I keep getting asked: “can a beginner in the aquarium hobby start right out of the gate with a botanical method aquarium?” Well, my first thought is to say “No!” However, the reality is that, if one is willing to take the time to get past the superficial aspects of what we do, and learn the methodology, the “how’s and whys”- the craft- it is possible. Of course, you need a few philosophical anchors, too…