Am I a jerk?

[Breakthecycle2]

Stupid title, serious question. I see so many pictures posted that make their tanks look like crap. Algae everywhere, sand covered in brown etc etc. I would never let someone look at my tank like that, let alone post a picture. Am I wrong for being that way?I feel snobbish even saying that, but that's just me. Am I alone the one that feels they need to be on their "A" game before showing the tank off?

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I'm guilty of thinking it, but I bite my tongue....it's a skill I've learned being married

 

[Breakthecycle2]

I've never said anything to anyone. I am married too, newly actually. Maybe I should learn that skill!

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Oh, you'll learn...one way or another LOL

 

[Joshky]

The reality is we all get algae at one point or another, might not get out of hand, or it might be what leads you to quit the hobby altogether. People shouldn't feel self conscious about showing their tanks on an online forum, that's silly.

 

[erk]

It's nice looking at the beautiful tanks, but those with rough looking tanks can't turn the tanks into beautiful tanks without showing us their ugly tanks. Need to be able to give them criticism because they may not see what those with experience can see. But, I do think people should do more research and do their best before showing off their tank.

 

[ngvu1]

If you have a wound and you keep covering it up and not let the doctors see it, unless you know what to do, it will just get worse right? Those people I think seek advice and sometimes it is hard to help without seeing what is going on....They took a chance to hopefully get some useful advice, not always the case, but who knows....

People are not so mean when they see ugly tanks or tanks with issue. They often chime in to help and sometimes offer free help....

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I will say this about R2R. Compared to other online reef forums, if I wanted to show off my algae-ridden tank, R2R would be the place to do it. The people here are generally very nice, helpful, and usually less critical than on other sites.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I'm glad people share their reef tanks with us. Some have better (more honed) skills than others and are able to present their reef tanks better. I for one am glad there's no requirement for what kind of reef pics can be shared...a lot of us might not make the "cut" Remember, most of us are here not to show off but to share.

 

[ReefMadScientist]

Married, 2 year old boy, adopted 15 year old, two dogs, job, other hobbies....I am not worried about algae. Gives my snails something to do.

 

[dball711]

My objection is when folks post pictures of frags for sale loaded with various algae and apastasia...

 

[Perculap]

This is a bit refreshing, because sometimes I'm a little self conscious about how my tank looks too!

Question to the folks who have large mature colonies, Acros galore.

Do you tanks always look this way? Is it all staged, like instagram? Or do your tanks also have their ebbs and flows? Please make me feel a little better about my tank, lol.

 

[ATB USA]

My objection is when folks post pictures of frags for sale loaded with various algae and apastasia...

They could do like some and post good pics that are NOT what they are actually selling.

 

[CoralClark]

Oh, you'll learn...one way or another LOL

Learn it fast my friend!

 

[Lesley]

This is a bit refreshing, because sometimes I'm a little self conscious about how my tank looks too!

Question to the folks who have large mature colonies, Acros galore.

Do you tanks always look this way? Is it all staged, like instagram? Or do your tanks also have their ebbs and flows? Please make me feel a little better about my tank, lol.

I don't have Acros galore but I do have an algae free set up that I spend lots of time on. Yes it always looks nice because I like to keep it that way, but in saying that I have had ebbs and flows.
I've lost a whole tank of stock to ich, I have recently lost 4 of my fav corals to an unknown "thing". I have had 200ltr of water on my floor.
So although the tank always presents nicely, you can walk into the house at any time and not see algae or green glass, not everything always goes right. I do post my failures though, I am not to scared to talk about the stupid decisions or mistakes I have made.
And as stated earlier, this is the forum to do it because I don't think I have every been hammered for my stupidity.

 

[dbl]

I have no evidence or proof of this, and it's merely speculation, but I would venture to guess there is a far greater number of tanks that are not "magazine worthy" than there are that would qualify for the cover. But I would also guess most everyone would like their tank to look its best, so they post to get input - which is a very good thing. We learn by our own experiences first, but then look to others for guidance and advice. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so why not post it up. With the wealth of knowledge perusing this site, they might get lucky and catch the eye of someone that can offer some assistance.

What I personally find more distracting is when they ask for help and say my water is "fine". I think when asking for help, the OP should list all parameters (at least those they have the ability to test for) and all other pertinent information the first time.

All this is just my opinion and it's probably stupid! But then again, I'm still waiting for Reef Hobbyist to call, and it doesn't have to be for the cover.

 

[AlexG]

I think its all in the eye of the beholder. I personally just dont post anything if I see a tank I think looks bad unless the author of the post wants that opinion given. I know early on when I had aquariums I was proud of the tank no matter how it looked and would post some ugly pictures.

 

[kimba]

There are two sides to this coin.

One side: people like me who have a probem and need help.

It took me a LONG time to get the guts to post the picture of my briopsis infested tank. But I needed help. Years ago (when my tank was full and beautiful) I felt the same- why would someone post that. Then life got crazy, tank got neglected and here I am, swallowing my pride and posting ugly pictures of my tank.

Second side: ppl who don't have a clue their tank is crappy and post it anyway. Sometimes you gotta wonder.

 

[ermartin]

Stupid title, serious question. I see so many pictures posted that make their tanks look like crap. Algae everywhere, sand covered in brown etc etc. I would never let someone look at my tank like that, let alone post a picture. Am I wrong for being that way?I feel snobbish even saying that, but that's just me. Am I alone the one that feels they need to be on their "A" game before showing the tank off?

It all depends on the context of the post . If someone is posting it to HERE is my full tank shot in a show me your tank thread i would never post something that was infested. but if they are asking for help i think its almost required to see what they are really dealing with. My biggest pet peeve is when someone is asking for help and they always say " My water parameters are perfect" Well guess what... if your fish or coral are dying your wrong they are not perfect. The second most annoying thing is when someone is given advice that was requested and there response is " this aint my first rodeo I have had many successfully tanks... having had tanks for 40 years and reeftanks for 20 years i consider myself a novice at best.

 

[Mike in CT]

Most people ditch the hobby after a large outbreak out algae or the like, so am I going to be ashamed that my tank does not look like a TOTM when I show a picture of it and there's some algae you can see.... Nope.
I mean seriously, if every ones tank was picture perfect, we really wouldn't need this forum.
Then again I don't brag either... Lol