Mentoring new reef keepers?

[charles pullen]

#reefsquad

What would you all think of having a mentor program?

We have so many new people joining lately, many who join and their first posts are about things gone horribly awry or they are panicked and think they have.

I have been doing this all along via PM.

One reason is, we have way too many cooks stirring the pot and it confuses people.

It's best that a person pick a mentor that knows what they are doing and stick with them for a while at least to follow things to either success or someone else needing to step in.

We could do a # like #mentor to call for someone to step in.

What are your thoughts?

Yes I would like to have someone to ask questions too I currently don't have any trouble but I know that the only dumb question is one you don't ask

 

[Big G]

No, well respectfully, no. We get the idea of mentoring and no one is mad or upset by you bringing up the idea, but the site is HUGE and it would be a logistical mountain to manage.

I personally do like the idea and you have valid points, but it may be very difficult to pull off.

Please don't take it personally and everyone's input is welcome.

It's a great discussion!

+1 ^^^ great, friendly and important discussion.

 

[jsker]

Pick a couple of members/squad members/ leaders/staff and use the @ before the handle or PM them

I know that the only dumb question is one you don't ask

The questing not asked is the dumb question Always ask on R2R we are nice here and help

 

[count krunk]

I skipped to the end, but how does someone become a #reefsquad member?

I get I don't stand a chance until I really get a successful reef going. But it is something I'm interested in.

I'm not going to change my behavior, I mainly float around the member tanks forum and offer suggestions or ask questions.

Just curious if this is an elite group I can join! You know, something to aim for.

 

[jsker]

I skipped to the end, but how does someone become a #reefsquad member?

I get I don't stand a chance until I really get a successful reef going. But it is something I'm interested in.

I'm not going to change my behavior, I mainly float around the member tanks forum and offer suggestions or ask questions.

Just curious if this is an elite group I can join! You know, something to aim for.

It helps if you have a nice tank, but not a requirement. There are many things the Reefsquad Leaders, and Reefsquad members look at.

Participation with the members is a big one, helping, greeting, knowledge and that can be in something besides just reefing, for example DIY, Plumbing, etc dealing with reefing.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Yes I would like to have someone to ask questions too I currently don't have any trouble but I know that the only dumb question is one you don't ask

OK, I'm just going to point out Charles (as well as a couple of other posts in this thread) that are new here and would like to have a mentor. So how many people do we leave behind that don't want to ask the dumb question in an open forum? I

You can say the only dumb question is the one you don't ask, but that doesn't solve the problem of there being people who are somewhat intimidated by forums like this.

I see the issue of running it in a big forum and the need for rules, and how many would we need. It's a real issue. And I for one think we on the Reef Squad need to be a bit more understanding. After all, we are all out going know it all showoffs (oh darn, did I really type that? Where's my eraser?)

 

[NY_Caveman]

I have read this and there are many great thoughts and ideas to digest.

An idea I had while reading would be to create a part of the site where folks write up how they start a reef tank. We could call it The Mentor Files or something like that. ReefSquad members could kick this off, but it should be open to everyone (I know, I am giving myself homework).

After reading Lasse’s method recently I have considered mapping out what I do. Why don't all of us with experience do this?

I envision a template. A combination of formed drop down menu options (Primary Lighting -LED/MH/T5, Rock - Live/Dry, etc.) mixed in with personal text and thoughts on starting a reef tank (not necessarily maintaining, but how we set up, cycle and plan our stocking). The drop downs would make it easily searchable for newbies (and oldies) to find systems that match their needs. These would become mentor templates. Folks with issues along the way would have a better idea who to tag in their general posts without the mountain of individual mentoring mentioned. It would also highlight ReefSquad if we were to embrace it and set an example by sharing our methods through the template. It could serve as the starting point that new reefers with various plans need.

 

[Subsea]

I have read this and there are many great thoughts and ideas to digest.

An idea I had while reading would be to create a part of the site where folks write up how they start a reef tank. We could call it The Mentor Files or something like that. ReefSquad members could kick this off, but it should be open to everyone (I know, I am giving myself homework).

After reading Lasse’s method recently I have considered mapping out what I do. Why don't all of us with experience do this?

I envision a template. A combination of formed drop down menu options (Primary Lighting -LED/MH/T5, Rock - Live/Dry, etc.) mixed in with personal text and thoughts on starting a reef tank (not necessarily maintaining, but how we set up, cycle and plan our stocking). The drop downs would make it easily searchable for newbies (and oldies) to find systems that match their needs. These would become mentor templates. Folks with issues along the way would have a better idea who to tag in their general posts without the mountain of individual mentoring mentioned. It would also highlight ReefSquad if we were to embrace it and set an example by sharing our methods through the template. It could serve as the starting point that new reefers with various plans need.

It would take a webmaster guru to put all of that together. The concept is great.

 

[DSC reef]

OK, I'm just going to point out Charles (as well as a couple of other posts in this thread) that are new here and would like to have a mentor. So how many people do we leave behind that don't want to ask the dumb question in an open forum? I

You can say the only dumb question is the one you don't ask, but that doesn't solve the problem of there being people who are somewhat intimidated by forums like this.

I see the issue of running it in a big forum and the need for rules, and how many would we need. It's a real issue. And I for one think we on the Reef Squad need to be a bit more understanding. After all, we are all out going know it all showoffs (oh darn, did I really type that? Where's my eraser?)

I'm sure you mean it in a joking manner but I disagree with that stereotype as I'm sure some members due truly think that. I'm sorry Ron but just because some of us have a different opinion does not make us less understanding. All of us on the squad try hard every single day to help all we can here. I think this forum is better as a team and community than one single person.

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

I have read this and there are many great thoughts and ideas to digest.

An idea I had while reading would be to create a part of the site where folks write up how they start a reef tank. We could call it The Mentor Files or something like that. ReefSquad members could kick this off, but it should be open to everyone (I know, I am giving myself homework).

After reading Lasse’s method recently I have considered mapping out what I do. Why don't all of us with experience do this?

I envision a template. A combination of formed drop down menu options (Primary Lighting -LED/MH/T5, Rock - Live/Dry, etc.) mixed in with personal text and thoughts on starting a reef tank (not necessarily maintaining, but how we set up, cycle and plan our stocking). The drop downs would make it easily searchable for newbies (and oldies) to find systems that match their needs. These would become mentor templates. Folks with issues along the way would have a better idea who to tag in their general posts without the mountain of individual mentoring mentioned. It would also highlight ReefSquad if we were to embrace it and set an example by sharing our methods through the template. It could serve as the starting point that new reefers with various plans need.

This is what I had in mind when I mentioned my Build Thread Summary ide....but better.

 

[NY_Caveman]

It would take a webmaster guru to put all of that together. The concept is great.

I thought that was @mdbannister ;Woot LOL

This is what I had in mind when I mentioned my Build Thread Summary ide....but better.

Yes @Js.Aqua.Project ! I am so sorry. I did not reread the whole thread to find it, but it was your post that put it all together for me. Awesome idea. Thank you for reminding me.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I'm sure you mean it in a joking manner but I disagree with that stereotype as I'm sure some members due truly think that. I'm sorry Ron but just because some of us have a different opinion does not make us less understanding. All of us on the squad try hard every single day to help all we can here. I think this forum is better as a team and community than one single person.

Don't get me wrong here, I agree completely with you about the community theory of how this all works.

The point I'm trying to make is; just because you decide to take on a mentor, in no way means you can't still take FULL advantage of the community! I sense you feel that if someone has a mentor that that's what they are stuck with. I see a mentor as a person who helps get the noob started and more comfortable with the very basics and then leads them to the broader picture offered by the community. It's not one or the other, it's both working together.

 

[Greg Gdowski]

Aren't there only 10 people or so on the reef squad? IMO, that is about an order of magnitude to small for a mentoring network for a community like this.

Here are a few reasons why mentoring would be helpful.
1. What turns a new person away from R2R is when arguing starts in a thread they started amongst "experts" that have strong convictions and opinions about their techniques or beliefs. We had a thread like this recently where two or three members sparred back and forth making the pages feel very unfriendly. One-on-one mentoring --- would alleviate this problem.

2. New people often do very obvious things wrong (we all do). This results in many pages of dialog... when a new expert enters the thread they don't read it entirely. This results in numerous repetition and distraction from many people. Its like having 100s of parents yelling at you instead of two. Mentoring solves this problem.

 

[Brew12]

Aren't there only 10 people or so on the reef squad? IMO, that is about an order of magnitude to small for a mentoring network for a community like this.

Here are a few reasons why mentoring would be helpful.
1. What turns a new person away from R2R is when arguing starts in a thread they started amongst "experts" that have strong convictions and opinions about their techniques or beliefs. We had a thread like this recently where two or three members sparred back and forth making the pages feel very unfriendly. One-on-one mentoring --- would alleviate this problem.

2. New people often do very obvious things wrong (we all do). This results in many pages of dialog... when a new expert enters the thread they don't read it entirely. This results in numerous repetition and distraction from many people. Its like having 100s of parents yelling at you instead of two. Mentoring solves this problem.

Actually, the Reef Squad has over 80 members. Some are more active than others and some tend to stay in the areas they enjoy more. But, still, an order of magnitude too small.

Your first point is something that gets regularly discussed. We want to encourage healthy and passionate debate. It can move the hobby forward. Unfortunately it can cross the line of civility. It can also get complex enough that people will get turned off by. One on one mentoring may alleviate this problem but it may also prevent the new reefer from having the best information. As established as this hobby is, we are still learning new things and it is a challenge to keep up. An example of this can be seen in what is currently going on in the fish disease section. The accepted best practice used to be to QT in copper or CP and then treat other symptoms as they appeared. Then Uronema became the number one killer in QT systems for some members. The recommendation went to trying to use CP as much as possible because it treats Uronema. Then we find out that CP may break down in a QT system too quickly to be completely effective. This is the most current example but these kind of things are constantly being discussed and it would be hard for a mentor to keep informed on everything.

Your second point is difficult. I know I do my best to try and catch up before I join in on a thread but I can't say it always happens. Especially when questions are asked on threads that have 100+ pages instead of new threads being created. I'm sure many of us have room to improve along these lines.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Aren't there only 10 people or so on the reef squad? IMO, that is about an order of magnitude to small for a mentoring network for a community like this.

Here are a few reasons why mentoring would be helpful.
1. What turns a new person away from R2R is when arguing starts in a thread they started amongst "experts" that have strong convictions and opinions about their techniques or beliefs. We had a thread like this recently where two or three members sparred back and forth making the pages feel very unfriendly. One-on-one mentoring --- would alleviate this problem.

2. New people often do very obvious things wrong (we all do). This results in many pages of dialog... when a new expert enters the thread they don't read it entirely. This results in numerous repetition and distraction from many people. Its like having 100s of parents yelling at you instead of two. Mentoring solves this problem.

Greg, that is so well put! I'm with you 100%

And having a mentor does not, as some seem to think, limit people from going to the open forum and asking questions, especially if they question the mentor's advice! It's just not a one or the other, is an all at the same time, best of both worlds!

 

[Imnyifan]

Some start a saltwater version of Wicapedia,

 

[NY_Caveman]

instead of new threads being created.

I suggest this to people in their build threads often. I feel a little weird doing it (like I am not helping), but I feel more rude to summon ReefSquad to a build thread (and perhaps a long one at that). Everyone should understand several experts follow specific forums. Posting a question in that specific forum will always generate an alert to those experts.

 

[JacquieBeginnerReef]

#reefsquad

What would you all think of having a mentor program?

We have so many new people joining lately, many who join and their first posts are about things gone horribly awry or they are panicked and think they have.

I have been doing this all along via PM.

One reason is, we have way too many cooks stirring the pot and it confuses people.

It's best that a person pick a mentor that knows what they are doing and stick with them for a while at least to follow things to either success or someone else needing to step in.

We could do a # like #mentor to call for someone to step in.

What are your thoughts?

I think it’s a fabulous idea. As a newbie at this I have soooo many questions, but am hesitant to post on here as i worry my questions are too basic or have already been answered in previous threads so I should know the answer, etc. As with any mentorship I disagree that it would cause issues with difference of opinions because the mentee listens to the advice and information provided, but doesn’t have to always agree. It’s a conversation - that’s what it’s all about - reefs are different, humans are different, and therefore it’s okay for opinions to be different. However the mentor can provide the tools, info and advice for the mentee to make their own informed decisions.
I wasn’t aware of the #reefsquad prior to this thread, so perhaps this is what I need, but yes - I think it’s a good idea .

 

[Foothill Corals]

The reefsquad is great and I think a mentor program would actually be even better.

The problem that I currently see (arguments) is that there are many ways to run a reef. The answers to a lot of problems will vary depend on the reef tank in question, its inhabitants, how it is set up and ran. A lot of nubes get stuck on the latest bandwagon in the hobby, I've noticed even some reefsquad members do this. People that have been around for years have seen the bandwagons come and go and know what practices work and what doesn't. I think it would be better if one person could guide them to the type of tank they want without all the distractions from people with different opinions or that have no experience with that specific set up but they wrongly suggest (with good intent) something that worked for them but may not apply in all cases.

 

[Greg Gdowski]

As an advanced aquarist that is a "noobie" to this crowd.... Let me throw in some noobie insight.

1. Reefsquad --- sounds like mod squad, police squad etc, etc... it does not sound like Mentor squad or advice squad. Quite frankly, I thought they were moderators.

2. Where is the list? How would I even know who those people are unless I happened to see one of their posts with a banner under their name?

3. #reefsquad..... really -- we expect a noobie to know to put that in a post. That sounds like.... I'm calling the moderator to intervene on this post.