I dig the article, and I certainly understand the challenges, and the problems that we simply cannot foresee or prepare for, but I do also want to say that it really bothers me when people have a preventable crash, it kills all of their animals, and they just fill it up again, no thinking/redesigning/learning. That kills me. For example, if you are on crash #3 like the article mentions, then you need to really start re-evaluating your approach to this hobby.
I am not a super PETA nut, but if you kill all of your pets (if the cause is preventable), a bit of reflection and learning and rethinking is heavily warranted. The only perceived cost should not be in your wallet, if we don't treat our fish/corals/animals as treasures and members of the family, then I am not shocked when people don't want us removing them from the ocean just to accidentally kill them. (yes I know not all come from the ocean anymore)
I don't want to imply that this audience is among those who don't get bummed/reflect when it occurs, I think all of you are probably extremely responsible and simply victims of circumstance and I honestly feel for everyone who has gone through a crash. I just wanted to share that I see it pretty often in local clubs and facebook "tank crashed, oh well, swipe the card and put another 20 critters on death row". I think that we need to work together to change that mindset, improve our community learning (through awesome forums like this) and keep improving the world of responsible and ethical reefkeeping.
Thanks Adam for the well written (and very optimistic) piece.
thank you for the insight. felt this one deserved a bump.