tanked show responds to criticism

fab1971 · Sep 15, 2011

I set my tank up with livestock in 3 days, no problem. Dry rock and dry sand. Put in 4 fish + clean up crew and a red shrimp after 3 days but unfortunately 1 of the fish died (jumper). No other deaths or problems associated with the tank and it's been running smoothly for 6 months now. I can actually see it being done in one day by seeding live rock and bacteria in one day, as long as it's not too fully stocked. Waiting a month or two to cycle, imo, is ridiculous. Especially if you're making it a fish only tank.

GR808 · Sep 16, 2011

I think we should just ignore what they should do or shouldn't do.
For one, it's their show, they can do whatever they want.... It's entertainment for pete's sake...
Imagine yourself not as a reef hobbyist but just at home flipping through channels. You run across Tanked and wonder, hmmm interesting. They have a sense of humor, they have a sense of business (a good one at that), and they have stories that will keep you glued to the tv.. also as a non-hobbyist you're amazed at the beauty they create as well as the smiles. Now that's entertainment, isn't that the reason we buy huge flat screen tvs and surround sound so we can be entertained???

hbboarder87 · Sep 16, 2011

I love it I can't wait for the next episode.

lerchcon · Sep 16, 2011

i thought we got the bigger tv and surround because we are all going blind and deaf :). I guess a small piece of me just wishes I could afford to say I had one of their tanks :). but it is ok I will be happy when I can say I have a tank lol

fsu1dolfan · Sep 16, 2011

GR808 said:
I think we should just ignore what they should do or shouldn't do.
For one, it's their show, they can do whatever they want.... It's entertainment for pete's sake...
Imagine yourself not as a reef hobbyist but just at home flipping through channels. You run across Tanked and wonder, hmmm interesting. They have a sense of humor, they have a sense of business (a good one at that), and they have stories that will keep you glued to the tv.. also as a non-hobbyist you're amazed at the beauty they create as well as the smiles. Now that's entertainment, isn't that the reason we buy huge flat screen tvs and surround sound so we can be entertained???

Thats my biggest thing with this show...i have so many friends and family that really love the show. They have no clue what it takes to truely run a salt water tank let alone a reef tank but they watch for the enjoyment factor. I can tell you this if it was just informational, we would be the only ones to watch and it wouldnt be a show. Honestly i think we should be thankful that we have the background knowledge to what they are doing. The only thing that truely can be critized of they show is that they are a little corny at times...but they are growing on me!

Paul_N · Sep 16, 2011

fsu1dolfan said:
Thats my biggest thing with this show...i have so many friends and family that really love the show. They have no clue what it takes to truely run a salt water tank let alone a reef tank but they watch for the enjoyment factor. I can tell you this if it was just informational, we would be the only ones to watch and it wouldnt be a show. Honestly i think we should be thankful that we have the background knowledge to what they are doing. The only thing that truely can be critized of they show is that they are a little corny at times...but they are growing on me!

+1 Billion. When I tried to explain my system to my wife she would get this glazed over look in her eyes that said," Ya, whatever, that's nice just make sure you have some pretty fish and coral"...lol Honestly being that I already know what it takes to setup a reef system, I'm not sure I would watch more than one or two shows if it had too much information on the process. I enjoy the over the top stuff and goofy humor.

gannmann9876 · Sep 16, 2011

I think the show is neat. Some of the tanks they build are pretty cool. It looks like they use strait tap water to fill the tanks. I have wondered about how they treat the water and introduce so many fish so fast.

angrycubano · Sep 16, 2011

I can understand both sides of the argument, but let's stop thinking that TV should be responsible for what people do or how they do it. Each and every human being is responsible for his or her action...PERIOD. We've lived in a world where mankind has gotten used to blaming everyone else for their follies instead of accepting FULL responsibility. It doesn't take a genius to understand that when you buy living things as pets, they require proper care and maintenance.

As for the show, I enjoy it for what it is: showing killer tanks that people with lots of coin can afford. My $.02

poolkeeper1 · Sep 17, 2011

A better name for the show would have been Tanks of the Rich and Famous, People seem to crave this type of making things look like they are not in reality. Building Acrylic tanks is not all fun and games as they make this appear and months of work is crammed in 20 second bytes. It's amusing but far from a reality show JMO
Bill

Reef Keeper 18 · Sep 17, 2011

I was a little critical at first but Ive talked to people who talked to him personally. Plus the new episodes of the show seem better

revhtree · Sep 17, 2011

Yea he's a nice guy for sure.

poolkeeper1 · Sep 17, 2011

revhtree said:
Yea he's a nice guy for sure.

Got to love the NYer's, Never meant they were anything but entertaining just wish the show was more realistic about the challenges of Saltwater tanks so people have a better understanding on just what it takes to be successful.
Bill

TinaFoster · Sep 17, 2011

I agree, Bill. I worry that people watching this and always thinking they'd like to try it but heard it was too hard will go out and set up a tank and toss in a bunch of life the first day, then end up killing them all. It isn't said anywhere that this stuff is time-lapsed or to expect a cycle especially if adding corals and other sensitive inverts. I know it wouldn't be intentional but it could and likely will happen.

SRT80 · Sep 17, 2011

I imagine if someone new goes into a shop like AC or Emerald Bay and start buyin' a tank, heater, filter, substrate, salt, rock, etc. and then goes "now lets go pick out some fish"....they would be corrected and told the proper way.

Now if someone goes into Petco, it might be a different story. But you can't blame the show Tanked. People should still do research.

Steve

GR808 · Sep 17, 2011

SRT80 said:
I imagine if someone new goes into a shop like AC or Emerald Bay and start buyin' a tank, heater, filter, substrate, salt, rock, etc. and then goes "now lets go pick out some fish"....they would be corrected and told the proper way.

Now if someone goes into Petco, it might be a different story. But you can't blame the show Tanked. People should still do research.

+1 I totally agree
I didn't watch Pit Boss and go out and buy a pit bull..... I don't watch Yard Crashers just so I can go out and buy a whole new backyard...... I don't watch Orange County Choppers so I can go out and buy a chopper.....

SRT80 · Sep 17, 2011

Haha, and don't go to a storage unit auction thinkin' your gonna get rich!

Steve

Akwarius · Sep 18, 2011

Everyone is correct that the show doesnt necessarily have to be responsible for educating future enthuisasts about the technical aspects of the hobby or about reef sustainability. But the potential is there. I guess we will just have to wait for a spin-off show for that. "Reef Housewives of Jersey Shore". All I know is everytime I watch "Tanked", my wife hounds me about getting a fish that would wipe out my reef. No honey, we can't have a sweetlips, grouper, sohal, puffer, etc., etc., etc!

Aquaph8 · Sep 18, 2011

You know the saying, if you dont have anything nice to say. Thats how I feel.

lerchcon · Sep 18, 2011

where as i dont miss an episode, I would have to disagree with the whole " if you dont have anything nice to say concept." This is a forum, forums can be used to voice an opinion, nothing more, in the end it is just one opinion. As time goes by you can definately change an opinion of something after giving it all perspectives and maybe seeing it from another point of view, you may not have seen in the first place. If you disagreed with a co worker or family member you would let them know right? So although you may not like the opinions of some, and you may not share some views, in the end we are not in a world where everyone gets told what they want to hear. either way they gain popularity and reviews by us disagreeing with each other. People talking bad about the show still gives them Hype for lack of better word, we still help with their reviews in the end. Even negative reviews can be positive promotion of the show, because i may say" hey this show tanked is bad" then who i told that to will watch and tell ten he loved it, in the end by the end of one season a million people have now heard of the show. I am rambling now hopefully my point gets across in a positive light.

TinaFoster · Sep 18, 2011

Naturally some of us are going to disagree with the show. We're hobbyists. Our mission is to promote the hobby in a way that more interested folks learn to keep a healthy tank. We don't want to see imminent death, and we know that there will be for some undeserving creatures who are going to get bought because it's that easy. It doesn't mean we want the show banned. It could be done better with just a few disclaimers. And there are critics of all of these reality shows. They're often closer to the real side of things and don't want to see disaster in ways because they know what can happen. We know what can happen and it's our duty to educate other interested potential hobbyists.
We can take the stance that it's not our tank and ours is fine, but that's not very responsible in the grand scheme of things.
lerchcon, I agree entirely! Well said.