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Post by Carl on Oct 7, 2014 15:50:20 GMT -5
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Post by Carl on Dec 9, 2014 13:40:27 GMT -5
I have added a forward to the "Common Aquarium Keeping Myths" article. This was added in part due to the many emails I still receive where persons will believe anything they read when it is simple. QUOTE: "A little thought for readers, since not all myths are addressed here; Besides Social Media and Aquarium forums which drives these myths, often what I have found via many emails and conversations over the years is simply laziness to read good information. I am not trying to be insulting to readers, as often the myths and miss-information are in simple and easy to read blog, web site, & forum posts. While good scientific based information using takes much more time to read, often due to the fact it takes multiple readings to understand the information as well.
Often those posting myths also employ methods of attacking the authors of science based information rather than the indisputable subject matter. Examples such as rather than accepting that an inferior LED light wastes more energy as heat, which is a scientific fact, they go after the author or make comments such as this one from Reef Central: "TMC is an obscure brand". Aquarium Chemistry is another subject ripe with myths.
So please read these myths with an open mind and follow the references for a better understanding."Reference: www.fish-as-pets.com/2014/10/common-aquarium-keeping-myths.htmlCarl
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Dec 9, 2014 21:47:34 GMT -5
I have added a forward to the "Common Aquarium Keeping Myths" article. This was added in part due to the many emails I still receive where persons will believe anything they read when it is simple. QUOTE: "A little thought for readers, since not all myths are addressed here; Besides Social Media and Aquarium forums which drives these myths, often what I have found via many emails and conversations over the years is simply laziness to read good information. I am not trying to be insulting to readers, as often the myths and miss-information are in simple and easy to read blog, web site, & forum posts. While good scientific based information usually takes much more time to read, often due to the fact it takes multiple readings to understand the information as well.
Often those posting myths also employ methods of attacking the authors of science based information rather than the indisputable subject matter. Examples such as rather than accepting that an inferior LED light wastes more energy as heat, which is a scientific fact, they go after the author or make comments such as this one from Reef Central: "TMC is an obscure brand". Aquarium Chemistry is another subject ripe with myths.
So please read these myths with an open mind and follow the references for a better understanding."Reference: www.fish-as-pets.com/2014/10/common-aquarium-keeping-myths.htmlCarl Good point Carl. I know it can be difficult to follow some information, but it's worth it to take the time to read.
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Post by Carl on Jul 24, 2016 11:14:39 GMT -5
I have updated this article in Aquarium Answers about common aquarium keeping myths to tackle another insidious myth that is so ingrained of late that to now say "wait a minute" will get get you label as a troll and banned in most aquarium keeping social media. "The Myth that Multi-Stage RO System WITH a DI Chamber is Required for Most all Freshwater and Saltwater Aquariums."Here is a rather blunt excerpt from this article dealing with RO and RO/DI: "In my experience, this was another myth that was de-bunked long ago (as per my discussions with others such as researchers from Aquatronics), but has resurfaced because social media and dare I say, many persons inability to think on their own. I do not know where it started, my guess is a popular online discount reef supply retailer, however regardless, online personalities such as Mr. Saltwater tank took the lure and swam with it!"www.fish-as-pets.com/2014/10/common-aquarium-keeping-myths.htmlCarl
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Post by Carl on Mar 12, 2018 14:38:59 GMT -5
I've updated the "Fish As Pets" article, in particular the section dealing with the myth of stress induced Betta Tail biting. This myth has really grown wings of late, especially with social media and frankly disrespectful persons running certain Facebook forums where mentoring and understanding the rules of science are a lost art Here is a rather long excerpt: "Another point is that this myth was dismissed by most in the professional aquarium keeping industry (including in fish illness seminars I attended), it was not until the Internet that it exploded that is suddenly became truth to many via non science based blogs re-posting the same information as an attempt to explain to many what they were seeing was tail biting like one might see with a stressed bird. Most of these blogs are regurgitating the same information (copy & paste) even the same diagram. One blog was by a friend (NippyFish) that I know was hijacked by a Russian (where I have been attempting to help her with DMCA acts that so far have gone nowhere, thanks Google), so this is far from trustworthy
An interesting point that many of these non professional based blogs have in common is they state that certain bite shapes in tail damage are proof of biting when in fact this is simply more an indicator of the pathogen. The so called "Betta biting chunk" is typical of a Columnaris infection where by chunks of tissue simply fall off. More common though of Betta Fin Rot is a more ragged deterioration which these blogs claim (correctly) is more from fin rot. Problem is Fin Rot is not a disease per say, rather symptom (just like Septicemia or so called Red Pest). This more ragged fin damage is more common of an Aeromonas or Pseudomonas infection.
Here is one of the copy & paste pictures that these blogs have shared that I have corrected to the correct diagnosis as per known science:
Of course one might ask what does it matter? Why getting this right matters is such myths distract from the real causes and addressing these, especially if a case of fin rot is involved. This especially becomes critical when the fin rot is caused by Columnaris, albeit a less common cause of such damage, as Columnaris can be an aggressive infection if not addressed while the misled fish keeper attempts to address an incorrect cause. Luckily often Columnaris is stress related, so the non experienced aquarium keeper removers the stressor and boom, they think they cured their Betta tail biting and the myth goes one!!
While this myth is maybe not as easy to dismiss for some, we also need to compare to another myth that is; that is that Melafix is harmful to Bettas and certain other fish where observations to not hold up to science based scrutiny. Just because we see something does not mean the cause is what we see. It is also up to those who make this claim of stress induced tail biting in Bettas to prove that this is indeed the case since this goes up against previously established science (not the other way around for those holding to the science already established to prove themselves).
The point of this article calling out this myth is not to tell people they did not see their Betta chasing their tail (or calling them a liar), is that the explanation of stress related biting is not correct. A similar analogy could be made about a student seeing a leaf float on a breeze and telling the teacher that there are exceptions to gravity when in fact the student clearly saw what he saw, but the explanation is more to the aerodynamics of the leaf (thus the teacher is not calling the student out as a liar either, just correcting the student).
This is similar to the Melafix myth/controversy, where by science has clearly demonstrated this is not true when used correctly and moreover that often it is the disease Melafix is being used to treat is what actually killed the fish (which is actually a poor fish remedy for most problems). This is like saying, "I have a headache, therefore I have a brain tumor" or looked at another way; "my friend took aspirin for their headache and it killed them" when in reality they were treating a brain tumor with aspirin. More about the Melafix Myth: Melafix Dangers; Betta, Labyrinth Fish, Pencil Fish
In the end, those that are pushing this likely myth, should look past the lazy social media posts and cut & paste blogs (including pirated ones), and look at true causes of stress that affect fish such as oxidative stress (this might include utilizing a GH test & Redox meter). While this reading might take more effort along with exploring the lost art of mentoring, in the end you will find more yourself more equipped to make a good answer for these tail problems in Bettas than the lazy answer of a stressed Betta biting its tail. Reference: Oxidative Stress & Redox
Finally, here is a video that demonstrates the problem I mostly have with this myth, whether one want to believe stress related tail biting in Bettas or not, this has convinced many Betta keepers that this is the problem when in fact it is a clear cut fin rot infection that needed to be treated by proven prevention and treatment methods (not just aquarium salt). This poor lady is obviously convinced her poor betta is biting itself (no evidence is shown) when it is obvious the Betta has tail rot, likely here from Aeromonas bacterium: YouTube; Olaf is tail bitingCarl
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Post by bettarescue on Mar 14, 2018 22:51:19 GMT -5
Boo-ya! Happy to see this Carl, I have seen many things that have slid through FB groups you have updated in the articles to directly speak to the issue, ones which commenters slide opinions by sleazily as fact, which aren’t. This topic in specific is very hazy and offen Betta owners in specific will accept tail biting as an easy explaination for something much more detailed and specific (such as poor water conditions needing correcting, Columnaris or aeromonas induced fin rot).
👍🏻 Awesome and needed update!
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Post by Carl on Mar 15, 2018 8:54:16 GMT -5
Boo-ya! Happy to see this Carl, I have seen many things that have slid through FB groups you have updated in the articles to directly speak to the issue, ones which commenters slide opinions by sleazily as fact, which aren’t. This topic in specific is very hazy and offen Betta owners in specific will accept tail biting as an easy explaination for something much more detailed and specific (such as poor water conditions needing correcting, Columnaris or aeromonas induced fin rot). 👍🏻 Awesome and needed update! Thanks! I just yesterday added a couple more references as to the fact in science it is the obligation of those stating a accepted scientific theory/principle is incorrect to prove themselves. So in other words it is not for me to prove something that has long been accepted, yet these people constantly think I have to defend myself over & over, whether it be stress related Betta tail biting or even more long proven science based principles such as in lighting (PUR), the need for DI water in aquariums, and more. The lack of allowing themselves to be mentored in these groups is another serious issue IMHO. I learned a lot from mentors and was corrected manya time by them too. Carl
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