Questions

[PolypPocket]

I am usually lost reading threads


One thing I like about the forums is I have relative anonymity and therefore don’t feel as embarrassed asking people to dumb it down for me.

Please don’t feel like you need to leave, and don’t feel bad for not always understanding the terminology or even some of the concepts. I promise you at one point in their lives even the most schooled scientist geniuses needed to ask for explanations on the “simplest” topics. That’s how we learn, and we shouldn’t feel bad for trying to learn by asking questions.

If anyone acts put out because they’re asked to explain something then THEY are the ones with the problem.

You matter and are valued, and probably could teach me (and many others) some things. We all can contribute

 

[smitten with ocean life]

ahh come on @Freenow54 ! youve come too far to back out now. just keep asking questions! thats how we all learn!

 

[Freenow54]

Agreed! The other day we crossed paths in the thread about UV, I found the arguments going on in there to be hard to learn anything from and expressed my frustration and you (@Freenow54) actually took the time to take responsibility for it (even though it wasn’t really your fault, but I appreciated the gesture) and apologized and you never see that happen online, I thought it was really cool of you. So I agree, you should stay, you are the kind of person I want to be confused about stuff alongside. Maybe we can help each other get less confused

I feel bad for the people who want to learn even the smallest of spark of something that may be all they need to have the light come on and give them the drive to learn more, only to have the start of what may be a perfect opportunity closed down by someone how wants to highjack the thread to argue about the most foolish things without contributing to the conversation . Then the person who asked the original question is wasting / or we are wasting their time , and they learn nothing . I have had that happen before , and don't have the skills to turn the conversation back to a positive experience for them . Very frustrating . Like I said to my Son once . I am not a know it all. I asked a lot of questions from those that know. So I know a lot because of them.

 

[Freenow54]

I am a highly educated person (but not in this field) and have been in this hobby for almost 30 years, and I don't understand half the stuff people talk about around here. I've been on this forum for a long time (and on RC for a long time before that) but mostly read threads in an effort to learn and don't post that much.

You are a lot braver than I am by participating in conversations about complex topics. Perhaps (and I mean this kindly) you sometimes wade into conversations and then find yourself in over your head? You are a valuable member of this community. Maybe instead of leaving do what I do for a while, just read the threads and learn what you can, chime in if you have experience to share, and enjoy watching other people argue with each other and be glad you are not a part of the fracas!

Good Advice Thanks

 

[Freenow54]

I'm pretty sure that, especially if you struggle to understand certain terminology, you can benefit this community by reminding everyone when something requires an explanation. I understand this might feel awkward, but asking questions will help so many people. I'm 100% sure you're not the only one who doesn't get every detail.

You could ask almost anyone on the street to explain their job, and within the first minute you would probably hear something you don't understand. When people deal with something daily, they simply forget that not everyone has the same knowledge. Especially on R2R, where you might be talking to a complete newcomer to the hobby or a highly educated specialist, it becomes very difficult to find the right tone.

I have stated that a few times . I wish people would Qualify Themselves if you may. I forget sometimes , and forget to state that what I say is not coming from my head but others who are experienced , and or have experiance.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

There are threads I start reading and quickly leave because it's over my head.

That is how I feel on some of the ultra-scientific threads. I'll start to understand it, then super-intelligent people start to jump in, and then I just get lost. However, that is what makes the world go round, so I am happy for it!

 

[VintageReefer]

Many people here overcomplicate things. Yes there is a science behind this hobby. But you don’t need to be a scientist to be successful. You don’t need much at all to be successful. Just some background knowledge, experience, and basic understanding. Keeping coral doesn’t have to be complex

I don’t test this tank
There is no slimmer, no filter roller, no reactors
It not even a tank, it’s a 12$ Home Depot bin
Generic canister filter
Bare bottom
One powerhead

Water change once every 2-3 months

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Many people here overcomplicate things. Yes there is a science behind this hobby. But you don’t need to be a scientist to be successful. You don’t need much at all to be successful. Just some background knowledge, experience, and basic understanding. Keeping coral doesn’t have to be complex

I don’t test this tank
There is no slimmer, no filter roller, no reactors
It not even a tank, it’s a 12$ Home Depot bin
Generic canister filter
Bare bottom
One powerhead

Water change once every 2-3 months

That’s a horrible example. Send them all to me!

 

[Reefer Matt]

I think some people subconsciously overcomplicate reefing so they have something to blame when nature ruins their plans. My motto is “We can’t control life, only contain it”. Don’t let others who are trying to rationalize their failure stop you from learning from yours.

 

[VintageReefer]

Double post

 

[exnisstech]

I guess that's for you to decide, really. The only higher education I received was from the military. lol

If I read something I don't quite get, I use the internet to help figure things out. We're all here to learn from one another. :)

∆ This ∆ is what I do.
TLDR nothing meaningful just an old guy rambling.

My education stopped after 8th grade so I have a lot to learn. Part way through 9th grade I dropped out of school and went to work full time for the next 46 years. My parents and grandparents were blue collar workers with no formal education and I followed suit. Fortunately I have pretty good reading comprehension because at a young age I discovered reading fiction was a great escape from the daily crap of real life. I think I've learned as many new words as I have reefing info here in R2R. I'm still not sure why people needed to use those words when i know much simpler words that mean the same to me but when I see a word I don't know i look up the definition. My vocabulary has expanded exponentially and I am not a pedantic individual
My reefing methods are very simple compared to many. I avoid tech if possible because I see everything as a failure point. I don't have the patience or knowledge to build in redundancies so I just avoid adding extra points of failure to my systems. I spent most of my adult career diagnosing and repairing problems on autos and quite frankly I grew sick an tired of dealing with problems so anything I can so to simplify my systems I do. Many here are problem solvers and enjoy solving problems. Some to the point it looks to me like they are creating problems just to have something to solve. I don't need scientific proof to believe something and often I'll accept anecdotal evidence. I figure most things backed by science were probably anecdotal at one point. I know better than to get drawn into mental jousting like many of the intelligent people enjoy so I sit back and am entertained by those interactions and sometimes I even learn something.
I feel like a total idiot at times but that's because compared to many here I am. I know that and I have no shame. I spent my most of my adult life fixing things for some people who were so intelligent they couldn't put air in a tire. No thanks, I'll take my small dose of common sense and life experiences and keep plugging along.
I enjoy sharing how simple keeping a reef tank can be and I try to back that up with evidence using my systems as examples. My hopes are maybe someone as ignorant as myself may find some of what I say useful and realize it doesn't take a college degree in chemistry or math or a college degree at all to enjoy the hobby. But we are fortunate to have people that do have that education and knowledge and are willing to share it. Some can be condescending but if that's what it takes for them to feel good let them have their fun. Fortunately most are civil and I appreciate the knowledge they willing share with others even if I may not understand it all. I'm sure it isn't always easy trying to be patient and explain things to someone who doesn't grasp what they are being told. I know I've left shaking my head more than once trying to understand why some people make some things so complicated when they can be so simple. We need people figure out the mysteries of the universe but we still need people to clean toilets and sweep floors.
We're all just cogs on a gear but we are cogs on the same gear and we're all just along for the ride so i try to make the best of it.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I definitely fall into the “simple” reefer category! Maybe we need our own forum? Haha! JK.

 

[Freenow54]

∆ This ∆ is what I do.
TLDR nothing meaningful just an old guy rambling.

My education stopped after 8th grade so I have a lot to learn. Part way through 9th grade I dropped out of school and went to work full time for the next 46 years. My parents and grandparents were blue collar workers with no formal education and I followed suit. Fortunately I have pretty good reading comprehension because at a young age I discovered reading fiction was a great escape from the daily crap of real life. I think I've learned as many new words as I have reefing info here in R2R. I'm still not sure why people needed to use those words when i know much simpler words that mean the same to me but when I see a word I don't know i look up the definition. My vocabulary has expanded exponentially and I am not a pedantic individual
My reefing methods are very simple compared to many. I avoid tech if possible because I see everything as a failure point. I don't have the patience or knowledge to build in redundancies so I just avoid adding extra points of failure to my systems. I spent most of my adult career diagnosing and repairing problems on autos and quite frankly I grew sick an tired of dealing with problems so anything I can so to simplify my systems I do. Many here are problem solvers and enjoy solving problems. Some to the point it looks to me like they are creating problems just to have something to solve. I don't need scientific proof to believe something and often I'll accept anecdotal evidence. I figure most things backed by science were probably anecdotal at one point. I know better than to get drawn into mental jousting like many of the intelligent people enjoy so I sit back and am entertained by those interactions and sometimes I even learn something.
I feel like a total idiot at times but that's because compared to many here I am. I know that and I have no shame. I spent my most of my adult life fixing things for some people who were so intelligent they couldn't put air in a tire. No thanks, I'll take my small dose of common sense and life experiences and keep plugging along.
I enjoy sharing how simple keeping a reef tank can be and I try to back that up with evidence using my systems as examples. My hopes are maybe someone as ignorant as myself may find some of what I say useful and realize it doesn't take a college degree in chemistry or math or a college degree at all to enjoy the hobby. But we are fortunate to have people that do have that education and knowledge and are willing to share it. Some can be condescending but if that's what it takes for them to feel good let them have their fun. Fortunately most are civil and I appreciate the knowledge they willing share with others even if I may not understand it all. I'm sure it isn't always easy trying to be patient and explain things to someone who doesn't grasp what they are being told. I know I've left shaking my head more than once trying to understand why some people make some things so complicated when they can be so simple. We need people figure out the mysteries of the universe but we still need people to clean toilets and sweep floors.
We're all just cogs on a gear but we are cogs on the same gear and we're all just along for the ride so i try to make the best of it.

Isak Asimov

 

[Freenow54]

Many people here overcomplicate things. Yes there is a science behind this hobby. But you don’t need to be a scientist to be successful. You don’t need much at all to be successful. Just some background knowledge, experience, and basic understanding. Keeping coral doesn’t have to be complex

I don’t test this tank
There is no slimmer, no filter roller, no reactors
It not even a tank, it’s a 12$ Home Depot bin
Generic canister filter
Bare bottom
One powerhead

Water change once every 2-3 months

Lights ?

 

[DmitryB]

Many people here overcomplicate things. Yes there is a science behind this hobby. But you don’t need to be a scientist to be successful. You don’t need much at all to be successful. Just some background knowledge, experience, and basic understanding. Keeping coral doesn’t have to be complex

I don’t test this tank
There is no slimmer, no filter roller, no reactors
It not even a tank, it’s a 12$ Home Depot bin
Generic canister filter
Bare bottom
One powerhead

Water change once every 2-3 months

What did you use to take the photos? Under what light spectrum?

 

[Mongo1.0]

When the topic gets in too deep for me, I try to get the overall picture of what they are saying. My brain starts hearing the teacher in the Charlie Brown cartoons. The chemistry discussions are in that category. So, I look for the "if this happens, do this" Clift note version and put that in my notes.

 

[Danjoethepirate]

I seriously wonder if my existence here is worth it . I have a lot of respect for a few members , but the conversations they have are quite frankly over my head because of my lack of formal education . The language used is not translatable for me. I believe the education system is responsible creating this impasse. I regard it as a reality that is not necessary . Is it not possible to talk in a discussion in layman's terms to welcome those of us who are not formally educated in that particular field ? I may just throw in the towel sadly. Lasse , Bean and a few at least try .Thanks . The narrowing of the group is becoming evident

Have you learned anything? Has the forum informed any successes or helped explain any failures for you? Have you tried to help anyone else with a problem they might be experiencing? If the answer to any of those questions is yes, then yeah, it's worth it.

The measure of worth is subjective, but I bet most anyone would count any of those as a good barometer. If you don't understand something it's not always a failure on either party, learner or teacher. Some things don't translate for some people. I suck at abstract math but biology has always been pretty intuitive to me. I feel my way through almost as much as think. Not always a perfect system, but I get by with a little help from my friends @REEF2REEF

 

[Reefer Brent]

My tank looks like a 7 year old with an allowance runs it compared to most tanks on here. But my neighbors still go "oooh... awe... how do you do that" and I have fun with it.

I usually read as far as, this makes calcium go up,and this helps un$&++ what you just (@+_;3 up.

I like that on here everyone can take it as seriously as they want to, find useful information, and ignore the stuff that makes us go crosseyed.

Also I stopped entering contests cause the rules are too long lol.

 

[VintageReefer]

My tank looks like a 7 year old with an allowance runs it compared to most tanks on here. But my neighbors still go "oooh... awe... how do you do that" and I have fun with it.

I usually read as far as, this makes calcium go up,and this helps un$&++ what you just (@+_;3 up.

I like that on here everyone can take it as seriously as they want to, find useful information, and ignore the stuff that makes us go crosseyed.

Also I stopped entering contests cause the rules are too long lol.

 

[vittpsu21]

clarifications and tldr's go a long way, you can also (many are gonna hate this) take a post put it into AI and ask him to summarize what is being said. Then ask him to explain or clarify parts you don't understand.