I think this whole thread is the biggest problem for many of us "newbies" and for us trying to do our research. There are too many know it all's and too much asinine attitudes that creates a separation between us trying to learn and you who preach patience but then complain of our basic questions when we ask someone we feel we can trust. You may be frustrated with our basic questions but many of us research hours online and we get unlimited answers that we try to apply to our situation.
I am grateful for all advise I receive, but the reality is, I consistently find that there is many "experts" that don't have simple answers or solutions and yet posts like these, in my opinion, are demeaning to us new to this and not as biology versed as many of you.
Alternatively, I would never consider posting something like this, in a field where I am an expert, for all of the "newbies" to feel inferior to you, the all knowing. I am learning, that's why I am here, I will make mistakes, I am sure all of you have too. I've had fish or corals die, so has the "experts" I speak too, we "newbies" are not here to hurt your hobby, we are here to enjoy it too. In my opinion, the only true experts are the ones that live under the water, not me or you. So please, be respectful of our "basic" questions and no one should have to pay any dues, this is not an exclusive fraternity of CEO's or something you guys own, it's a hobby, we should all treat it that way
Well, I'm certainly happy that you took the time to reply. And certainly a bit disappointed that, in my opinion, you completely missed the point. If this came across somehow as demeaning or "exclusive" I apologize. I don't think it did. It wasn't to bash newbies, or to discourage them from asking the important questions. It was to "preach" the need to do basic research, take SOME personal responsibility before jumping in- and for those of us in a position of "experience" to understand that we have a
responsibility to give new hobbyists an instructional framework to achieve success. That occasionally means being firm and saying,
"What are you thinking...?" It's never, ever been about "bashing" anyone, and quite honestly, I'm a touch offended by your assertion about this point...If you read my body of work in the hobby and industry, you'll realize I'm the
last person who would ever engage in that. I will poke fun at the absurdities of the hobby, at all levels. I have no ego - nor do most of the experienced reefers here- that needs to be satisfied by "whacking" a newcomer and a seemingly simple question...totally not the point again...It's not some exclusive "fraternity" we are part of...But it is an important group. A group of people who are responsible stewards of precious animals from a very precious ecosystem...As "expert" (which I know almost none- everyone is learning), reefers, we ARE protecting the hobby, sir. Why? Because what happens if we
don't give proper guidance (not demeaning or dogmatic attitudes)- meaning the recommendation to do at least
"some" homework before buying a tank- is that we are endangering the very existence of a hobby, and industry, and most important, the reefs themselves...Why? Because the general public doesn't see the good work done by the many successful reefers at all experience levels on forums like this- who walk the walk and live sustainability and responsibility. What they see are guys like "Snorkel Bob" pinning the demise of the world's reefs on the aquarium hobby. They see buffoons on TV reality shows building phone booth tanks and throwing sharks in them on day one...They see the worst of what the smallest minority of people in the aquarium world do- and draw their conclusions from that. The hobby is assaulted from many angles by people who are completely ill-informed. We don't need "our own" to provide any "fuel" for that ridiculous fire.
So, yeah- if we don't tell a newbie to pick up a book once in a while, to at least get
some familiarity before he or she forks over the money- then we are simply perpetuating the very worst of the stuff that the non-aquarium world perceives about our hobby. That's not snobbery or elitism. It's common sense.
All that being said, I do understand your frustration with information derived from research that you do...It is important to take most information wit ha grain of salt, so to speak...You need to look at some of the basic stuff like the nitrogen cycle, etc- that are "truths" or "constants" in the biological world (BTW, I am NOT a biology major- I have a Marketing degree)...and then talk to experienced reefers who are working with this stuff in daily practice. Easier said than done, of course. What irks me is when I would get a call from someone who invested thousands of dollars in a reef system and had no clue whatsoever about the basic principles of aquarium care. That's not snobbery. Thats disgust at stupidity and laziness. This is not like buying a car, where you don't
really need to understand the merits of say, a single or double overhead cam engine to appreciate what it does in the road. An aquarium is a closed biological microcosm, subject to the laws of nature, which have been around for eons- and there is an absolute responsibility of EVERY reefer or aquatic hobbyist to at least have a basic familiarity with some of the basic principles that govern their aquariums BEFORE they start throwing thousands of dollars and the lives of helpless animals into the equation. If that comes off as a bit "snobby", that wasn't the intent. However, if this "attitude" saves the lives of just a few precious animals that would otherwise have been lost because someone felt that they didn't have a personal responsibility to educate themselves just a bit before jumping in, then it's all good. Thanks for voicing your opinion!
Scott
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