Equipment/husbandry advice?

[BlakDuc]

This thread is not what you think.

I see it a lot of times in here and other areas of RC/other forums and it bugs me.

If someone starts a thread looking for advice on what skimmer they should get, people automatically say, "get a Deltec, get a BK, get a (insert other high priced piece of equipment here)."

Someone posts a question, why do I keep losing clams? Get better lights, you have to feed clams under 2" whatever.

I need a cheap Auto top off, "Get a Tunze Osmolator."

First off, most people that respond to these questions have no experience with the equipment or issues that they are responding to. Sure, the Tunze OM is probably the best out there, but is it cheap? NO. Did you bother to read the question before spouting off your infinate words of wisdom? Do you know what you are talking about? If you do, then post away. If not, then tag along, and maybe you will learn something.

A lot of times, the best solution for someone might be to do it themselves and save some money for other equipment. If they don't know how to do it, lead them somewhere they can get the proper help, or if you know how to do it, help them out. A lot of times, people just want to try and be helpful, that is fine. But if you don't know EXACTLY what you are talking about, you are walking a very fine line on giving bogus information. Nobody that I know wants to be the one that causes someone elses tank to crash. I know I don't.

Everyone on here has some info to share with somebody that can help. Don't try to help everybody. We all also have something that we could learn. Every day I learn stuff that I usually wish I had known before hand. I think it is that constant learning that keeps many of us in the hobby.

The point I am trying to make is, if you are trying to help, that is fine. Search out questions that you know a positive and realistic answer to. Some of the posts I read on here and other forums, leaves me wondering, "What was he/she thinking?" Nobody is going to fault you for not giving advice, but you will be laughed at unwillingly when you give out uninformed, ridiculous, or just plain erroneous advice.

Rant over, flame away, carry on.

 

[madadi]

sounds like your jealous you don't have a Deltec skimmer lol JK

i agree, there is a lot of people on here that give weird advice. stuff that they are not familiar with and they don't have experience first hand. the truth is, there is way more factual and useful information on here then useless. we have to just take the good in with the bad, and in the end, make your own decision because you shouldn't add something to your precious tank just because someone said so anyway.

 

[ekrunch]

Joe, if it will help with your jealousy, you can come over and play with my Schuran JetSkim 150 skimmer any time you want. (Yes, I retired my trusty Euro-Reef RS80)

You're right though, most people burst out with their recommendation before even really reading the question. The worst are people that answer equipment problem threads with "well, if you had bought the Tunze, this wouldn't be a problem!" I can't stand the "you should have bought this instead" response.

Okay, now my mini-rant is done.

 

[PSam]

Re: Equipment/husbandry advice?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12094131#post12094131 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BlakDuc
... Sure, the Tunze OM is probably the best out there, but is it cheap? ...

I disagree. LM3 with the top off module is better

 

[BlakDuc]

And I am sure you are saying that from experience. Experience whether a good one or a bad one, beats the this one is expensive so it must be good mentality that a lot of people have. I use the kit from Autotopoff.com and have had zero issues with it. I don't think I have cleaned my float switches since I set up the new tank.

 

[PSam]

the osmolator is a great piece of kit. Had I not the LM3 already, I'd still use the Tunze.

I just got a float switch for low water shutoff from autotopoff also (based on numerous positive reviews )... hope I can rig it to the AC3 properly... that's my fear... me mucking up the connection so it turns on the pump instead of turning it off.....

i do agree, there's a plethora of advice on the web ranging from semi-bunk to totally bunk, all of which has little base in true experience.

cum grano salis

 

[ekrunch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12094622#post12094622 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PSam
the osmolator is a great piece of kit. Had I not the LM3 already, I'd still use the Tunze.

I just got a float switch for low water shutoff from autotopoff also (based on numerous positive reviews )... hope I can rig it to the AC3 properly... that's my fear... me mucking up the connection so it turns on the pump instead of turning it off.....

i do agree, there's a plethora of semi-bunk -> bunk advice with little base.

Just a little tip from a fellow AC3 owner... You may already know this, but when controlling ATOs and such, use "Max Change" to make sure that the AC3 doesn't click the ATO on and off rapidly. Just to make sure that the AC3 doesn't fry your pump or ATO unit. (This also comes in handy for CO2 solenoid control, power heads, etc) I use Max Change clauses all over my AC3's program to guarantee that it doesn't do any one thing too fast.

 

[PSam]

Thanks, yeah, this is for a low water alarm, so hopefully it NEVER kicks on... max change not needed.

I hope the code is never implemented, matter of fact.

 

[BlakDuc]

Lets just keep names out of it, they know who they are. This isn't meant to put anyone down or make anyone feel bad, just to hopefully let them know that all it does is bring discredit to them. There are going to be times when each and every one of us needs a little help, but I know the few people that I trust to get info from. I have most of their numbers in speed dial.

 

[Jeff]

Joe, I see what you are getting at (not sure what happened or why) but when dealing with a large group of people you will find different kinds of opinions and advice, different ages and levels of maturity, and different styles of communicating. Asking people to only do things your way and to try and change their way of doing something is not exactly the American way

I understand people dont start their replies to threads: I own such and such and it works flawlessly... Sometimes people start their replies: I have heard...or I have read... it's just the way it is but like you said, it's not hard to figure out who is speaking from experience and can actually help.

Dont sweat the small stuff (and it's all small stuff).


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BTW, I have a list of aquarium equipment that I use available for purchase for $9.99 (Visa, Mastercard, paypay, or cash pickup). All of the equipment on it is the BEST. It has been tested as the best (by me), or is rumored to be the best (by me). If your equipment is not on MY list, then you should consider upgrading to it SOON. If a piece of equipment is not on the list but sold by a lfs near you, then STOP, I repeat STOP going to that LFS, they DO NOT know what they are doing. I will consider adding equipment to my list only, I repeat ONLY if said piece is donated in NEW, WORKING condition for extensive testing (by me). The list is available in a downloadable "E-Bible" and regular downloadable upgrades are available but not free.


HEHEHE, just kidding. Have fun at the swap today, I wish I could go...
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[Trotter]

Jeff, you are a nut but well said! Dont sweat the small stuff. Why aren't you going to the swap? You are the frag GOD!! My stuff has doubled in size in a month that I got from you. The rics are really coloring up and spreading since I switched to Tropic Marin salt.

 

[Jeff]

Heya Courtney :spin1: Good to hear your frags are doing so well. I have family stuff today so I cant make it to the swap.

 

[Kmiec123]

Belive it or not, most questions have been asked on RC before, so instead of just blurting out a question to get the easy way out, pay for your subscription so you can use the search function, read as many articles and treads on the subject and make your own decision filtering out all the advice you feel is BS. Or you can go ask an experienced reefer you can trust , at which point you should trust there expertise, not say...Well I read this thread on RC that said I should use Centrum Silver in my Refugium....ECT.

Just my opinion of course and it seems to work for me.
Carl

 

[BlakDuc]

It seems that there are quite a few people that like to google or wwm stuff and then post it as their own. If you pull info from a link, post the link. I think it brings a lot more credibility to what you are saying then if you just copy and past stuff and claim it as your own.

 

[IU2468]

I must agree about the info and the sad part is that it isn't just on RC, people giving bad info at the LFS, one time I actually had someone tell me when I first started that I could put two yellow gobies in the same 12 gallon tank, let me tell you that night it was liking watching the UFC live in my tank. But you all are right some people think they know and they really don't. That is part of the reason I don't have alot of posts because I don't want to give someone info that I cant say I have done or personally seen done. But hey most of it is just ignorance. Life goes on

 

[Kmiec123]

You can put two in one....They just need to be a pair.
My new Philosophy is pairs only in my systems....This opens a whole new world of fish watching when you get matting rituals and spawning activity...Not that I'm a Voyeur or anything.
Hope this helps
Carl

 

[spider86]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12095716#post12095716 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BlakDuc
It seems that there are quite a few people that like to google or wwm stuff and then post it as their own. If you pull info from a link, post the link. I think it brings a lot more credibility to what you are saying then if you just copy and past stuff and claim it as your own.

I agree! One repsonse to questions posted that I hate - 'Google is a wonderful tool' To me this defeats the purpose of a community forum that helps each other out based on experience. Posts are made to seek advice from experienced reefers.

 

[Jeff]

Pics?

 

[afish70]

just slightly OT
Joe,
i noticed u r a squid. i am a former squid as well. i was on the flight deck of the USS George Washington. what do you do?

but, i do agree with you about everyone only saying that the good things are the very most expensive they can find on the internet. or if you put a link for someone to buy something, make sure the company is reputable and not the highest priced. that is what has irritated me is i can google an item someone suggests and look at the 3rd or 4th (sometimes even the 2nd) on the list and it is closer (so less freight theoretically) and amazingly cheaper for the sane item.

I know i am still new here, but just thought i would throw my 2 cents in also.

 

[BlakDuc]

Great Points afish. I am an AO. I was a Left Coast guy though. I did both my cruises on the Nimitz. Westpac 2003 and 2005. I was Squadron based out of Lemoore though. Next May I will be going back to either Lemoore or San Diego. I can't wait. I am an RDC right now.