The Importance of Reefkeeping

11/16/2022

The entire reason why I founded my company, Current Tides Aquariums, was to educate, inform, and protect. On our About page, I go into further detail about our goals and motives, however, as my first published article on this site, I'd like to bring attention to the most important part of anything.

The Reason Why

There is no greater reason to care for animals other than to do just that. All life, theoretically at least, started with the ocean. Not only this, but more than a quarter of Earth's species are either currently inhabitants of the ocean, or directly dependent on it, including human beings. In modern times, especially considering the political tensions, and general disarray of the world, we've seen levels of pollution that are at the least bit shameful. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a fantastic example. An artificial island of trash estimated to weigh anywhere from 45-129 metric tons. Because of the natural fluidity of water, pollutants quickly spread, especially in the form of soluble chemicals and microplastics. I could go on about how dirty the ocean is now, but the point of this article isn't to discourage, but instead to bring awareness, urgency, and a greater understanding to issues, solutions, and preventable cures. Anyone who's taken care of an aquarium, even for a weekend, can see what I mean. To overpollute a tank is an easy thing to do, as sometimes the smallest additions can make the biggest impacts. I'd be surprised if many reefers weren't as cautious as I am regarding what comes near their tank. As fishkeepers, and more specifically, that of a reef, hobbyists and aquarists can be considered ambassadors of the ocean and our waterways. This was a concept first introduced to me by Matthew L. Wittenrich, the author of "The Complete Illustrated Breeder's Guide To Marine Aquarium Fishes". In his words, "The marine aquarium hobby is a beacon, a focus, a guidepost, a candle in the dark, a bellwether and a critical outreach pulpit for the relatively small number of us who love and care for the ocean's creatures, - to educate the many who do not know, and do not care, at least not yet." This statement alone speaks mountains.

More often than not, when I invite friends and acquaintances to my home, my aquarium(s) tend to stand out. While I do make an effort to showpiece them, I’m surprised by how many people have told me they’ve never seen a such a thing. Not only that, but the way some are awestruck, even from specimens or displays that I think are mediocre, is astounding. What I mean is, if the things I had in my tank are considered to be gorgeous by much of the general population, how would they view the things I desire to have? Beauty is commonly in the eye of the beholder, but I arrogantly stand by the claim that Mother Nature makes the exception. Having seen the great feats of many of these creatures, I not only draw inspiration and confidence, but vigor. I’ve seen coral live through some of the worst conditions, to a point where they seemed to be only skeletons. Something that very few species are able to do. This alone expresses the beauty of life, and the importance of survival. Animals, unlike humans, act purely on instinct. An animal will fight until they can’t, in the way they think best. As human beings, the most advanced species on earth, we have thoughts and emotions like no others. Our consciousness is the only thing that allows us to decide right from wrong, making it our responsibility to use it for good, rather than evil. Even though nature conservation is a time sensitive matter, I just want to stress the presence of Hope. As I have met some who claim it’s “too late”, telling me there’s no way we can save the Earth. To be honest, I hate that, as the impossible is only the impossible, until it isn’t. More simply, “if there’s a will, there’s a way.” The work that I do, and that of many others, supports just that. No matter what, I’ll stop at nothing. Like Kanye West said, “When it feel like living’s harder than dying, for me giving up’s way harder than trying.”

Personally, I’ve never heard a reason other than lack of desire to not save the oceans. If you have a contesting point, please let me know, as I think it’s important to get all perspectives. Admittedly, this is a subject I fail to see any other way, and believe there’s nothing that could convince me otherwise, but I digress. Whether you agree or disagree, I hope after reading this you find yourself more knowledgeable, and passionate to keep our planet clean. Be mindful of your actions, as the Butterfly/Domino Effect is real. Everything you say and do matters, whether it’s positive or negative. Stay clean and stay safe, The World is Yours.