Inconvenient Truth (not the movie)

[rjs5134]

This is a very interesting topic of discussion. I agree with both "sides" or opinions to some degree and have a few of my own. But if this is going to continue can we please stop projecting human emotions and traits to animals that do not have or have not expressed these emotions or traits? We're all, or at least most of us are intelligent enough to know fish do not share our range of emotions like sadness or happiness.

These fish can truly thrive in our tanks, in many cases maybe more so than in the wild, but to think we are not doing harm is foolish. The harm caused by collection in the Caribean is probably minute compared to the harm caused by global warming and utrification, but in less developed areas collection is a major problem and it is supported by those of us that support the reefing industry.

Back to the original point, do you feel your hobby does more harm than good and if so, is it worth it?

 

[Deanos]

Back to the original point, do you feel your hobby does more harm than good and if so, is it worth it?

The thread creator has already stated what the point was:

This thread was more from two observations I made:

1. I chased a dwarf angel for 60 feet. I followed most every single fish I came across for at least 30 yards. The fish I watched, from small to large, explored an area the size of a football field over the course of 30 minutes. I can't look at fish in a 180 without thinking about that.

2. I spend thousands of dollars a year on my tank and so do you. I would rather take my family to where these animals live once or twice a year with that money. As cool as a tank full of tangs is, it's got nothing on chasing one through open water. I'm willing to trade having an sps tank in my home if it means that once or twice a year I can swim with some sps corals the size of my car.

These are my observations and my feelings from those observations. I don't expect others to share those opinions but I thought I'd share them. I'm sharing them because even though I'll miss the tank, I'm happy and excited at the realization of exactly how much money I've been spending on this and what that same amount of money translates to in dive trips.

 

[cali_reef]

So when are you setting up the reef tank?

You can't kick it.. I always see people get out, but get suck back in when they see another beautiful tank and say "I can do better than that".

My tanks are still dry, but I will take some pics for you :tongue1:.

 

[rjs5134]

The thread creator has already stated what the point was:

Yet another post full of wisdom.