Guide To Getting Your Questions Answered!

snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Hello Guys and Gals!
I thought I would write this guide out because, well, it is needed. This guide is intended to help you get your questions answered more frequently and more thoroughly.
Thread Title
We have all seen threads titled:
1. Help!
2. Help Please!
3. What’s this?
4. Will this work?
5. How often should I?
6. A few questions…
And so forth…
When I see threads titled in this way, I have a big tendency to skip them. They may need too thorough of an answer, or it is a general help question, or it may be a general knowledge question that can be answered from a textbook. It may even be an anecdote of something that has nothing to do with the title, but the question is somehow in there, and the OP does not realize why his/her question is not being answered. This is why I skip these sort of thread titles.
What a thread title should say:
1. Help with my BTA with Pics!
2. Help with carpenters wrasse please!
3. What is this worm like thing on my live rock?
4. How often should I clean my sump?
5. How does the Nitrogen Cycle truly work?
6. Live Rock, Live sand and Cycling questions, help please!
Providing information in the thread title helps posters choose what they want to answer, instead of possibly wasting time on a general knowledge question. If someone wants to know some extra helpful information on lets say BTA’s (Bubble Tip Anemone’s), then they can go to the “Help with my BTA with Pics!” thread and possibly learn something.
If you say “With Pics” in the thread title, I am ten times more likely to frequent that thread then another. Tell me if it’s just me.
Also, something else that really grabs my attention is EMERGENCY fish dying! I immediately go to those sort of threads, but if it turns out that it is not an emergency like a tank popping or dying fish or something of the sort, then it’s a let down and your credibility is lost.
On a side note, if it is titled “EMERGENCY, fish dying With PICS” I (and I'm sure plenty of others) are 10x more likely to frequent that thread and help.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Thread “body”
Now, take into consideration the “meat” of the whole reason why you posted the thread to begin with. Let us say that you have a whole big dilemma and you need help with it. For example:
I have a 55g tank with 25lbs live rock, 60lbs live sand, a maxijet 1200 powerhead, a Seaclone 100 protein skimmer and an Emperor 280 biowheel filter thingy. I started my tank yesterday and put in a piece of raw shrimp and a few damsels that my live fish store sold me. I tested my water parameters and they are: Ammonia 1, nitrite 1, nitrate 0. My damsels seem to be doing fine, but I am reading on the forums here that ammonia is not supposed to be that high. What is the nitrogen cycle and how does that work? My tank is in my living room and the air conditioner is blowing on it. My cat likes to watch the fish going back and fourth, but I don’t like the glare that the lights have off of the TV.
Now, at first glance, I already don’t want to read this thread. I read the first and the last sentence of the paragraph to see if it seems like I might be interested. Immediately, I see seaclone 100 and incorrect proportions of live rock vs. water volume and want to say something about it. The next thing that I read is that your cat likes to watch the fish and you don’t like the glare on the TV. Wow, where is the question???
Well, it’s in there somehow. It’s this: What is the Nitrogen Cycle and how does that work?
This is a better post:
I just set up my new 55 gallon aquarium. My live fish store sold me some damsels to go with it. Now I am reading on the boards about the Nitrogen Cycle and that my Ammonia is too high. What is the Nitrogen Cycle and how does it work?
If board members get on to you for having a Seaclone 100, not enough live rock, and it being in your living room in front of the air conditioner, putting in raw shrimp with fish blah blah blah … that is how you invited criticism into the thread.
By being brief in your post, and getting to the point, you will get more responses.
Thread “ending”
One of the absolute most annoying things that can happen in a thread is when the OP (Original Poster) never again joins in on the conversation. The OP never answers any of the members questions. The OP never thanks the people that provided the information, and the OP never comes back to look at the information (or so we think.)
Your responsibility as the OP is to come back to the thread, monitor it, join in some conversation, answer questions that board members may have and figure out your problem. In concluding the thread, it never hurts to thank the people that have helped you.
Importance of Post Count
I’m not saying that people who have a low post count do not know what they are talking about or are new hobbyists. There are many people who come on these boards that have a post count of 1 with 20 years experience! We should all be thankful that everyone joins these forums to discuss whatever it is that we are here to question and answer.
The reason that I am bringing up the importance of post count is because: if three or four people who have high post counts, who seem very knowledgeable, and if you look at their profiles, and see pictures of their aquariums and what not… who also have credibility/responsibility and honor on their side say that “That’s not a good thing to do, and I would personally not do it. It will not work, yadda yadda…” and then one person comes in with a low post count who can not show proof of their work and experience says that it’s an ok thing to do, and the OP decides to go with this decision, well… that for the most part says that the OP will do whatever they feel like doing regardless of what we think. It’s frustrating! Which brings us to our next subject.
Importance of Personal Character
I may not be the best one to be typing this out. I have made some mistakes in my past that I am not proud of, and I do regret. However I do recognize the importance of personal character.
The reason why this is important is: If I know and recognize your screen name (handle) and you never responded to your thread, never answered any questions, and never said thank you in any way, I am more likely to skip your thread then others. That is why I highly recommend to all new coming hobbyists to please, please join in on the conversations, and thank the people that tirelessly help and repeat information for you.
Take all of the information that you learn, and research it. None of us, NONE of us know everything there is to do with the hobby. Research books, and the internet. Research all of your new purchases, all your additional equipment, all of your “new” ideas before you do them.
Research will help you save money and become less frustrated in this wonderful and very rewarding hobby.
Now I invite you, please, sign-in, post and lets all learn from each other!
 
naclh2o nut

naclh2o nut

Member
Snake, thanks for the info. I have just recently joined and was not really thinking about this. All I was after is info.
So let me be the first newbie, Thanks to all in the past! This site has been a great help yo me and many others.
 
sueandherzoo

sueandherzoo

Active Member
That SO needed to be said, but unfortunately the posters who are the biggest offenders are the same people who will probably never read your thread.

But if your post cuts down on even a few of those high-drama, low information posts or helps "summarize" some of the ones with TOO MUCH information, then I thank you for making this effort.
There is nothing more frustrating than doing a search for something and having to open a ton of "HELP" threads just to see if it touches on what you're looking for.
Sue
 
spammie5

spammie5

Member
All of a sudden I feel like an example in your post....I have a very low post count and my thread title was too broad.
Thanks for the guidelines Snake...
 
jackri

jackri

Active Member
haha.. i started a new thread of HELP NO PICS as a joke to try and get a comment out of snake to coincide with this thread... and yeah nothing ;)
 
ginger17

ginger17

New Member
HI, THANKS for the info. I am new to this posting, how do I get my question online ? I have a 125g tank, 2 sand sifting starfish that are eating my hermit crabs. The staff at 2 local aquarium shops say the starfish don't eat hermit crabs. I have watched them do it several times, then they sink back under the sand, later I find the shell spit out, soft and jelly like. One staff man said my tank was too clean, not enough debrie for the starfish to eat. Any ideas ? THANKS, ginger17
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Spammie5
http:///forum/post/2956237
All of a sudden I feel like an example in your post....I have a very low post count and my thread title was too broad.
Thanks for the guidelines Snake...
Unlike a female member who has a post count that is very high but she is to broad
 
jimvette1

jimvette1

Member
Good post,
I'm with you 100% on post counts, some people are readers and other are talkers.
Maybe you should add another topic:
"Hijacking a thread:the do's and don'ts "
 
naclh2o nut

naclh2o nut

Member
Originally Posted by JimVette1
http:///forum/post/2956304
Good post,
I'm with you 100% on post counts, some people are readers and other are talkers.
Maybe you should add another topic:
"Hijacking a thread:the do's and don'ts "

What is hajacking a thread?
By the way I have a

[hr]
and a

[hr]
that is doing

[hr]
, what are your thoughts on that? I really need help fast as this has been going on for 3 years now.
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
Great thread snake!!!
+100000 on coming back and letting us know that we didn't just waste ten minutes replying to your question because you never came back and read it.
I have one suggestion on Post counts which seems to work for me if I am questioning a response or wanting to get to know another poster a little better. I look to see where there posts are at and what type of responses they are giving to others IE if someone has a 3000 post count and 2500 of them are in the aquarium section and the majority of the rest are comments like "nice tank" "good pic" ect... with a few informational responses thrown in once in a while then I take what they have to say with a grain of salt and usually throw it out the window. I'm not saying they don't know what they are talking about but it gives me the impression that they are not as passionate about this hobby as I am and probably are not willing to go to great lengths to research their responses and have info available to back up their advice.
Another suggestion for Question wording, try to keep your questions from being too broad, I see alot of questions like "What do I need to setup a saltwater tank" If I see a question like this I am likely to skip it because there are more questions than answers. It would be better to list the equipment you already have, what type of tank you want to setup (FO, FOWLR, Reef, Species, ect..) what kind of budget you are on, ect...
One more thing, reread what you wrote before you post it to make sure it makes sense and use the spell check also. My wife and my Boss are both dislexic and it is sometimes a challenge to figure out what they just wrote so I am sympithetic to a point but I see a fair amount of posts that just make no sense whatsoever and I can't figure out what the Poster is talking about much less what the question is.
 
try2wryte

try2wryte

Member
Hmm...I'm pretty sure I've thanked those that have helped me...but in case I missed anyone THANKS!!!! For teaching, advising and settling the argument over what to name my first clownfish lol
 
wattsupdoc

wattsupdoc

Active Member
You also need to make sure you know what question it is you are asking, Then think about how to articulate that. I have seen several posts where the OP didn't really even know what question it was they were asking. Sometimes it would take two or three replies, just for them to figure out what it was they needed to ask..

Also, know your equipment, your parameters, your stock list, post these along in the thread. Otherwise some will have to post, just to see them. Don't be vague either like "all my parameters are good" that means absolutely nothing. You can make a list in notepad with your equipment, stock list and list of parameters. Then when you post, go to it, copy/paste it into the thread, then fill in the parameters.

The aquarium doesn't ring up post counts, those don't count. I agree with the high post count and broad statement, I think I know who your referring too. Impossibly high count for join date, and posts are all the same "CANNED" responses. Like get a QT, do a water change, blah blah blah....
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Your welcome all. Anyone feel like this thread needs to be stickied?
And you are right, natclan, please re-read what you write and see if it makes sense. If there is unnecessary information in your post, please edit it. If it's a general knowledge question such as "what do I need for a saltwater tank," try to narrow it down and DO SOME RESEARCH.
 
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