kowst this thread likely will be closed thanks to you mainly. You are totally off topic and if you want to start a thread bashing your fellow forum users than have at it. You have taken this entirely out of context. What SSCS does regarding their approach to environmental conservation has nothing to do with the ethical implications of the show Tanked, other than both appear on the same network. The thread hasn't been worked up into any lather. You basically questioned my credibility and I responded to you. I have written letters to both Animal Planet and the folks behind the show Tanked. Naturally I have gotten no response and will be very surprised if I do. I asked only that they do a follow up special that shows the success, challenges or lack of success of their systems. I don't view that request as unreasonable. I will assume any lack of such follow-up is likely because they don't want such a follow up to take place due to what it may show viewers.
I did not and have not written anything in favor of overstocked aquariums. I did write an article on keeping a heavily fish stocked reef. I wrote this because it can be done properly when certain factors are taken into account. One is the geographic location of each species and understanding who they are compatible with (both coral and fish wise) and making the proper implementations in the tank. I don't see this as being un-natural or irresponsible. Again, I would ask someone have you been on a coral reef? If you have than you must know that they are very dense and diverse ecosystems. Furthermore I have found fish behavior is more agreeably managed in a densely stocked reef tank possibly because it closely resembles the environment from which they came. When I used the term natural aquarium I meant the replication of an animal's environment in captivity.
jdhuyvetter what you are suggesting IMHO is more of a green aquarium. Something that has a small impact on nature by utilizing renewable resources. My aquariums use LED lighting, multiple levels of filtration and consume electricity. They are not green in any way though I feel I have had success re-creating small patches of fringing reef and reef crest habitats in captivity.
To bring the topic into focus, I have no control over Tanked, whether it will see following seasons or the success or failure of the company it highlights. I do have a moral dilemma as a life long aquarist, scuba diver and someone who has worked in the public aquarium world. I don't like what they are doing and how it is being approached. A lot can be said about sensationalism on TV and I feel this show appeals to that and that alone.
By the way khowst I don't know when Tanked is on or not on as I don't often watch network TV. A friend recommended I check the show out because they were equally as outraged as I. I did that by downloading it from iTunes and watching it. Hence why I said new in my original post then commented that the show wasn't really new though it was new to me.
