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The
Role of Patience in Aquarium-Keeping
by
Wallace Cox
Finformation,
October
2001
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Before
I get into my topic I would like to give some background about myself.
I’ve been keeping fish since 1985. It wasn’t my chosen
hobby, it was somewhat forced upon me. My father had always wanted
an aquarium and in1985 decided to buy one. There was a small flaw
in his plan, which was soon revealed. You see, my father was a traveling
salesman, spending most of the week in either Ohio, Kentucky, West
Virginia, Indiana, or western Pennsylvania. With most of his time
being spent at work, his time at home was spent relaxing. Quickly
his interest had faded in the maintenance aspect of the hobby, but
l he did not want to give up his aquarium. This chore was then delegated,
you guessed it, to me. At that point in time I could have cared less
about that tank and its little occupants. Nevertheless, it had become
my responsibility to feed the fish and keep the tank in good running
order. Of course, not wanting this responsibility and being 15 years
old, I did as little as I could without getting caught. But in a matter
of weeks, the tank degraded quickly and the little buggers started
dropping like flies. Not only was I genuinely heartbroken that because
of my negligence they had died, but I was also grounded for several
weeks for goofing off. As time passed, my father lost interest altogether
in the hobby while my passion and knowledge began to grow. Eventually
the tank was moved from the living room to my bedroom. I have been
a hobbyist ever since.
Although my story is a little long, there is a kind of moral to the
story that I would like to address. There are certain words that are
used in the hobby today that seem to fit the situation but give a
somewhat false impression to the novice. Therefore, we as experienced
hobbyists must be more careful of how we present our stories and information
to people just starting into the hobby.
One problem has to do with the word “research” and how
information is obtained, whether it be read in a book or conveyed
verbally by someone. If it was conveyed verbally, more than likely
it came as an interesting and action packed story (if told by the
right person!). This is the way many people prefer to get any tips
or information about keeping fish because it is short and sweet. Though
that is a valuable tool, the reading is also extremely necessary.
Unfortunately the reading gets labeled as tedious “research.”
That does not sound too exciting or interesting by definition -- in
the dictionary “research” is defined as “investigation;
scholarly inquiry.” It should not be thought of that way and
should not be considered drudgery! Unless you have a strong desire
to do this type of “research” or reading, you probably
will not last long in this hobby. It should be a pleasant way to relax
and get information that is needed in the hobby, not something that
feels like a work assignment.
As everyone knows, anything that feels like work is work! This is
yet another frequently misunderstood word in the hobby. When people
enter the hobby, it is out of interest, not to acquire a new set of
chores (my case being an exception!). New hobbyists may think that
it is simply a matter of buying the fish and adding water. It then
becomes time for maintenance and water testing and it suddenly becomes
work. These may be added to that already long list of arduous, backbreaking
weekend chores. If that happens, it may be put off for another day
or week and that is when serious problems arise. As many long time
hobbyists know, it does require time and some effort to keep healthy
tanks but it should really become a labor of love. I myself enjoy
cleaning and maintaining my tanks. Once a system or plan of action
is worked out for cleaning the tank or tanks, it is not difficult
to execute.
The word “difficult” is one of those words that chases
the novice away from some really great fish. There is no such thing
as a difficult fish to keep. During a visit with a fellow “fish
head” Bill Shenefelt (he has a wonderful website shene.killi.net),
we had a discussion about this misconception. It is not really a matter
of the fish being difficult to keep but rather how much time and effort
you want to put into it. If you do your research, you will know what
water quality and living arrangements are required for the fish to
thrive. You may have to pay a little more attention to detail and
spend more time watching the fish, but that is what the hobby is supposed
to be all about. The only true difficulties may be acquiring certain
fish or certain pieces of equipment but, as we all know, good things
come to those who wait! This leads me to the biggest problem word
of all - patience. Our hobby has begun to suffer because we are being
trained to think that everything must happen immediately. Patient
by definition is: long suffering; enduring; not hasty. That is the
truest definition I have ever heard, especially fitting for the hobbyists
who breed or show fish. It can seem to be a pain-staking ordeal to
get the fish full-grown or to sexual maturity. People want that instant
gratification and recognition and do not want it to come tomorrow
or next year. All of the other words -- “research,” “work,”
and "difficult," are part of being a patient hobbyist. Let
us not forget those that live with us, who try to be patient and understanding.
I personally would like to thank my wife for listening to me rant
and rave about various fish I see or want. She also travels with me
to shows and auctions in far away and strange lands like Ohio. She
is a great help and asset to my life and hobby.
If anyone hung in there and listened to my ramblings, I hope that
it may help them on their way to becoming a happy and knowledgeable
hobbyist. With a little research, work, and patience, you should have
no problem keeping those pesky difficult fish. Most of all, remember
to enjoy the hobby you selected! |
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