Guide To Getting Your Questions Answered!

[adee]

i think its a helpful thread... i think the point you made about the thread titles was a good one. I try to make a point and return to my threads but i have found many, many threads that dead end and you never know how things turned out. Im not sure if people realize that their thread is helpful to not only themselves but others in the hobby who do use the search engine

Good idea Snake..

 

[forcrz6]

Bump and signed for a STICKY.
Please oh PLEASE Sticky this post.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I have to re-write it to take out personal opinions and edit it here and there in order for this particular essay to be a sticky. I will post the updated essay in a new thread with the same title.
thanks everyone.

 

[spanko]

Before you repost would it be a good Idea to get with a mod to have them proof it first and then lock the thread immediately so that you don't get anyone else posting in it. IMO should be a standalone thread read only type thing.

 

[tank a holic]

+1

 

[fcatch76]

I agree with this post and have skipped over most "non-descriptive" titles. I would also like to add the occasional war that occurs..even with a descriptive title aimed at showing pictures and results (favorable or unfavorable). One thing I learned from all my reading is that this hobby changes all the time and whatever way people can get some education or insight is a good thing. My thread died for me because it was turned into the' "you're doing it wrong and there is no other way than our way" thread
My example:
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/346710/sps-growth-under-pcs-with-success
All I say, is if we as members ask people to be more courteous in their description, let us not blow up threads by not considering what is being shown or asked in the first place.
just my .02 cents for whatever its worth..

 

[drtito]

I would like to add placement of thread to the list, like people adding coral questions to the tips section or asking a sea horse question in the reef section. Some folk dont read the section outline before they post a thread and should.

 

[snakeblitz33]

you make a great point!

 

[sepulatian]

Snake, there are a few reasons why this won't make sticky. The first is that there are a select few that won't reply to a post based on certain titles. I, for instance, click first on threads that say "Help me!!!" or "My fish are dying!!!!", or anything else that looks like an emergency situation. That is just me though. Other people would go for other threads that they know a lot about. We cannot tell people that one, or several, ways of posting are the "correct" way. Everyone goes for the threads that they know the most about first. My weak point is lighting. I will be honest here. Don't ask me for tips on what watt bulb will make what grow. I don't know the answer to it. I can direct you to who does, but I don't know the answer. If I see a thread about it, I am not going for it right away. I will check it out later, to be sure that nothing bad is going on, but that isn't the first post that I go to. Do you see what I am saying here? You may have certain posts that you choose first, I have ones that I choose first.
The next reason why this cannot be stickied is because it is wrong to set up a certain way that people should post on these boards. They didn't all come out of a SWF posting college. They are mainly new people that are anxious enough about the new journey that they have embarked upon. They are excited at first, then get seriously scared when something bad happens. It is up to us, those that have been through these situations, to help those people. Share your knowledge and experiences. Don't get mad at them for not knowing how to post the way you would like them to.
The last reason is that you cannot have a stand alone thread just about how to post. Beth has an excellent one in Disease and Treatment. Right at the beginning of her FAQ on treatments https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/127007/faqs-fish-diseases-treatments-quarantine-health-info
She didn't just tell people how to post. She recommended the things to say, that we are going to ask anyway. She followed it by a lot of information about how to treat fish. Guess what? We still have to ask about everything that she listed for posters to tell us before hand. New people do not now how to post, they don't know about FAQs and archives, nor searches. They are here for help. Help them.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Wow Sep, sounds like you are mad. Everything ok between us???
I understand now that this thread, nor a revised version can be stickied, no matter how relevent the information is.
Thank you for your explanation.
-Snake

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/2961370
Wow Sep, sounds like you are mad. Everything ok between us???
I understand now that this thread, nor a revised version can be stickied, no matter how relevent the information is.
Thank you for your explanation.
-Snake
Nah, I rarely get mad. I was just explaining my point of view on this. We are good

 

[tank a holic]

its also important to tell them to run a search on old threads instead of just opening a new one, I'm posting links all the time...
usually the old thread is better but once in a while the new one takes off

 

[tank a holic]

bump

 

[tank a holic]

bump

 

[tank a holic]

thought it was time for a review

 

[xcali1985]

Im new here and you can read over a few of my posts and tell me what you think, however, the only thing i disagree with is stating your setup and equipment. In your example concerning a spike (the initial cycle) it would help if we knew how much live rock, sand, gallons, specs of equipment, etc. The more information concerning the actual aquarium the better.
Ive read plenty of initial post where the first response is how much live rock do you have, what are your measurements etc. In my honest opinion if your having a problem with anything that isnt equipment related you should be stating all the params you can measure.
For instance, lets day your water is green. Simply stating that won't help much. However, stating that only the water is green not the rock or the glass. The timeframe when it started. Tank parameters ammo, trites, trates, phosphates, etc. the more the better.
Back to your example, if someone states to me they have 25lbs to 55gallons. He would get the info that he dosen't have enough. Or that his equipment won't maintain the tank, etc.
Anyways JMHO

 

[xcali1985]

Originally Posted by tank a holic
http:///forum/post/2961634
its also important to tell them to run a search on old threads instead of just opening a new one, I'm posting links all the time...
usually the old thread is better but once in a while the new one takes off

While i support the search function and I have used it several times in the past, each tank is different, simply a few more pounds in live rock or even for instance a lawnmower blenny changes the situation completely. If I have the same problem as you but I have a lawnmower that is supposed to be taking care of the problem than my situation is different.
If I have a problem I would much rather prefer a new topic that is well formed around my parameters. Me being able to lay out all my tests and setup then have the more knowledgeable community members assist is better than going through hundred of posts.
I've posted a question about my butterfly died stated I did a water change, what my parameters are, that i dosed with amquel+, and my Sebae Anem. was still showing signs of stress. Now while I may be able to find results on both situations of the butterfly dying and another on stressed sebae im probably not going to find something where it is specific to my tank after all. Mine was stuck behind rocks, but with 30+ crabs i was able to leave it in for a while and they drug it to the front. In my case my ammo spiked and luckly the crabs had drug it to the front of the tank and i removed it. However, if someone only had say 5 crabs would he be advised to move the rocks and get it immediately, i would think so.
General information i would advise the search, but for tank problems i truely believe a different thread is needed for each tank.

 

[tank a holic]

it is true that some tank specific problems should heve a new thread but 90% of the questions asked in the NA forum could be answered by using search
and sometimes you'll find better answers with search than a new thread
thatsa why alot of times members post links to old threads on the same topic
I dont want to discourage peopls from starting threads but its just another helpful option

by all means if you need help post

 

[saltyjewell]

Thankyou for taking the time to write this.
I hope I haven't angered anyone here, I tend to ramble

I try to give back to other what I've learned too.

 

[snakeblitz33]

wow, a really old thread dug up from the dead again. Thank you, tank-a-holic.
While this thread may be helpful, it is indeed not the be all end all of guides to getting your questions answered. Just as sep has said, there are opinions contained within the text that are not helpful, usefull, or even practical. It will never be able to be stickied because of this.
But, thank you for your support. I hope that I have helped at least a few people with the information in this thread.
Now, back to lurking...