The reef hobby has evolved rapidly in a few decades. Sophisticated technology has enabled experimentation never before possible. Yet, it’s irresistible to return once again to the idea of letting Nature do some of the work. 

In recent years, I transformed from a commercial-scale coral propagator to a practitioner of , and business owner proffering an evolving style of freshwater aquariums. The lessons I’ve learned and the mental shifts I’ve made by straddling both sides of the “salinity line” for decades have given me inspiration to encourage the reef hobby to reconsider all sorts of ideas. 

Stuff like embracing greater biodiversity, understanding the many unique ecological niches that our fishes and corals come from, savoring unique aesthetics, and pushing out to the “cutting edge” of what’s possible in the aquarium hobby.

We have the technology. We have the inspiration. It’s time to break from the “tried and true” and once again push the boundaries out from what is common and what is possible. It starts by leaving preconceptions at the door, and looking at Nature in a different way.