Let’s pick a name for ourselves??

[Art]

I struggle every time I want to describe ourselves. What is a planted aquarium owner called that truly described our interest in the hobby??

Reef aquarium hobbyists are called “reefers”. General aquarium enthusiasts are called “aquarists”. Are we enthusiasts or hobbyists?

Let’s come up with an agreed name that fits who we are and let’s make referring to ourselves easier.

Let’s here your thoughts!!

I’ll throw out some options to chew on:

• Aquatic Gardeners
• Planted Aquarium Hobbyists
• Plant Nerds
• Plant Aquarists
• Wet Thumbs

What say you? Please help the community!

 

[*Ci*]

Good ideas!
How about:
- Planted Tankers
- Aqua Planties
- Aqua Scapers or just Scapers (easy to say and to the point, like “Reefers”)

 

[Koan]

Hmmm..

Shrimp keepers also call themselves Shrimpers.. Planters would also be funny

We have a similar dichotomy in bikes, road bicyclers are called Roadies (or "cyclists" ) and mountain bikers use use MTB.

One vote here for Planted Tankers:

1) has a nice meter to it,
2) right to the point,
and
3) "scapers" is just too precious it's like chewing foil

Also not for nothing aquascaping by definition is about hardscaping, AKA dioramas. Not plants!



Or, ranked choice voting #2, Planters

 

[ElleDee]

I would describe myself by saying I keep planted tanks and would refer to the community as a whole as "the planted tanks folks." "Planted tanker" is fine, I guess, but I wouldn't use it myself. I'm not against other people using it, but it makes me think of oil tankers or something.

I think "aquascapers" or "scrapers" applies to a subset of planted tanks folks, but not everybody. It's an artistic approach to the hobby with norms that come from a pretty narrow range of influences, and often but not always involves stylish photography for competition or social media. It's a useful term, but not all inclusive.

 

[Pepere]

struggle every time I want to describe ourselves. What is a planted aquarium owner called that truly described our interest in the hobby??

There are times, when fighting algae and problems, I think the best description would be “more than a little nutty”…

 

[Jeff Miotke]

I know I'm on the fringe but I settled on aquarium artist years ago. It means more than aquascaper, planted tank keeper or aquarist and is more meaningful when introducing people to what I do.

 

[ElleDee]

Let's be real though, to most civilians we're just people with fish tanks, whether or not there are actually fish.

 

[Unexpected]

At the end of the day, we are underwater gardeners.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Let's be real though, to most civilians we're just people with fish tanks, whether or not there are actually fish.

Is that saltwater or freshwater? What kind of fish are those?


Oh those plants are real?……cool?


Me:

 

[Kwyet]

I really like Aquatic Gardener.

 

[HarryL]

Let's be real though, to most civilians we're just people with fish tanks

So true, when I mention aquascape to friends, they ask if I put sunken pirate ship in it to make it look nice

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

So true, when I mention aquascape to friends, they ask if I put sunken pirate ship in it to make it look nice

There are people in my fish club that are flabbergasted that I have tanks with only plants and no fish

 

[Burr740]

- Planted Tankers

Always had this (singular) as my custom title on forums incl this one until I changed it recently. Probably still showing on tee pee tee

There are people in my fish club that are flabbergasted that I have tanks with only plants and no fish

Its funny the first thing most people say when they see my tanks is "where the fish at?" As if genuinely bewildered by this elaborate aquarium with no fish in it

My mind is like DO YOU NOT SEE ALL THOSE PLANTS?? lol What is wrong with you?!

 

[Tim Harrison]

Other than aquascaper, underwater gardener. Simple and apt description. Paints an immediate picture. Gets the conversation started in a less confusing way.

I usually follow up with, using aquatic plants to create a more natural environment for fish. Although the plants are often the main focus.

 

[GreggZ]

Whatever you call it, unless you are in the hobby no one cares!

I have people see my tank in person and I think when they leave they don't even understand what they just saw.

That being said I usually use "planted tanker".....but it cuts too close to some old tired forum.

So maybe "Aquatic Gardener" is better!!!

 

[Koan]

usually use "planted tanker".....but it cuts too close to some old tired forum

The post-trauma is real

 

[Tim Harrison]

I have people see my tank in person and I think when they leave they don't even understand what they just saw.

Beyond the initial curiosity, I think that's absolutely right.
We had some people round, their 7 year old pointed to my aquascape and asked his dad what it was.

'It's a. . . err, I'm not sure what it is actually. . .'