Discriminated for not having a science background/education?

[sally666]

Should I rehome and return my saltwater tank because a group of people with science backgrounds said I don't have the education and knowledge about marine biology? They are right (that I am dumb), but I really want to keep my aquarium. I've follow all the guidelines and instructions on proper practices for saltwater aquariums, but I don't have a science degree in the end. Any advice?

 

[smitten with ocean life]

not sure im following you again. no you dont have to have a degree to have an aquarium. if that was the case a lot of us wouldnt have one. someone outright called you dumb?

 

[phillyb614]

That would be like someone with a botany degree telling me I shouldn’t have a garden. I’d tell them to mind their own business and worry about something else.

 

[Angel_Madness]

Huh? Who are those people saying only those who have marine science/marine biology degree can have a reef tank?

 

[sally666]

That would be like someone with a botany degree telling me I shouldn’t have a garden. I’d tell them to mind their own business and worry about something else.

Thanks! This makes me feel better. I experienced a lot of discrimination at the Steinhart Aquarium as a volunteer, because I don't have a marine biology degree. I used to volunteer there to take care of the fish, but the experienced marine biologists over there treated me differently in a negative way.

 

[Tahoe61]

Water off a duck's back. You be you.

 

[Angel_Madness]

Thanks! This makes me feel better. I experienced a lot of discrimination at the Steinhart Aquarium as a volunteer, because I don't have a marine biology degree. I used to volunteer there to take care of the fish, but the experienced marine biologists over there treated me differently in a negative way.

Ok this is different story, owning your personal tank is different from taking care of public aquarium. But anyway, even if those people with experience and degree in marine biology should not discriminate or look down on other people. Not unless you are making decisions that are not inline with what their programs.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

without knowing both sides of the story its hard to say what happened.
IF a person at an aquarium was walking around answering questions like they did have a degree i can see why that would be a problem.
but to have your own personal tank- have at it and enjoy! no degree required!

 

[Fish Fan]

Thanks! This makes me feel better. I experienced a lot of discrimination at the Steinhart Aquarium as a volunteer, because I don't have a marine biology degree. I used to volunteer there to take care of the fish, but the experienced marine biologists over there treated me differently in a negative way.

I'm sorry for your experience there, but here at R2R I think we strive to be welcoming, and no one here *needs* a bio degree to participate

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Thanks! This makes me feel better. I experienced a lot of discrimination at the Steinhart Aquarium as a volunteer, because I don't have a marine biology degree. I used to volunteer there to take care of the fish, but the experienced marine biologists over there treated me differently in a negative way.

I’d go out of my way to say most of us here on R2R don’t have a biology degree. You don’t need any sort of biology degree to be able to enjoy a reef tank! I’m sorry your experience was bad over there!

 

[Kingsley_Reef]

One thing I’ve learned in my profession,the hobby or just life in general……just do your thing knowledge is absorbed over time especially if you surround yourself with the right people

 

[crazyfishmom]

Science is a terrible hierarchical field and the more appropriate letters behind your name the more highly regarded you are… whether your performance and knowledge merits it or not that’s a different story. I am a scientist by training and have worked with many different people with and without PhDs. I can honestly say that for every excellent PhD level researcher, I have met a terrible counterpart and at the same time worked with many non PhDs who were brilliant and excellent at their jobs.

Enjoy your reef tank. Inform yourself as much as possible and you’ll be successful.

 

[Slocke]

Should I rehome and return my saltwater tank because a group of people with science backgrounds said I don't have the education and knowledge about marine biology? They are right (that I am dumb), but I really want to keep my aquarium. I've follow all the guidelines and instructions on proper practices for saltwater aquariums, but I don't have a science degree in the end. Any advice?

They’re just mad that they spent more money on their degree then they’ll ever make in marine biology

 

[Cool tangs]

If there's one thing I've learnt in life is to be humble, degrees don't mean anything. It's the person taking in the knowledge and how they use it and learn. In my field it use to be degree this degree that. Now I don't even get asked about it. Oh and sadly all that theory I learnt in uni... Well hey guess what, I didn't even know how to do anything practical when I actually got a job lol. Unless your a doctor, lawyer, nurse, or doing science that actually makes a difference, biggest scam!

You don't need a degree to have a reef tank, sadly some people get on there high horse and think they are better then everyone else because they need a piece of paper to tell them so

Sounds like your on the right path, research in your own time and enjoy the hobby. There are so many paths to success, build your own and don't let others put you down for it

 

[BlueSkyAT]

Keep at it and keep learning. Enjoy your aquarium adventure.

 

[exnisstech]

Give me real life experiences. I have an 8th grade educational and I think my tanks are doing pretty awesome.
I think every field has snobs that like to look down on people to make themselves feel special.

 

[JayM]

Ask them if they were born with all of their marine biology knowledge, or if they learned it along the way.
Or tell them they should stop making coffee in the morning unless they're a barista.

 

[AlyciaMarie]

If a formal education was required to enjoy this hobby, I sure wouldn't be here.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Ask to see their tank. Make them show their receipts. I’ll bet they quiet right down. BTW, a public aquarium and home aquarium can be two separate sets of skills. The degree may be required for a career, but not for a hobby.

 

[X-37B]

If you needed a degree this would not be a hobby. I have alot of respect for anyone who can make it through college and into the work force and succeed. It was just not my thing.
Asking for help regardless of the letters you have behind your name is not a bad thing. We all can learn if we realize that asking for help is how you learn regardless of the job or hobby, or the letters behind your name.