Advanced Education

There is no particular litmus test to conclusively determine what makes one an “advanced aquarist.” If there was a test of such a kind, it’s hard to say what the criteria might even be. Certainly, that oft-used “numbers of years as a hobbyist” yardstick doesn’t mean too much, since it is difficult to ascertain one’s actual level of involvement in terms of relevant research hours, hands-on experience, etc. Level of formal education is almost as inadequate for this determination, as it is hard to really know how much of the training pertains directly to core, much less advanced, aquarium husbandry.

Undoubtedly, there are some reasonably objective measures that apply here. Years of employment with a successful company in the aquarium industry, for example. Completion of an intensive aquarium- or aquaculture-specific training program certainly counts. Personal achievements such as breeding/rearing of numerous or challenging species from one’s home might even “count.”

But what ultimately matters here is the attitude of the aquarist. Above all, an advanced aquarist is reasonably confident (i.e. sufficiently competent) to take on big, and especially novel, challenges and does so with a sense of adventure. This usually means thousands of hours with hands in the water. It almost certainly involves many, many failures and disappointments. As such, a truly advanced aquarium hobbyist (“professional” or not) finds more satisfaction in sharing knowledge than in boasting of their own experience or accomplishments.

In this section, you will learn all sorts of advanced aquarium science, particularly in the areas of live foods and natural water quality maintenance. And perhaps pass along some knowledge down the road yourself!