do with how they "do things" on the shows. I still enjoy the programs. I don't think they need to be Reef educating. Since that really is not what they are about. Most of these build systems they sell are for establishments, companies and personal home tanks for people that "don't want"to manage full blown living reef chemistry and maintenance for. The regular fish tank maintenance is enough to begin with for most. Even if done by a maintenance service. A living reef would COST even more and be more difficult to manage for most of these clients. The majority of these clients are NOT reef hobbyists. So, why would they want to manage a real reef?
They just want beautiful fish and simulation. Even if you had the money to hire a maintenance company to manage a full living reef in one these massive tanks from the shows, can you imagine the cost? I think it's high enough as they are- just "Fish Tanks". 'an still, even some one who hires a company to maintain, (if it's a reef) the client still usually knows how to care for it anyhow. The maintenance company can't be there all the time- to feed corals, diagnose all problems EACH DAY and maintain proper chemistry every day. Fish tanks are more maintainable (weekly/monthly) for these clients. Than reefs that would require daily monitoring. That's the point. They are still awe inspiring tanks. Even though I personally would never choose fake inserts or a fish only. I still like watching the builds and seeing our favorite fish. Just because small parts of these shows are inaccurate and silly, I still don't understand why they get so much flack from true hobbyists.
It's fish entertainment, people... Nothing more.
DEEP BLUE SIX
New member
My general review of the shows:
"Tanked" is more silly. But their aquariums are still awesome to see. A fun show.
"Fish Tank Kings", I don't like the crew as much. It's also not as silly in my opnion. However, it is the usual made for tv stuff. I will say the biologist (Asian) guy on the show at least seems legitimately concerned for fish and has better knowledge in general than the building crew. Even criticising the fake inserts for not being correct, when they made a Florida simulated reef and a couple fake inserts were pacific corals. At least it was a statement to accuracy in that for the display that he pointed out. Even thiough they are fake. I enjoyed the different aspects it has that Tanked does not. Such as the Submarine sequence collecting deep water fishes. Those particular fish, I was not that impressed with. But it was still an interesting segment.
In answer to what a lot of hobbyists want:
Maybe someday we'll get a real hobbyist reef show. But keeping it interesting for non hobbyists will be the challenge of keeping it on tv. The "Science of Reef Keeping" portrayed accurately may only have 1 audience. "US". Other reef hobbyists. Is that enough to keep a regular "weekly" programs ratings high enough to justify it being successful on tv? I don't know... We'll have to see if some one does it.
I'm waiting...
"Tanked" is more silly. But their aquariums are still awesome to see. A fun show.
"Fish Tank Kings", I don't like the crew as much. It's also not as silly in my opnion. However, it is the usual made for tv stuff. I will say the biologist (Asian) guy on the show at least seems legitimately concerned for fish and has better knowledge in general than the building crew. Even criticising the fake inserts for not being correct, when they made a Florida simulated reef and a couple fake inserts were pacific corals. At least it was a statement to accuracy in that for the display that he pointed out. Even thiough they are fake. I enjoyed the different aspects it has that Tanked does not. Such as the Submarine sequence collecting deep water fishes. Those particular fish, I was not that impressed with. But it was still an interesting segment.
In answer to what a lot of hobbyists want:
Maybe someday we'll get a real hobbyist reef show. But keeping it interesting for non hobbyists will be the challenge of keeping it on tv. The "Science of Reef Keeping" portrayed accurately may only have 1 audience. "US". Other reef hobbyists. Is that enough to keep a regular "weekly" programs ratings high enough to justify it being successful on tv? I don't know... We'll have to see if some one does it.
I'm waiting...
GMaquarium
New member
I haven't seen full episodes of these shows. Just short videos online. For me it's enough. Can't call myself a fan or a hater. It is what it is. Living color as a company is much more appealing to me. I have known about them for a log time and have seen lots of their work. They are great just like ATM at what they do.
In terms of a reality show for home reef hobbyists I think we already have it. It's called Reef Central. Real hobbyists with real tanks in real time. Plenty of reef related stuff mixed with drama. Plenty entertaining for me. But that may be because I don't own a tv.
In terms of a reality show for home reef hobbyists I think we already have it. It's called Reef Central. Real hobbyists with real tanks in real time. Plenty of reef related stuff mixed with drama. Plenty entertaining for me. But that may be because I don't own a tv.
DEEP BLUE SIX
New member
Not owning a tv, I think is an excellent decision! Something very few people nowadays would be able to discipline themselves to do. Though there are a few good programs on tv, too much time is put into all our social medias today. Including watching too much televison.
I personally only watch about 4 -5 shows a week and that's it. However, the wife and kids control the box & thats another story with all they watch around the clock! Wish I could talk my wife and kids into just limiting their tv time. I envy you. I bet your family unit is much healthier and make much better use of their time without it.
But trying to talk the rest of spoiled America into something like that is... well.. near impossible.
I personally only watch about 4 -5 shows a week and that's it. However, the wife and kids control the box & thats another story with all they watch around the clock! Wish I could talk my wife and kids into just limiting their tv time. I envy you. I bet your family unit is much healthier and make much better use of their time without it.
But trying to talk the rest of spoiled America into something like that is... well.. near impossible.
marinelife
Active member
Fish tank kings sucks, I think the owner is arrogant and I hate all the I know it all people on the show.
Tanked is good because of the goofy people!! I mean come on The General and Redneck are awesome.
My daughter will only watch Tanked with me, the other show is boring to her!
Tanked is good because of the goofy people!! I mean come on The General and Redneck are awesome.
My daughter will only watch Tanked with me, the other show is boring to her!
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