Reef Central's mission statement

[shawna1972]

I joined this site back in 2006 I believe because I was ready to start my first tank. Well life got in the way and I never started my first tank till July of 2009.

I still remember looking at all the equipment under the stand and just going wow I'm never going to understand what all that does or how to operate it. But I dove in anyways with the help from this forum.

Do I feel intimidated and hesitant to post and ask for help on this forum. Sometimes but not too often. It depends on the topic. It gets easier everyday with the helpful members on here.

The thing I like the best is when you ask a question it gets some kind of response. Not just the typical other forum answers of read read read noob. Don't get me wrong I love to read and learn as I go. But being new the wealth of information that is out there on reefkeeping is overwhelming to say the least. Not to mention how does a newcomer know what is outdated and old? We don't. We look for guidance from others that have come before us and learn from their trials and tribulations so as not to make the same mistakes they have. But the biggest thing I have learned from this board and its members is that there is more then one way to get the desired results.

Trust me I am grateful for this board and the knowledgeable members that frequent here and answer our *noobie* questions. One day I'm sure I'll look back and laugh at some of my questions that I asked. Hell I already do. Everyday we all grow and and as I say you never stop learning till you die. Learning never gets old....

Very well said! I feel the same
The reason I switched to reef central over "another board is because if Noobies asked "what are my options for treating Ich" it was Hypo or no way!! and they would attack the members for looking for other options such as copper. I think some of you may know what site Im talking about but any case This is why I started looking for another forum to be apart of, I'm grateful I found upstate:dance:! The members here are more than willing to help and go above and beyond if one of us needs help!
I also like the fact that upstate is so active on the board! As I have seen members on other boards wait a week or more just to get a reply.
Everyone has their own opinions and I'm willing to listen to all as I don't believe this hobby is clear cut as to what "is the right way" of doing anything as everyone system/fish are different and what may work for one person may not work for the next!
As Gary once told me look at the source of where the info/opinions are coming from When looking for advice/help. I guess "I just try not to take things to heart" when I'm seeking help or trying to help someone else.
Anyhow love this forum and the members are invaluable! You Guys/Girls are the best! :thumbsup:

 

[Gravesj1s]

the trouble is, these things are totally subjective. what you may see as someone with an ego trying to one-up someone else I may see completely differently. hence encouraging the free exchange of information.

there can be value in the types of arguments you described. I don't know if anyone was around for the DSB/BB debates, but I learned a lot as a hobbyist and there were plenty of egos involved.

I'd agree entirely with most f your post.
As for the dsb/bb debate that had been a long lime coming.I'm glad it finally did.Now the craze is remote bucket dsb,rediculous.
-Graves

 

[mr86mister]

I also like the fact that upstate is so active on the board! As I have seen members on other boards wait a week or more just to get a reply.

That's because most of us have no lives...haha. JK

Some people on the board are strictly to the point and pretty blunt about what they feel while others try to educate instead of dictate. There is a big difference, and dictate isn't necessarily a negative word it just means to that person there is no other way. This is by far one of the most mellowed out boards I have ever been on. I'm on roughly 20 boards on many different things and this is really the most easy going one.

 

[sg1838]

The thing I like the best is when you ask a question it gets some kind of response. Not just the typical other forum answers of read read read noob. Don't get me wrong I love to read and learn as I go. But being new the wealth of information that is out there on reefkeeping is overwhelming to say the least. Not to mention how does a newcomer know what is outdated and old? We don't. We look for guidance from others that have come before us and learn from their trials and tribulations so as not to make the same mistakes they have. But the biggest thing I have learned from this board and its members is that there is more then one way to get the desired results.

Trust me I am grateful for this board and the knowledgeable members that frequent here and answer our *noobie* questions. One day I'm sure I'll look back and laugh at some of my questions that I asked. Hell I already do. Everyday we all grow and and as I say you never stop learning till you die. Learning never gets old....

Couldn't agree more. I never understood the philosophy that if somebody has a basic question that they shouldn't ask it in a public forum, but instead should scour to the ends of the earth (or on WetWebMedia, whichever is larger) to try to find the answer to that question first, and then, and ONLY then, if they do not find the answer, are they allowed to post their question.

I almost wonder if that mentality doesn't go back to the days of when you paid a per minute charge to be connected to someplace like Compuserve. What's the difference if I ask the same stupid question that somebody else did just a few days before? Last I knew, we weren't be charged by the character to read the posts on the message boards. And if it is that stupid of a question, it should be VERY easy to answer, like "Yes", "No", or "Go here: http://...".

Personally, I am never annoyed by any questions anyone asks, nor can I say that I have been given any attitude by anybody on URS or on ReefCentral for that matter. Everybody has been very helpful to me, which I have sincerely appreciated.

 

[Henry Colf]

There is an abundance of experience and knowledge on this forum. Most of it comes from experience. We are fortunate to have some members with lots of experience that had to tough it out and probably lost alot of money in the process. We are gaining knowledge from their shortcomings. That's how we learn, from others mistakes or sucesses. I know for a fact that sometimes I come off harsh and don't mean to it's just me. I'm actually a really nice guy, some people think i'm an *** and I don't care. Just being honest here. If I took everything personally and let it bother me I would have had a nervous breakdown by now. This hobby is a labour of love and it takes alot of work and alot of patience. We all need each other to make it work.