In this editorial I want to talk to our readers about where we have been, where we are, and finally ask for suggestions about where we are going. It has always been my goal, from the days of The Marine Aquarist, through Aquarium Frontiers, to The Advanced Aquarist Online to publish cutting edge information for all aquarists, but especially for both amateur and professional experienced aquarists.

A glance at our regular columnists – Julian Sprung, J. Charles Delbeek, Scott Michael, Rob Toonen, Doug Robbins, Greg Schiemer, Martin Moe, Randy Holmes-Farley, and Frank Marini – makes it clear that we have assembled a significant number of the best in our field.

It has always been my belief that the more we know about our hobby the better we serve the fauna and flora we maintain in our captive environments. Also, the more we understand the more enjoyable our hobby is to us. A scuba diver approaching a patch reef underwater sees a dark mass. As the diver swims closer details of the living reef become apparent, and still closer the behavior, patterns, and coloration of the wild life is clearer still. However, the complex biology of the reef is only apparent to the educated observer, and it’s the educated observer that recognizes the most and receives the most pleasure. It has always been our goal to provide the tools of inquiry and information to enhance our husbandry skills and our satisfaction with our hobby.