Education for Aquarists

[oceandvr]

How many members have taken courses or have wanted to take courses to know more about their hobby or interest in aquaria?

I'm in the marine science field and consider myself to be fortunate to have an understanding of marine species and habitats, but I wonder about those of you in landlocked states or not affiliated with marine science. How do you feel about opportunities to learn more about aquaria? Do you seek out information or just go about it by trial and error?

[FishinInTheDark]

I'm a compulsive researcher. I try to know as much as I can about my hobby. In fact, reading about the hobby is almost a hobby in itself.

I took up scuba diving about the same time a got into reefkeeping. My husband got frustrated with me underwater because I could just stick my head in a coral wall and stay in one spot all day. He wanted to see more than polyps!

I would jump on the opportunity to get some formal teaching on the subject. It would be fun to feel like I was being productive with my studying time! I envy those of you who have the sea right there at your doorsteps!

[gman0526]

Knowledge is power, power is $$$. The more knowledge you adquire about this hobby the less amount of $$$ you're bound to waste.

I've been waiting for over a year to be able to take the course over at MACO ( www.reefs.org ) but they seem to be having some internal issues with the admin. part of the site hopefully they'll be starting soon.

[oceandvr]

George,
I took the Coral Biology course via MACO with Eric Bornemen. Excellent stuff! I highly recommend it. I noticed that they had technical difficulties too. Hopefully, they're up and running before too long.

Conni,
I know what you mean -- I'm the same way when I dive and research! Thankfully, my gf just lets me be. lol :)

[Sugar Magnolia]

Knowledge is power, power is $$$. The more knowledge you adquire about this hobby the less amount of $$$ you're bound to waste.
Absolutely right George! I don't think a day goes by that I don't have my face in one of my reference books or I'm researching online. The more I read the more I realize how much I still have to learn!

[winnona15]

i want to take marine classes so bad but i cant because my skool doesnt offer it. it is however a unit in biology (which i am taking now) but i have already read the whole unit but it doesnt say much about fish( the unit is invertebretes by the way) my source of information is CF and other sitees dedicated to marine life. but when i get in college i will be taking marine biology as an elective( i will be majoring in drums and computer engineering)

[oceandvr]

The internet is such a great learning tool as well! Great to have forums like this one and so much information out there to learn from, me thinks. :)