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Re: Substrate Desiderata

Gomberg recently mumbled something about a substrate desiderata...
is this what you had in mind, Dave? 

                      ~ Substrate Desiderata ~

Go placidly amid the claims and counterclaims and remember what peace there
may
be in proven ideas.  As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms
with all experts.  Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to
others, 
even the dull and the advertisers; they too have their story.  Avoid wordy
and 
authoritative persons, they are vexatious to the spirit.  If you compare your 
aquarium to others you will become vain and bitter; for always there will be 
greater and lesser substrates than yours.  Enjoy your achievements as well as 
your plans.  Keep interested in your own substrate, however humble; it is a
real
possession in the maddening search for perfection.  Exercise caution in your 
fertilizer additions; for the world is full of hidden phosphates.  But let
this 
not blind you to what beauty there is; many people have pristine plants but 
everywhere is potential for algae.  Do not bleach.  Especially do not feign 
expertise.  Neither be cynical about heating coils for in the face of all 
argument and hypothesis they are as mysterious as the stars.  Take kindly the 
council of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of newbies.  Nurture 
stored nutrients to shield you in sudden misfortune.  But do not distress 
yourself with imaginings.  Many fears are born of ill-founded logic and local 
fish store clerks.  Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You 
are a child of the universe. No less than the gravel and the laterite; you
have 
a right to be here.  And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt your
plants
are growing as they should.  Therefore be at peace with your aquarium,
whatever 
you perceive it to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy 
confusion of life keep peace with your substrate.  With all its sham,
drudgery 
and broken dreams, it is still a nutrient source.  Be careful.  Strive to be 
happy.   
                               with apologies to Max Ehrmann (1872-1945)


George Booth, Ft. Collins, Colorado (booth at frii_com)
  Back on-line! New URL! Slightly new look! Same good data!
    http://www.frii.com/~booth/AquaticConcepts/