What's Your Opinion?

Lionfish Lair · Dec 28, 2015

Be nice.....

AlexG · Dec 28, 2015

I think the most difficult part of this hobby is the fact that there are so many ways to maintain a reef. It is easy to find people that use similar or the same methods with sucess for some and failure for others. These successes and failures will drive strong opinions at times because failures in this hobby can cost thousands of dollars. People dont want to see someone else fail the same way they did so they might oppose a method that has worked for others. I try to keep an open mind on different topics because it is impossible to know it all. I have had success and failures which I draw opinions. I tend to stay away from the big debates unless it is something very out of place. I like to give my opinion when I have had experience with the subject and I have confidence that it is a good solution or opinion.

malira · Dec 28, 2015

scardall said:
You have just proved my point and you have an opinion I can use moving forward " it's better to lose an argument against someone who knows what they're talking about than win one against someone who doesn't." Yes, I do like this quote as it applies. Thanks for the enlightenment. [emoji14]

I don't read for intent, I read for content.

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 28, 2015

malira said:
The problem isn't being "highly opinionated" the problem is some people do not know how to accept another person's opinion. They are so invested in their way of doing things that the minute someone questions, disagrees or offers another way they get "upset" and lash out.

The thread about what you wish they wouldn't sell for SW aquariums. One guy posted LEDS and people wanted to know why. He basically said this is what I think no explanation needed. A few people wanted scientific data, where did he get off coming to his opinion, the would not let off.

You don't have to agree with someone's but by that same token a person does not have to justify their opinion either.

There are facts in this hobby and opinion and some people cannot distinguish between the two.

no he bashed others for their opinions, they used his opinion with no facts as a question as to why he was asking in the first place. because he was asking for opinions and what formed them.
the OP in that seemed like the only one who didnt get the spirit of that thread.
an argument or discussion is an exchange of opinion (formed by learned fact and experience) to further learning.
Having only been involved in forums a few months my opinion has changed quite a bit. Facts that I was dead sure of have been proven wrong.
It's most interesting to me that when many times a hobbiest with years of experience and references to the research they've done is ignored in favor of someone with the most likes , better picture and speaks in the terms of the status quo, is most often believed. But that's human nature. Actually if you dig into it. Apes do it too.

Most surprising is the scientists and academia who will refute the findings of a hobbyist. Even if they have facts. Were I a scientist, Id be more interested in finding out why something works instead of saying it doesnt, even though I haven't, because I was taught it wont.

On the other side of that, who would believe a scientist who doesn't rely on the fancy gadgets and bottles of stuff, but instead relies on the natural process because he understands the science of it.

Reef keeping is to me a craft. We take science and craft them to make a thing. metals, pottery, construction are the same. Technique improves, materials improve. And science changes. So does the craft.

I guess Im ok with being wrong. But many of the popular methods and status quo are even wronger.

IMO

Aussie paul · Dec 28, 2015

I agree that's why I regard some peoples opinions higher than others for example if 1 person say's 1 thing and you chime in with with a complete different answer I'd trust your opinion. That's not to say I don't value the wrong opinion that's how people learn Randy

Brandon Donaldson · Dec 28, 2015

edfishbluefish said:
Why are we so highly opinionated in our beliefs about this hobby. It seems like you can't mention your likes without someone vehemently disagreeing with you, and ready to take your head off. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like this past month or so I've seen strong debates about the following subjects:

LIGHTS - LED's versus T5's / Metal Halides
CHINA - If it's made in China, it's cheap
POWERHEADS - Gyre versus the rest of the world
SALTS - Mine is better than yours
AND MORE......

AND, do you put any weight into the believability of the responses because of who the poster might be (please, no specific names)?

Please only respond to why we are so strongly opinionated. If this thread turns into a debate about specifics of the above subjects, or specific members, I'm asking the [HASHTAG]#Mods[/HASHTAG] to shut it down immediately and move it out. Let's keep it civil!

I thank it is were you get the information like people you follow on youtube and your local FS you hold there opinion very highly there for you will argue the point because you got it from professionals and people you trust

tdjma · Dec 28, 2015

redfishbluefish said:
Why are we so highly opinionated in our beliefs about this hobby. It seems like you can't mention your likes without someone vehemently disagreeing with you, and ready to take your head off. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like this past month or so I've seen strong debates about the following subjects:

LIGHTS - LED's versus T5's / Metal Halides
CHINA - If it's made in China, it's cheap
POWERHEADS - Gyre versus the rest of the world
SALTS - Mine is better than yours
AND MORE......

AND, do you put any weight into the believability of the responses because of who the poster might be (please, no specific names)?

Please only respond to why we are so strongly opinionated. If this thread turns into a debate about specifics of the above subjects, or specific members, I'm asking the [HASHTAG]#Mods[/HASHTAG] to shut it down immediately and move it out. Let's keep it civil!

I agree with you whole heartedly and truly they're are millions of combinations that work and technology is changing this hobby daily . I remember when marineland powerheads were state of the art as were power compacts the greatest improvement ever! Lol

tdjma · Dec 28, 2015

reefwiser said:
Paul, peoplei have different views and experiences. Someone cares about certain features or parameters and has found it important to watch for that in their past experience. I try everything at least a few times and might then try it again a couple of years later. Its three strikes and your out for me. LED's I just started playing with used MH and T5 for years. So the jury is still out but in the long run LED will win by default I am afraid so I decided this year to learn how to use them. In aquarium forums we all have different experience levels and I have found that every tank can be different in how it reacts in chemistry biology and equipment. What works on one tank might not work on another tank. While we try to nail down what is needed to keep corals and fish happy there is always someone doing the complete opposite having great success. So there is never a 100% correct answer for what works.

Your correct LED will win for one reason Mercury in fluorescent and metal Halide here isba list from the Epa .

Mercury-containing light bulbs include:
fluorescent bulbs, including compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs);
high intensity discharge (HID) bulbs, which include mercury vapor bulbs, metal halide and high-pressure sodium bulbs, and are used for streetlights, floodlights, parking lots, and industrial lighting; and
neon/argon lamps commonly used in the electric sign industry.

TheEngineer · Dec 29, 2015

Got another one... Why do people reply with an ID for anything along with a picture justifying their ID and it is blatantly wrong?

For example,

Can someone ID this?

Reply:
That's an asteroid.

If you don't know, say it's a guess! Don't state something as a fact and then insist on a course of action based on your guess.

Lionfish Lair · Dec 29, 2015

Great..... I laughed coffee all over my laptop.......

<_<

143MPCo · Dec 29, 2015

icecool2 said:
Got another one... Why do people reply with an ID for anything along with a picture justifying their ID and it is blatantly wrong?

For example,

Can someone ID this?

Reply:
That's an asteroid.

If you don't know, say it's a guess! Don't state something as a fact and then insist on a course of action based on your guess.

that's more of a pet-peeve - no?

pet-peeve = something that a particular person finds especially annoying.

Lionfish Lair · Dec 29, 2015

It deserves an exception (in my opinion anyway), it was the first thing to make me laugh this week.....

TheEngineer · Dec 29, 2015

143MPCo said:
that's more of a pet-peeve - no?
pet-peeve = something that a particular person finds especially annoying.

Maybe.

143MPCo · Dec 29, 2015

Lionfish Lair said:
Great..... I laughed coffee all over my laptop.......

<_<

Pull the keyboard off, rinse it off with tap water let it air-dry or better yet blow off the water with compressed air, reinstall

.

Lionfish Lair · Dec 29, 2015

I like my way better, turn it upside down and shake, pray it doesn't start to smell like curdled cream and ignore it until I can't.....

143MPCo · Dec 29, 2015

Lionfish Lair said:
I like my way better, turn it upside down and shake, pray it doesn't start to smell like curdled cream and ignore it until I can't.....

ok, we agree to disagree

.

Diesel · Dec 29, 2015

Lionfish Lair said:
Great..... I laughed coffee all over my laptop.......

<_<

Are you positive it was coffee??

tdjma · Dec 29, 2015

icecool2 said:
Got another one... Why do people reply with an ID for anything along with a picture justifying their ID and it is blatantly wrong?

For example,

Can someone ID this?

Reply:
That's an asteroid.

If you don't know, say it's a guess! Don't state something as a fact and then insist on a course of action based on your guess.

Looks like one of my Kidney stones ! Felt like the first picture though!

Armon_p · Dec 29, 2015

We are opinionated because we all start off aquariums differently. We all use different methods and always get different results which give us experience. Most people use experience and some use solid facts wether it is from science journals or whatever. The people that use other people's experiences and build up a almost full proof tactics can also work but it likely can change. The ones that use pure facts likely have better judgement on what to do and how to do it.