[thelastmucci]

OK, while I love giving advice (really I do) and I know everyone starts out as beginners (look at Steph for example) something's been bothering me as of late. More and more I'm seeing the same topics listed as threads and they're all basically the same question(s). While I don't mind helping beginners (and yes I still consider myself a beginner just one with lots of knowledge under his belt) it does get a bit irksome to read three seperate threads RE: evaporation. I guess the best metaphor I can use for this example is this "Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish he'll eat for a lifetime." Please excuse the blatently obvious fish pun here. I guess what I'm trying to say is teach people how to use google and the search functions here on the boards. Yes we have the RB Library which is a huge help but people need to learn to go out and research on their own, buy books go to google or ask.com or something. The forums should be a primary place in case something catastrophic happens to our tanks (ie you have a serious case of "something" and you don't know how to fix it in a hurry) People shouldn't rely on us to dole out answers that they could very easily find on their own if they just took the time to look. I know I'm sounding a bit like a crusty old man but it does get old to read and respond to the same questions (cycling/diatoms is my tank going to be OK?) I come on these boards to help others and that's my first priority, however I want to learn stuff too and sometimes it's hard when you don't have any new topics. Believe me I'm very grateful to all the people on this site that make it what it is just a little consideration next time you post HELP MY ANEMONE IS DYING AND MY TANKS BEEN UP FOR 3 DAYS. That's just poor research on your part and your killing an innocent creature. Do your research, ask before you buy and remember...nothing easy comes fast in reef tanks.


OK I'm done ranting

[stephaniesquires]

Originally Posted by thelastmucci

OK, while I love giving advice (really I do) and I know everyone starts out as beginners (look at Steph for example) something's been bothering me as of late. More and more I'm seeing the same topics listed as threads and they're all basically the same question(s). While I don't mind helping beginners (and yes I still consider myself a beginner just one with lots of knowledge under his belt) it does get a bit irksome to read three seperate threads RE: evaporation. I guess the best metaphor I can use for this example is this "Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish he'll eat for a lifetime." Please excuse the blatently obvious fish pun here. I guess what I'm trying to say is teach people how to use google and the search functions here on the boards. Yes we have the RB Library which is a huge help but people need to learn to go out and research on their own, buy books go to google or ask.com or something. The forums should be a primary place in case something catastrophic happens to our tanks (ie you have a serious case of "something" and you don't know how to fix it in a hurry) People shouldn't rely on us to dole out answers that they could very easily find on their own if they just took the time to look. I know I'm sounding a bit like a crusty old man but it does get old to read and respond to the same questions (cycling/diatoms is my tank going to be OK?) I come on these boards to help others and that's my first priority, however I want to learn stuff too and sometimes it's hard when you don't have any new topics. Believe me I'm very grateful to all the people on this site that make it what it is just a little consideration next time you post HELP MY ANEMONE IS DYING AND MY TANKS BEEN UP FOR 3 DAYS. That's just poor research on your part and your killing an innocent creature. Do your research, ask before you buy and remember...nothing easy comes fast in reef tanks.
OK I'm done ranting

Someone needs a big glass of chocolate milk and a nap!! (just kidding!) I noticed the same thing today about multiple threads regarding the same topic. This site is getting bigger and with that come people unfamiliar with the site. I think we need to help them like we were helped - directing to wetwebmedia, to our library, to google etc.. We were given great advice - but even better - the research tools to teach ourselves, time to pass on the tools, not just the advice.

[rlcline76]

Mucci, this has been griped about time and time again.

[jimw369]

Just history repeating itself.

[jimw369]

Why pick on evaporation? Why not lights, nitrates, DSB, size tank, flow, what corals, food, QT......on and on.

Its not that hard. I say make up your mind what you want to do and do it. Everything is blown way out of proportion. As long people keep asking the same questions and people keep answering the same questions people will keep asking the same questions. Yeah, the search search feature. Not only that, why not just scroll down and see 4-5 threads on the same topic as the one you are reading about?

People need to be directed to the stickys and learn how to use the site and ask questions in a proper manner with tank params mandatory for posting questions where "help" is needed.

God bless those that day after day are answering peoples same questions with sound advice. I lost the patience for it. Mucci...if you are into the salt hobby more than these forums your feelings on this subject will become, shall we say, stronger.

Hang in there and with your good demeanor maybe you can make a difference.

[thelastmucci]

Thanks everyone for your input...didn't realize that I "double posted" hehe...guess I should have used the search feature. *slaps head* At any rate, I agree with everyone and hopefully I won't be doing this kinda stuff when I get my tank...I know its the easier thing to do is to just ask on the boards, rather than look for the info like yesterday I was trying to look up recently passed congressional bills about work credits...you think I found anything...well nothing useful like oh I don't know the name of the bill and what it does. But yea I'll keep plugging along on my nightly quest to help others in this great hobby...re-reading this I porbably did need something..possibly more coffee...which reminds me I have to go make so tea.

[glampka]

We're dealing with human nature here my friends. It's just sooooooooo much easier to start your own thread & have everyone pour in answers then to actually sit & search out the answer that is already out there. Been happening since the day of creation & will continue until the end of the world. Good luck trying to change human nature!!