[Philosophos]

I feel as if high tech is getting turned in to a straw man here.

What high tech is not:

High tech does not have to mean high light, or high growth. It doesn't even mean huge fert doses all the time; some are lean. It does not mean worrying about part of the system failing, striving for stability is a very important part. It does not necessarily mean high upkeep; PMDD with 1.5wpg or EI with an automatic water change system and dosing pump can make it so some technophiles hardly have to touch their tank outside of trimming.

What does it mean then?

It's the use of CO2 methods, measured fertilizer doses, man made substrates, etc. Some times this involves some fancy test kits, drop checkers, par meters etc. depending on how involved one wants to get. Some of us have small labs sitting around in cupboards because we enjoy it. Others of us have complete labs because we're insane.

Most people don't go insanely high tech, it's not for everyone. What I do find is that people who are capable of running a high tech system are far more competent planted tank keepers than those who stay with low tech the entire time.

By having the understanding and skill required to run a high tech system, low tech becomes effortless. I have low tech tanks that never see algae problems, and require hardly any upkeep. I did not plan them, and they didn't even have a nutrient rich substrate until yesterday. These are grow out and quarantine tanks.

Some people aren't quite so serious about the hobby. High tech will never be their thing, and low tech will always keep them happy.

-Philosophos