Michelle Chen shares what she learned from maintaining the diverse marine life in her fish tank.
In elementary school, I became obsessed with fish tanks, and eventually, my dad and I bought a 10-gallon aquarium. I began researching the aquarium hobby, which led to an interest in freshwater ecosystems. While researching how to care for my fish and aquatic plants, I also learned about different ecosystems and biotopes around the world.
Setting up my own tank had seemed like the perfect way to recreate an ecosystem right at home. Some of the species I had learned about online became ones that lived in my bedroom. However, I quickly learned how unpredictable the new tank could be. The temperature would fluctuate, fish sometimes randomly hid, my water parameters would be off.
Taking care of the fish and plants taught me how to test different methods to see which produced the best results, and although there were frustrating setbacks – I once dealt with a month-long infestation of hydra, an immortal jellyfish-like creature, that ended with dog dewormer – they were an important reminder that I was dealing with organisms that are affected by factors outside of my control.
I didn’t create the perfect ecosystem at home like I had initially envisioned. Instead, I let ‘nature take its course.’ Although setbacks were frustrating, I learned to accept that the aquarium was so dynamic that there would always be things changing. And, unlike many other aspects of my day-to-day life, change in the aquarium doesn’t always happen quickly.
Oftentimes, when I feel like there’s an endless number of events happening during the school week, the aquarium is grounding. It’s only when algae has crept up along the glass again that I’m reminded of the changes that have been imperceptible. The tank’s slow but persistent growth inspires me to slow down and have patience, all while embracing its quirks that are out of my control. With a Perspective, I’m Michelle Chen.
Michelle Chen is a student living in the Bay Area. Other than aquariums, she enjoys painting and reading.