Lazy hobbyists

[CKW]

The one recurring theme I’ve noticed on R2R is. “What fish should I add to
My tank”. Really?? What ever happened to self research??? Reading, visiting local fish stores, visiting aquariums, imagining.
Instead of relying on some stranger deciding for you. Relying on the easy way out doesn’t equal learning!

 

[bast]

Not always, but sometimes the suggestions in those threads lead me down paths of learning about an organism I had never heard of or dismissed offhand previously.

 

[CKW]

You have a valid point. However, I’m mostly referring to the simple questions like “Can I add another skunk shrimp or is that a problem?” A little reading and self research would be more beneficial than asking a forum. BTW the answer is no they would fight to the death.

 

[vetteguy53081]

There are experienced hobbyists to offer suggestions as well as the purpose of a forum
You are implying to seek answers from LFS who often give poor advise and sources which may not be credible.

 

[Miami Reef]

What ever happened to self research??? Reading, visiting local fish stores, visiting aquariums, imagining.

Asking questions on threads is a form of research. I’d rather have someone ask questions than imagining or buy whatever they think is good out of fear that someone online will shame them.

Fish stocking is very nuanced. Even the pros have questions sometimes with fish stocking. It’s not only about the fish, but also the order of how they’re added also plays a big role.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

yeah trying to ask for advice from the lfs is hit and miss. you might get someone who knows what they are talking about and might not. you might end up learning the hard/expensive way. there are some lazy questions getting asked but a lot of them are trying to learn and thats what this is for:)

 

[davidm777]

New reefer here. I have a 20g. Even though I never asked what to add I was tempted. I ended up adding a dragonet sold by my LFS, they told me it would be fine. Needless to say, it didn't survived on my less than 1 year old system. I also added a lawnmower blenny. When the algee was gone I couldn't get it to eat vegetable pellets. By the time I got nori it was too late.
Tank size is a limiting factor. Maybe I should have asked the question. A few pointers to do my own research. I will take someone asking what to stock with over someone asking how to not kill something they already got.

 

[Staghorn]

I do my research, a big part of it is seeing what the opinions and practices of other aquarists are. There’s a wealth of knowledge on R2R,

 

[CKW]

Great!!! I got just what I was asking for. A little fire. Thanks for responding. I’ve been in this hobby for over 60 years. (I’m 85). Sometimes one has to poke the bear!! Thanks again.

 

[Reefering1]

I see both sides here. On one hand, people could know something about what they're asking about..
Not, "what fish to put in 20g?"; more like- "can this fish and that fish go together?"
Choosing fish is the fun part. If that doesn't get some effort, what will?

 

[Miami Reef]

Great!!! I got just what I was asking for. A little fire. Thanks for responding. I’ve been in this hobby for over 60 years. (I’m 85). Sometimes one has to poke the bear!! Thanks again.

Nice one. Ha

 

[Reefering1]

I see both sides here. On one hand, people could know something about what they're asking about..
Not, "what fish to put in 20g?"; more like- "can this fish and that fish go together?"
Choosing fish is the fun part. If that doesn't get some effort, what will?

Wait, I forgot "the other hand...


Nevermind, I can't think of anything.

 

[gbroadbridge]

The one recurring theme I’ve noticed on R2R is. “What fish should I add to
My tank”. Really?? What ever happened to self research??? Reading, visiting local fish stores, visiting aquariums, imagining.
Instead of relying on some stranger deciding for you. Relying on the easy way out doesn’t equal learning!

Nothing beats asking an experienced reefer for advice.

Retailers, AI, and anecdotes rarely, if ever, provide correct information.

 

[56longroof]

I kinda agree. While there's nothing wrong with asking for help or advice the best one can do is educate yourself. There are thousands of books and internet articles available.

 

[davidm777]

"the other hand...

Don't just jump straight to ask. Start the search and ask better questions. I am in a WhatsApp group and there was a guy asking how to use a tester. The instructions were visible on the very picture he used to show the tester. Needless to say he got roasted.

 

[painter1982]

The one recurring theme I’ve noticed on R2R is. “What fish should I add to
My tank”. Really?? What ever happened to self research??? Reading, visiting local fish stores, visiting aquariums, imagining.
Instead of relying on some stranger deciding for you. Relying on the easy way out doesn’t equal learning!

Isn’t that what a community is about? Getting opinions, getting help, getting advice but ultimately doing your own thing? Wouldn’t asking fellow stranger reefers be part of the research?

 

[Reefering1]

Isn’t that what a community is about? Getting opinions, getting help, getting advice but ultimately doing your own thing? Wouldn’t asking fellow stranger reefers be part of the research?

Sure. But, if someone is asking about their acro and been topping off with sw- some effort is missing...

 

[Crabs McJones]

What's the difference between walking into a fish store, or a library, or a reefing club, and asking the same thing vs posting on here asking the same thing? It's all still research. Asking people with experience their opinion and advice.

Isn’t that what a community is about? Getting opinions, getting help, getting advice but ultimately doing your own thing? Wouldn’t asking fellow stranger reefers be part of the research?

Agree 110%

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Kinda defeats the purpose of a forum if people can't ask questions about what they should do. New hobbyists are excited and want to be involved in a community. If they ask a question that has been answered hundreds of times, then let them do it. It allows them to get first-hand experience with other reefers and allows them to feel a sense of connection with a community.

For example. I rock climb (like most of you know). What if new people were never able to ask what shoes they should get, or how to do certain moves, because "it's already been discussed or just look it up"? You would see a lot of turn over for newer climbers as they would feel gate-kept out of the hobby.

I say if you want to ask a question here, ask away. Don't be afraid if it's been asked before.

 

[Reefing Madness]

The one recurring theme I’ve noticed on R2R is. “What fish should I add to
My tank”. Really?? What ever happened to self research??? Reading, visiting local fish stores, visiting aquariums, imagining.
Instead of relying on some stranger deciding for you. Relying on the easy way out doesn’t equal learning!

We all came here to help people with their questions, beginners don't need research, that is why we are here, to lend a hand with our knowledge of what we've witnessed and accomplished, so that they do not have to endure problems with theirs