Research Paper - What Improvements would hobbyist like to see.

[moatdaddy]

I am currently seeking some input for a research paper. I am working with a disabled veterans outreach program and chose aquaculture as my topic as i am somewhat familiar with its operations.

3 Questions.

1. What equipment improvements would you like to see in the hobby?

2. What research would you like to see done to improve the hobby?

3. What improvements from sellers would you like to see in the hobby?

Here are my answers.

1. More affordable T5/LED options. A 24/7 monitoring system for water chemistry, alleviating physical testing (SENEYE with more reporting). More efficient skimmer designs.

2. AEFW and pest eradication. Research into how to lower mortality of fish after being captured with cyanide or other chemical methods. I have had too many fish die a few weeks after being happy. Specific growth testing on all different types of corals in different scenarios. Find out what are causes for STN, RTN, and zoanthids to melt. More access to research that is easy to understand for hobbyist.

3. More companies giving piece of mind with guarantees. More colonies for sale instead of small frags. BRS and Marine Depot have put out informational videos regarding products, this is a huge step in the right direction. I would also like to see more CEO's asking customers what they would like.

 

[monkey4life]

1. What equipment improvements would you like to see in the hobby?
- connectivity for all aspects through one point with web based app functionality
- Smaller in tank pieces. The Waveline Puck jumps to mind

2. What research would you like to see done to improve the hobby?
- Long term care, how to achieve it and what to avoid

3. What improvements from sellers would you like to see in the hobby?
- Better availability of entry level components. Everything is either complete bunk from ebay or at the top of the line. Very little in between or starter level equipment.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

"A 24/7 monitoring system for water chemistry" "2. AEFW and pest eradication."

I'd say these would be my two biggest suggestions:

1. In regard to monitoring water chemistry, specifically Calcium, Alk, Mag, and Nitrates.
2. I'd say the two biggest dangers to reef aquaria are AEFW and Bryopsis. Both have no in-tank tried and true solutions. AEFW require out of tank treatment and Bryopsis "sometimes" works with Kent Tech-M, but there are no guarantees, especially long term. If someone could find an in tank chemical treatment for these two, they would make a lot of money!

 

[Bent]

Equipment with decent prices.

 

[moatdaddy]

Anyone else?

 

[Treasure Coast]

Silent pumps and skimmers

 

[moatdaddy]

Good one, a quiet tank is a happy tank. My current system is in my garage. I just have pvc sucking water from the top tank to the sump. It is super loud, if my garage door is open to my house my wife hollers at me, 'Damnit Brandon close the door'. The slurping noises are not standard though as there are silent overflows out there.

Here is another one. How about a carpet cover for under the stand and around it. So if you spill a bit of water, which lets face it is inevitable it can be wiped up. I haven't seen an aquarium specific one, but i have used clear vinyl before but it looked tacky.

 

[Justintegra]

1. What equipment improvements would you like to see in the hobby?

Better skimmer tech for nanos. A skimmer I can sink into the back chamber of my biocube and not have its performance degrade as the water level rises and falls. It just works independent of the water level. Also, less expensive LED fixtures

2. What research would you like to see done to improve the hobby?

more research into Ich and how to cleanse an aquarium of it that is reef safe, and the same with dinoflagettes (spelling...).

3. What improvements from sellers would you like to see in the hobby?

More sellers who genuinely care about the hobby and less about trying ot make a buck. better quality LFS knowledge.

 

[moatdaddy]

I have great knowledge at my LFS, but he is an veteran saltwater hobbyist. Good call on the Dino, the amount of frustrated reefers regarding that issues is large.

 

[Buzz1329]

3 Questions.

1. What equipment improvements would you like to see in the hobby?

wishful thinking, but I'd like to see a website like "Consumer Reports" that provides unbiased and accurate info about aquarium products. Written by "expert" level aquarists and/or written/vetted by recognized aquarium scientists.

The site would be totally supported by subscription fees paid by aquarists and would not accept advertising/support from mfrs, wholesalers, and retailers of aquarium products.


2. What research would you like to see done to improve the hobby?

Even more wishful thinking, but wouldn't it be great to get research results on common, yet disputed, reef aquarium beliefs: like (a) whether mithrax crabs really eat bubble algae; (b) whether (snail/crab) clean up crews offered by internet retailers actually can control GHA and other algae pests; and (c) whether there is any empirical evidence to support such commonly held beliefs as once ich is introduced in tank, the tank must be fish free for 72 (or however many days the ich dogma dictates) to eradicate the ich completely.


3. What improvements from sellers would you like to see in the hobby?

I would like mfrs of aquarium products to provide clear, coherent, and intelligible directions on how to assemble and use their products. So much of the products that we buy are made in China. Yet the English language "instruction manuals" that accompany almost all of these products (with the exception of some products represented by U.S. sales agents) are virtually unintelligible and written in incomprehensible English. Frankly, I find it insulting that, having sold me a product, the mfr will not even bother to hire someone to translate the inept attempts at English language instructions into comprehensible English.

 

[moatdaddy]

Good ideas coming out here. Makes me wonder if getting research done by universities would be possible. I know there is research being done just not sure how important studying closed systems vs ocean impacts are.

Hey buzz, what if the seller made how to videos instead of printed instructions. I could see that becoming common.

(Welcome to your type X skimmer. In this video we will go over all aspects of this product.)

 

[pledosophy]

1. Alkalinity probe that can tie in with a controller to control the output of a CO2 tank.

2. PAR readings for specific species of corals to optimize growth

3. True to color photography, like in almost every other industry on the planet. It is doable, but until customers demand it we will not get it.

 

[moatdaddy]

good points

 

[moatdaddy]

A self cleaning skimmner. Just had to scrub my skimmer neck. Wish I didn't have to get so invasive when cleaning my poop collector.

 

[Oceanic815]

3 Questions.

1. What equipment improvements would you like to see in the hobby?

100% digital water monitoring system.

2. What research would you like to see done to improve the hobby?

Sustainability. A way to increase tank bred species.

3. What improvements from sellers would you like to see in the hobby?

Hobby is expensive, personally I would like to see more affordable tank bred designer Clow Fish.

 

[PhaneSoul]

2 - accumulation of nutrients, what breaks down in sw, what doesnt and a rough time outline of these things

3-proper lfs practices, not selling a mandarin to go into a 30g tank, disease treatment upon arrival and proper care of livestock

 

[moatdaddy]

Hmm. I never thought of research into the minerals and elements as our water ages. Very good idea. Might put some new debate into no water change vs water change.

Is anyone involved in university or corporate marine research that impacts our hobby?

 

[moatdaddy]

Thank you everyone for your input. I am working with the state of Florida, and hope i may be able to have someone in the aquaculture or mariculture look at some of these ideas. I appreciate the effort and time some of you put in. Maybe they can put some of these research ideas to the universities marine labs.

Thanks

Brandon