fish essay!

[m1nh0h]

hello everyone! i'm applying as a transfer student right now and wrote about my hobby in reef keeping! would u guys let me know what you think about my essay or any other suggestions!


Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

When my friends see my marine aquarium, they see a strange hobby, bright colored fish, and some strange corals. When I look at my marine aquarium, I see a unique hobby, an ecosystem, and the ability to recreate life in my room.

Several years ago one of my friends took me to the fish store and as soon as I walked in my attention was captured by the bright lights, strange looking corals, and multi colored fish. Enticed to take a closer look, I stepped closer and closer to the glass wall that separated me from the marine life. As I was staring into the aquarium I noticed tiny “shrimp looking” creatures moving on the sand and the ornamental rocks. The fish store owner soon explained to me that the sand and ornamental rocks were actually called live sand and live rock and is used to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and the “shrimp looking” creatures are called copepods. Once these basic stages of the ecosystem are established, the marine tank will slowly develop and take care of itself, keeping the water stable and allowing fish and corals to survive in a tank.

This was one of the qualities of a marine aquarium that won me over to start the hobby and a quality that I can also personally relate to. Just as an established marine aquarium has the ability to take care of itself, I too have been able to independently manage my life despite cirumstances in my life. In the past few years I have faced several hardships that were often challenging and at times discouraging. After my parents separated my senior year in high school there were times where I felt alone, confused, and even angry at life. However, I confronted my family issues head on and was able to not only manage my life, but also learn from the circumstance as well. As the youngest sibling in my family I never imagined being the one everyone turned to; however, by dealing with my family situation I learned to be a leader by being there for my parents through their struggles and taking care of their needs. Although my family situation is not ideal, I am thankful for it because it has made me into the strong individual I am today and has taught me to be caring and compassionate to others.

After countless hours of commitment to keeping a marine aquarium, I believe that maintaining a saltwater tank reflects my willingness to be dedicated and committed to the things that I am involved or interested in. For example, although a saltwater tank is established, there are still possibilities that the fish and corals might get sick and die for various reasons such as a change in the water temperature or parameters, new diseases being introduced from new livestock, or even an inexperienced hobbyist experimenting with his tank. when situations like this occur it is up to the hobbyist to find a solution. Being involved with fish tanks for the past two years, I have encountered several fish disease and other problems that could have killed my fish and corals. However each time a problem would occur, I was diligent in examining the negative symptoms of my tank and working to get rid of the problem until it was gone.

This quality is also one that I have applied to my life as well. For example, many people have told me that moving from a UC to community college would be a big mistake and that I would become unmotivated and find it difficult to do well academically. Often this is the case for many people but my experience at community college was one that has been successful. At community college I was able to take various classes and despite all the reasons for not doing well I was able to be diligent and committed to my studies. Add a little bit more??? Asdfasdf

Keeping a marine aquarium has become fun and at times rewarding hobby for me. Through my commitment and dedication I have been able to see my simple fish tank turn into a thriving ecosystem. Seeing my fish tank now reminds me of the circumstances and negative forces that I have faced in my life and how I have been able to not only overcome it but also how I have been able to use it as a tool for making me into a better person.

[crankbait]

Cool. You get an A+ from me

[JosephGun]

Really interesting! Thanks a lot

[Oldreeferman]

Nice post and it explains very well what regular folks & Reefers see from both sides, the learning curve, dedication, patience, and sometimes disappointment are all emotional for sure especially in the beginning. An interesting essay i give it an A too!

[taillonjohn]

thanks for sharing, well done. A+

[Timfish]

A+ from me also!