When to ask a question in this forum

[JMorris271]

Hi guys
I have a question about asking questions in here.
When someone is in the process of information gathering prior to starting a build most questions asked don't relate to each other. I feel I must ask the question it in a separate thread to get a response or risk having the addendum question overlooked by a previous responder because it appears to be an already answered question. :hammer:
I am having a difficult time with posting too many one line questions that need only a one line answer
Once starting the build thread it is difficult to go back and rehash previous post that nobody cares to go over again.
May I ask your feeling on this topic?
Thanks

 

[gone fishin]

Folks that frequent the forum get to know each other and where they are in the build process, cycling or stocking. I personally do not have an issue with multiple one line questions/ one line answers. However, if the same or similar questions get posted by the same person over and over then I tend to start bypassing those questions and move on to other posts.

I really hate to see a thread sitting there with multiple views but no responses. Some folks develop a lot of anxiety when starting a tank up. Sometimes all they need is just a little reassurance that things are going ok. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[CuzzA]

Seems to be a lot of this going on lately.

I don't think it's necessary to start 5 threads for 5 questions unless the are totally unrelated and warrant posting in a specific forum. The easiest way to get a solid response to each question is to number them seperately. This way someone can just quote your post and line by line answer it without having to look back and forth to re-read a couple paragraphs with questions mixed in.

For example:

(The body of your post)
"State the things you are trying to accomplish. Things you may have already done. Parameters if necessary. Describe the situation."

(The questions)

1. If?

2. What?

3. Where?

4. Why?

5. How?

Then people can respond like this.

State the things you are trying to accomplish. Things you may have already done. Parameters if necessary. Describe the situation."

(The questions)

1. If?

ANSWER

2. What?

ANSWER

3. Where?

ANSWER

4. Why?

ANSWER

5. How?

ANSWER

 

[thegrun]

I like several separate posts with single questions is preferred to a long multiple question post.

 

[Sk8r]

I don't mind specific posts for specific problems. I do MUCH appreciate it if the question sounds as if the poster has read the appropriate entry in the SETTING UP sticky file atop this forum, because that is the first place to go...absolutely the first place to go. We have tried to make that file really complete, to cover detail that might get left out in ordinary answers, step by step. If your question stems from something that file didn't cover, or you didn't quite understand, of course we're happy to answer a one-line question. The fact you'll be asking from a point of some understandiing of the topic---makes the answer more valuable to the forum at large.

BUT---do paragraph! Hit the return key every time you ask another question or have an observation you want to stand out. That's ALL paragraphs are: a way to be sure people 'get' a point.

 

[Yellow Eyes]

One thing I do to avoid creating lots of little topics is to go to google, type my question (or part of what I want to know) and then add site:www.reefcentral.com after it. This way it shows only forum posts that contain what my question is. 98% of the time I can find an almost exact question and a detailed answer, which eliminates my need to repeat it.

If I can't find an answer within the first few search results, or have a more specific/personal question then I would post it. This is how I personally eliminate asking 10 questions/day.

 

[JMorris271]

I am a big Google user and use the Search key here as well.
.I am not talking about the troller , those who haven't bothered to read the stickys or those just plain running their mouth. I feel that there are times when someone is gathering facts before or during their build and in that process, may ask what seems to be a redundant question However to this member it is different. For them the basis for the question is coming from different prospective and may notnappear to be linked to an earlier question. Of course the possibly there that is very little in the attic but that is just is what it is.

The point of all of this to me is because of the my scatter gun questions, it has become hard to put together a build thread as much as I would like to.

Based on the number of build threads seen here, I am not the only one with that issue.
I am grateful for those that do take the time to share their knowledge,

 

[Sk8r]

Much of the problem in really long posts with multiple questions has to do with inexperience with use of the Enter key. Hit that sucker twice to create a blank space between sections. Thus:

Better, use the numbers for your questions. 1. 2, etc. This creates an easy reference, so that creates an instant shorthand, referring to 1, 2, etc, and a bit more clarity and organization.

Do NOT mix tanks in the same post. If you're asking about 2 different systems, use 2 posts.

 

[CStrickland]

My general thinking is a build thread is where you show off your tank, but when you have a specific question its best to make a separate post with a TITLE THAT ASKS THE QUESTION.

Sometimes you'll see a build thread recommended when a person is really scattergunning questions without research and nobody knows what they are talking about. Stuff like "how many gallons does a turtle need?" Where you're like "what are you talking about even?" But a lot of times it can help when somebody can link to a build for you to see the big pic of their tank.

I wouldn't fret too much, you'll get the hang of it and people will let you know if you're being weird

 

[ericarenee]

My general thinking is a build thread is where you show off your tank, but when you have a specific question its best to make a separate post with a TITLE THAT ASKS THE QUESTION.

Sometimes you'll see a build thread recommended when a person is really scattergunning questions without research and nobody knows what they are talking about. Stuff like "how many gallons does a turtle need?" Where you're like "what are you talking about even?" But a lot of times it can help when somebody can link to a build for you to see the big pic of their tank.

I wouldn't fret too much, you'll get the hang of it and people will let you know if you're being weird

1+

I agree.. But hey BEING Weird is fun and I LOVE ME WHO ALL MY Weirdness... OK Not the voices...

 

[hkgar]

If the question is When to ask a question in this forum?

The answer could be before you NEED to,
before you experiment - maybe someone else can advise.

 

[snorvich]

I like several separate posts with single questions is preferred to a long multiple question post.

I agree. Long involved multi-part questions can cause one to get lost when formulating an answer. Also, there is a tendency to answer questions that are in one's wheelhouse and skip those that others have more expertise. So question title is often used to select what one answers.

 

[m0nkie]

I think forum posting should be like business emails. Short, easy to read, to the point. Listing questions in numericals. I can copy it and answer right under the questions.

Aint nobody got time all day to read essays here

 

[mjc041800]

Hi guys
I have a question about asking questions in here.
When someone is in the process of information gathering prior to starting a build most questions asked don't relate to each other. I feel I must ask the question it in a separate thread to get a response or risk having the addendum question overlooked by a previous responder because it appears to be an already answered question. :hammer:
I am having a difficult time with posting too many one line questions that need only a one line answer
Once starting the build thread it is difficult to go back and rehash previous post that nobody cares to go over again.
May I ask your feeling on this topic?
Thanks

I did that exact thing and I got a lot of people mad and frustrated from it they told me to just take it slow and make one thread with my questions it is OK you might want to wait a day or two to get all the questions you want to ask because you don't know when they are going to come trust me I learned from experience it is much more organized and you don't have to go through all your later threads to find something it will be fine to have all your questions in one thread different people can answer different questions or all if they want too look at my threads and see what people put and said to me when I did this you definitely don't want to do what I did

 

[mjc041800]

Folks that frequent the forum get to know each other and where they are in the build process, cycling or stocking. I personally do not have an issue with multiple one line questions/ one line answers. However, if the same or similar questions get posted by the same person over and over then I tend to start bypassing those questions and move on to other posts.

I really hate to see a thread sitting there with multiple views but no responses. Some folks develop a lot of anxiety when starting a tank up. Sometimes all they need is just a little reassurance that things are going ok. Just my 2 cents worth.

+1 That person was me

 

[mjc041800]

My general thinking is a build thread is where you show off your tank, but when you have a specific question its best to make a separate post with a TITLE THAT ASKS THE QUESTION.

Sometimes you'll see a build thread recommended when a person is really scattergunning questions without research and nobody knows what they are talking about. Stuff like "how many gallons does a turtle need?" Where you're like "what are you talking about even?" But a lot of times it can help when somebody can link to a build for you to see the big pic of their tank.

I wouldn't fret too much, you'll get the hang of it and people will let you know if you're being weird

+1 Like people let me know

 

[gone fishin]

mjc no worries live and learn. :beer:

 

[CuzzA]

+1 Like people let me know

No worries. Keeping a thread going on one topic will garner more attention and keep those that are subscribed notified of any new information. I think you'll find better responses too. If you don't get any attention on you thread it may have just got pushed off the front page by more threads popping up. If that's the case, just bump it to the top. Good luck.