I was a saltwater beginner 5 years ago now, maybe 6. My closest LFS is an hour away from me, wasn't able to ask them very many questions. I would look up every single little thing on all the forums. Nobody in my family or friend circle has a salt tank to answer questions I had. The check the box for a mentor could be a great thing, or a horrible thing. In the have Alexa do your homework era, the youth don't want to figure stuff out on their own. The knowledge is out there already on the threads, you just have to put in the time searching, reading, & forming your own opinion on what might work for you. I spent a year doing research and writing things down before I even got my first tank wet. Filled an old tablet with hundreds of screenshots of stuff I liked. A reef isn't a video game that you can replay the mission every time you get killed to get that trophy at games end. For the mentor getting a mr. 20 questions every 10 minutes could become frustrating. A in depth tank start guide would be nice here, I read lots of them. To make them feel welcome enough to join the R2R family would be more important than what lights, what salt, etc. I knew nothing about saltwater and was intimidated to join because of that. I just joined this (only) forum a couple months ago because of the info and willing helpful reefers that share facts and opinions in a friendly way. If a noob catches the bug and immerses themselves into obtaining knowledge & a mentor passionate about the hobby hook up, great. Someone who wants to be told how to run a reef, urgh. Thank you RS, I've used lots of your advice over the years and glad your love of the hobby equals knowledge that some of us will never achieve, you just give freely. Sorry it got so long, just my experience. I guess to make them feel welcome to join the club and not lurk is my point if anybody writes a article.
