Suggestion for a sticky

[mcphock]

Hello all,

The marine hobby in general tends to be a pretty high turnover endeavor. In my few years here, I've seen countless folks come and go. The result is that we always have a decent contingent of new folks here. (which is good!)

In order for the 'vets' to best serve them and pass along their knowledge, I'd like to make a suggestion that every post for coral/fish/water/algae assistance include actual parameter numbers.

There is nothing that gets my goat like someone posting a help thread but writing that their parameters are "fine/good/perfect/fish store says good". Those are subjective evaluations and do not assist us into identifying the issue at hand. Objective based numbers will always provide a better starting point.

Clearly some folks are too new to know what testing is, or don't have kits or other such.... but I think this will make it easier for those wanting to help and should provide a faster response for those needing that help.

Discuss!

Edit:
Common examples:

"Help!! Algae is taking over my tank. I checked my 'parameters' and everything is good. What do I do?"</em>

Clearly something isn't right! Starting by listing what you NO3 and PO4 are, and we'll figure it out from there.

"Help! My corals are bleaching/dying/receding/melting and I dont know why!! What do I do?"</em>

No useful information. Again, post parameters and we'll get to the bottom of it!

 

[skriz]

But that would make too much sense..

 

[mcphock]

Perhaps it's time for a culture change on the forums

 

[mcphock]

Perhaps we need an Aquariums 101 thread.

 

[declanisadog]

I like it, but good luck getting people to follow. The people posting obviously haven't taken the time to research the importance of testing so why would they not overlook this before asking for help?

 

[mcphock]

Perhaps a culture change again...? Immediately refer all questions to the sticky if they don't provide relevant information for troubleshooting.

I don't want to penalize someone who doesn't know any better! But at the same time, it makes it much harder for us to help when they can't/won't research.

This is part of the reason why I refer people back to WetWebMedia all the time. (Outside of it being an outstanding resource [except for terrible formatting])

 

[mcphock]

Huh, I thought this would get a little more action!

 

[jdavid]

Darn, now I have to go buy test kits.

 

[heathlindner25]

JDavid;932427 wrote: Darn, now I have to go buy test kits.

Test kits should come before coral.

 

[curtismaximus]

heathlindner25;932438 wrote: Test kits should come before coral.

Pshh test kits are over rated!





J/K


The reality is that some people are just hard headed and dont want to hear the truth.
Sure you can take the time to make a sticky but unfortunately a lot of people have to learn through failure.

I think this a major problem with this country! You learn and grow twice as much through failure than when you succeed.

 

[joseayes]

Now it will come the person who stole the API test kit from Atlanta aquarium...
Muahaha nice technique to catch the predator
Jk
That person I don't even believe is a member, or deserves to be a member here hehehe.

 

[ripped tide]

I do the taste test. If it tastes salty, it's good.

 

[jdavid]

heathlindner25;932438 wrote: Test kits should come before coral.

No way!! Really?

 

[joseayes]

Ripped Tide;932483 wrote: I do the taste test. If it tastes salty, it's good.

:lol2::thumbs:

 

[jdavid]

OK all jokes aside, this can happen. It's a really good idea actually.

McPhock, can you provide a write-up of this proposed sticky for review? It will be helpful if you include a template for users to copy and paste into their own thread. Then it's just a matter of filling it out.

I support members proposing the changes that they would like to see, and I will do everything that I can to see a good idea through.

 

[declanisadog]

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43292">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43292</a>.


This kind of sticky? Been at the top of New member Q&A since 2010...

 

[mcphock]

That's a pretty good sticky. Very thorough.

I was looking for something a little more pragmatic, like:

If you want help with your problem, we'll need the following information:

Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
Specific Gravity
Phosphate
Alkalinity
Calcium
Magnesium

etc, etc.
I'll think on it a while and come up with a few templates.

 

[ringo®]

Good in theory, don't know how it would play out though. I think most the people that ask what's wrong without going into detail are going to be new members. There's a good chance that they would look right past the sticky and ask anyway.

I could also see people rushing out to buy $100+ of testing equipment and freaking out because nobody answered their question within a half an hour.

It would make life easier, but I don't see it getting rid of the "what's wrong with my stuff" questions.

 

[acroholic]

Ringo®;932808 wrote: Good in theory, don't know how it would play out though. I think most the people that ask what's wrong without going into detail are going to be new members. There's a good chance that they would look right past the sticky and ask anyway.

I could also see people rushing out to buy $100+ of testing equipment and freaking out because nobody answered their question within a half an hour.

It would make life easier, but I don't see it getting rid of the "what's wrong with my stuff" questions.

This ^. A fantastic idea in theory, but probably not gonna happen in reality.

 

[mcphock]

That's why I advocated a culture change amongst those that help!

"Sorry to hear that you're having trouble with XXXX. In order for us to help you:

1) please refer to this sticky
-or-
2) please provide this information"

And just wait from there.