Next stop, the "Twilight Zone...?

[Tannin Aquatics]

"There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone...."

Ok, that's one of the most famous opening voiceovers in television history, and it sort of resonates even today, when we're talking about fish stuff, doesn't it?

Yeah, it does.

You see, in the aquarium hobby, we have hardcore scientific facts, which are virtually indisputable. You know, stuff like the nitrogen cycle, photosynthesis, and the requirement to keep our fishes in water! Sure, aquarists might question, discuss, or argue about how to manage these things, or how they affect our aquariums, but no one really disputes the fact that they are hard and fast rules; things that cannot be circumvented for our convenience.

Then there are those things that fall into the realm of outright fantasy...we call 'em "myths"-stuff like "Fish grow to the size of their aquarium", or "The inch-per-gallon Rule", "Small tanks are easier to manage", etc. These are doctrines that have been adopted by the hobby over the decades because at one point, they may have made sense based on what was known to science at the time. And they were interpreted and re-worked for our purposes, usually to discourage hobbyists from trying stuff that could be detrimental to the fishes they wanted to keep...I mean, who would argue with what appeared to be facts available at the time? (click to read more)

 

[dogofwar]

Good article, Scott!

Use of botanicals and tannins is the new freshwater fishkeeping. We're in the early days and need to bring together what's worked historically with new techniques and approaches. That guys like you are both forging into this new area, documenting and finding your thoughts and experiences (positive and not so much) and engaging (sponsoring!) fish clubs like CCA is remarkable and praiseworthy! I believe that we're on the cusp of understanding techniques that will allow us to be successful with previously really hard fish (like altum angels, heckel discus and probably lots of others that aren't even exported).

Kind of reminds me of reading TFHs back in the day about early "reef" aquariums, which only had big protein skimmers for "filtration." Keep in mind that I had just set up a saltwater tank with a (reverse) undergravel filter and some bleached coral... I bought the saltwater kit from my LFS. And it was completely inadequate.

Regurgitated myths and people operating with an overabundance of caution abound on the internet. The garden hoses that I've used to drain and fill tanks for decades: toxic. Same with terra cotta pots and feeding red wiggler worms and bugs from the garden. And all the rest. Unfortunately - as in other domains of our social and civil lives - the further and further segmentation of media has increased the prevalence of echo chambers where misinformation becomes truth and truth becomes suspect because it doesn't agree with our preconceived notions. All the worse that many with the most wisdom and experience don't or won't participate for a variety of (mostly good) reasons.

As always, I go back to the importance and value of fish clubs - like CCA - in cutting through the BS. At any CCA monthly meeting, there are literally thousands of years of collective aquarium-keeping and breeding wisdom. Perhaps in Frank C. alone It's there for the price of admission (free / introducing yourself in person or on the forum). The speaker likely also brings some depth of expertise in some (or many areas) that may or may not be immediately relevant...but it's worth listening and learning. And then there's the CCA forum. It's an easily-searchable treasure trove of contributions by our members (thanks to Li for hosting it for us). There have most likely already been a few threads on any given myth. And better yet - you can get together before, during or after a club meeting or event to talk with the actual people in the thread...add your experiences...and get their updates.

Matt