What does it take to be a responsible reefer?

[ReefArtist]

What do you think makes a Reef keeper a responsible one?

Let’s hear it, discussions?

[mrferrit]

Research, Research, Research. before you purchase anything i believe take the time before and look up the care, feeding and light recomedations and preferably talk to someone who has, or has kept the animal in question.

[schudini]

Research, Research, Research. before you purchase anything i believe take the time before and look up the care, feeding and light recommendations and preferably talk to someone who has, or has kept the animal in question.

+1

Research and planning is very important to successfully keeping a saltwater tank, even more so for those keeping a nano-reef tank.

Thinking ahead to solve and avoid potential problems would be a good addition to the definition of "responsible reef-keeping".

[Ampresearch]

I think the above is about all you can do. In the end when you really think about it the only TRUE way is to only have 100% tank raised fish and 2nd generation propagated corals. EVERYTHING else is lending itself to the destruction of the reefs. There are a few people in the area that are die hard environmentalist that IMO take it a bit too far. If you REALLY care about the reefs then those people need to boycott the hobby as a whole. The only time the above does not apply is for 100% pure research only in which case we are killing a few in order to try and save many

Fact is most of us do this because it looks nice and we enjoy it which in tern means we are removing things from the wild for our own entertainment. Most of what we keep would live MUCH better and longer in the wild. In the end none of us are being truly responsible it’s just some of us are slightly better then others. I guess you could say the best of the worst.

[ReefRunner]

I think the above is about all you can do. In the end when you really think about it the only TRUE way is to only have 100% tank raised fish and 2nd generation propagated corals. EVERYTHING else is lending itself to the destruction of the reefs. There are a few people in the area that are die hard environmentalist that IMO take it a bit too far. If you REALLY care about the reefs then those people need to boycott the hobby as a whole. The only time the above does not apply is for 100% pure research only in which case we are killing a few in order to try and save many

Fact is most of us do this because it looks nice and we enjoy it which in tern means we are removing things from the wild for our own entertainment. Most of what we keep would live MUCH better and longer in the wild. In the end none of us are being truly responsible it’s just some of us are slightly better then others. I guess you could say the best of the worst.

I think you make a very good point.  That fish we give a 6'x3'x2' tank would be much happier back in it's natural habitat.  If we were purists we wouldn't keep these animals captive at all.  Since we do though it is our responsibility to do the best we can by them.  And we do know that some species just don't survive long term in captivity and are just not appropriate for the home aquarist.

[Ampresearch]

I think you make a very good point.  That fish we give a 6'x3'x2' tank would be much happier back in it's natural habitat.  If we were purists we wouldn't keep these animals captive at all.  Since we do though it is our responsibility to do the best we can by them.  And we do know that some species just don't survive long term in captivity and are just not appropriate for the home aquarist.

yes agreed.

[AJQ69]

Research!!!

[Reefing Ray]

for me not only do the above, but when I don't understand ask questions even if they sound stupid... ask them on forums, LFS, etc... devote time to the aquarium daily....... 

[westcoastreefer]

I think a responsible reefer should point others interested in the hobby in the right direction

Far too often, do LFS make a sale based on profit and not in the best interest of the animal

I work with a lady who has what she thinks is a 55 gallon tank, when she told me the dimensions, I assured her, her tank was 30 gallons, she also keeps a snowflake eel, I tried to explain to her that her tank is not adequate for an eel and that it is going to either die or harm her, she totally got offended by my suggestion, I understand newbies are very impatient and only want that beautiful established tank from the LFS w/o the work so I try to be as patient and understanding as possible

We as responsible reefers should take upon us the responsibility to spread knowledge, so that those who want to join our hobby can do so in the most environmentally friendly way possible