| Eric
Life's too short to sweat the small stuff. This board is "small stuff" with regards to LIFE!! Yes, it can begin to consume one's time and energy. It also becomes like "a bible" to some. Here's a piece of "free" advice-so take it for what it's worth - step back for the holidays, learn to think about what you are posting BEFORE you post it and again after you've typed it but before you hit the submit button. It is clearly understandable that you have a lot of passion about this hobby at your age. It's been a long time ago for me, but I still remember when... The hobby is still an addiction for me and will probably always be. I still get carried away and so do my emotions - especially when someone challenges something I've come to believe as fact that is proven wrong. If you get complacent in your thinking that you have enough of the answers, stop and think again. YOU WILL NEVER HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS. Things keep changing and unless you can change with them, you and your thinking will get left behind.
There are quite a few scientific minds on the forum. Some have very different points of view on the science of the hobby. This can make things very confusing for many. Take them with a grain of salt. Pay attention to your fish. They are your scientists (I'm not making fun of any of the science guys here). They will tell you when something is wrong (usually). Of course, someone will think, well if they look fine all the time, then I guess I'm doing everything right. Not necessarily so. Just keep your maintenance routine (whatever it is that is successful) and don't deviate from it.
Anyway, Eric, I'm rambling on again here. You're right, you should be enjoying your teen years. Yes, you've found something to be passionate about. So do others but in different ways. Doesn't make what you do wrong or right. It's just what you like to do. If someone else doesn't like it, well, let them find something they do like and move on. Reflect on what you want the hobby to be for you, and then go for it.
Have a happy holidays
Mike |