Not giving salt water advice.

[robbrouse]

I just read a post were Paul said he will not give advice,

The only thing worst is when you are trying to get advice and no one seems to answer you.

I may not have the best tank or the latest and greatest stuff but still have questions. Sucks when you can not get advice.

 

[Tahoe61]

I did not read the thread but I do not think it was started with that intent, perhaps I should go look more closely. I have noticed there is a ton of wonderful knowledge here on reef2reef to be had and those that give assist without attitude. Personally I love to offer assistance if it's on a topic that I have first hand knowledge of. As far as seeking assistance I tend to reseach any questions I have, and usually only post for assistance if I am unable to track down the answer. No one should feel uncomfortable asking questions.

 

[robbrouse]

I agree to a cretin point... Some time you just need or want some help and researching can take forever.

 

[StevenBell]

Even if you have done your research sometimes its just nice to have the input of other hobbyists as well and hear theyre stories about something similar.They may know something the text book doesn't!!!

 

[robbrouse]

Very well said Steven Bell.

 

[StevenBell]

Thank ya much!

 

[Tahoe61]

I agree to a cretin point... Some time you just need or want some help and researching can take forever.

I tell what burns out long time hobbyist the fastest when it come to providing assistance is spoon feeding. Part of the passion of this hobby is doing the research, getting down and dirty with books or just going out on a limb and doing some experiments. To those that have been at this for decades remember there were no forums, we learned by trail and error. We devoured resources where we could find them in our quest for knowledge.
As I posted earlier, never feel uncomfortable asking questions, but be specific in the question, do put a little research time prior to posting. There are only so many times I will open a thread titled "how long should I wait to stock my tank"?

 

[StevenBell]

That is a very valid point T.In the defense of the new hobbyist though they may not know where to begin the search for theyre answers.They are just looking for a place to start!

 

[Tahoe61]

Even if you have done your research sometimes its just nice to have the input of other hobbyists as well and hear theyre stories about something similar.They may know something the text book doesn't!!!

Posting a question and engaging in a discussion on a topic are two different things. By reading others post even if I am not looking for that information I learn so much. Enjoy the interaction between member participating in a thread makes forums enjoyable.

 

[StevenBell]

Another very valid point Sir!

 

[robbrouse]

I look at the forums like they the book story some times its easier to just ask for advice than look through the 200 books on the subject.

 

[Tahoe61]

Another very valid point Sir!

Thank you.

My point is there are a lot of people that will provide assist, it may not be as immediate as one might like. Also asking and seeking assistance is encouraged and most enjoy contributing from what I can tell. Experienced hobbyist expect that chemistry may be a challenge and individuals will seek out specifics on different specimens. My only preference is that if you are going to start another thread on Cryptocaryon irritans please know something about the parasite or even that it is a parasite.

 

[Palting]

C'mon guys, you need to know Paul. Read through his posts. Regardless of what you say he posted, once you read through his posts you will see he does give advice. Sometimes contradictory, often tongue in cheek, but always amusing.

Going from that point and moving to the general point of giving advice, I do not believe there is anyone here who selfishly only seeks answers to his own questions without contributing their own advice when they know the answers to some other questions. If you ask a question and get no answers, it may be that it's a slow day for posting, or that no one looking at the question knows the answer or is confident enough to answer the question. But, to know the answer and not give it? I don't think so.

There have been times when I posted what I thought was a well thought out answer or advice on a problem, and then there is no response from the original poster. Not even a thank you. Those times, I wonder why I even bothered to help, when the person asking the advice doesn't give a hoot or appreciate it. But, I still answer the next question I believe I know the answer to, and that next person may say thank you. And that one thank you will carry me through several other posters who don't say thank you.

 

[eliramos]

C'mon guys, you need to know Paul. Read through his posts. Regardless of what you say he posted, once you read through his posts you will see he does give advice. Sometimes contradictory, often tongue in cheek, but always amusing.

Going from that point and moving to the general point of giving advice, I do not believe there is anyone here who selfishly only seeks answers to his own questions without contributing their own advice when they know the answers to some other questions. If you ask a question and get no answers, it may be that it's a slow day for posting, or that no one looking at the question knows the answer or is confident enough to answer the question. But, to know the answer and not give it? I don't think so.

There have been times when I posted what I thought was a well thought out answer or advice on a problem, and then there is no response from the original poster. Not even a thank you. Those times, I wonder why I even bothered to help, when the person asking the advice doesn't give a hoot or appreciate it. But, I still answer the next question I believe I know the answer to, and that next person may say thank you. And that one thank you will carry me through several other posters who don't say thank you.

agreed!

 

[LunaticFringeInc]

Well said StevenBell, I couldn't agree more. I do a ton of research and have a considerable amount of experience. Despite I often have questions still. The more I learn about this hobby the more I realize I don't know!!! Sometimes, I just need confirmation from others that I am headed in the right direction I want to go to get the results I am looking for. We just have to keep it in perspective and realize that there are a lot of ways to have a great reef tank and very few sure fire ways to have a bad one! What works for some of us may not work for everyone of us as each tank is very unique and very different despite the many similarities they may share.

 

[Zero Nitrates]

Well said StevenBell, I couldn't agree more. I do a ton of research and have a considerable amount of experience. Despite I often have questions still. The more I learn about this hobby the more I realize I don't know!!! Sometimes, I just need confirmation from others that I am headed in the right direction I want to go to get the results I am looking for. We just have to keep it in perspective and realize that there are a lot of ways to have a great reef tank and very few sure fire ways to have a bad one! What works for some of us may not work for everyone of us as each tank is very unique and very different despite the many similarities they may share.

Exactly!