Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire
- Thread starter pbnj
- Start date
cranberry
Active Member
If it's a flaw I think will affect the way the tank will run, yes I say something. If it's something that cannot be changed, I may not. If it can be modded to work better, I will. If I'm asked for my opinion directly, you will get the good, the bad and the ugly.
If it's something aesthetic that I think sucks, I keep my trap shut or lie if asked directly. Again, if I'm asked for suggestions on something like aquascaping directly, you will get my full honest answer.
But it's getting harder to give advice, especially if it's a "Look at my tank" thread and the advice is unsolicited. But if I put up a FTS to show off my knew critters and some noticies a plumbing flaw... I want to hear it whether I'm asking or not. That's the way it always useto be with few exceptions... but the boards have become a tough crowd lately.
If it's something aesthetic that I think sucks, I keep my trap shut or lie if asked directly. Again, if I'm asked for suggestions on something like aquascaping directly, you will get my full honest answer.
But it's getting harder to give advice, especially if it's a "Look at my tank" thread and the advice is unsolicited. But if I put up a FTS to show off my knew critters and some noticies a plumbing flaw... I want to hear it whether I'm asking or not. That's the way it always useto be with few exceptions... but the boards have become a tough crowd lately.
cranberry
Active Member
But it also kind of sucks when someone gets battered in a "I'm so proud, here it is" thread and they leave with their tail between their legs.
This is the stuff I usually don't speak of..... I don't like plastic plants. Where I'm heavy into seahorses I see alot of tanks with plastic plants for some reason. Probably to try and influence the horses colour. So, when I see someone's seahorse tank with plastics plants it's really an omission of thought verses a lie. Like "Beautiful Tank! (if it weren't for the detritus collecting plastic plants....)"
This is the stuff I usually don't speak of..... I don't like plastic plants. Where I'm heavy into seahorses I see alot of tanks with plastic plants for some reason. Probably to try and influence the horses colour. So, when I see someone's seahorse tank with plastics plants it's really an omission of thought verses a lie. Like "Beautiful Tank! (if it weren't for the detritus collecting plastic plants....)"
jennythebugg
Active Member
bigarn
Active Member
Originally Posted by jennythebugg
http:///forum/post/2954384
you mean when you said you loved my 30 gallon shark/ray tank you were lying !!!???!!!
Please post pics .... I'm thinking of starting one myself!
http:///forum/post/2954384
Please post pics .... I'm thinking of starting one myself!
chaoticdamsel
Member
I tend to follow the "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" philosophy. If I don't think the tank is pretty, I won't compliment it, but sometimes there is a specific coral or fish that can be complimented honestly.
I daresay that everyone on this board has put together a rather funky tank at some time during their hobby experience, especially if they've been in the hobby for many years and didn't have the generous advise and guidance we now get via the internet.
Sometimes its just a matter of developing the artistic side to the hobby, and some struggle with this, or perhaps we all did at some point. Its great to get constructive advise, but I can't really see that being nastily blunt benefits anyone. And, sometimes it just comes down to a matter of personal taste.
Sometimes its just a matter of developing the artistic side to the hobby, and some struggle with this, or perhaps we all did at some point. Its great to get constructive advise, but I can't really see that being nastily blunt benefits anyone. And, sometimes it just comes down to a matter of personal taste.
sepulatian
Moderator
Aquascape, and such, is certainly a matter of personal taste. Some people like tanks stacked to capacity with rock, others just like some. You cannot fault someone for what they like in their own aquarium. There is nothing wrong with constructive criticism, as long as you are not being offensive.
No, I don't say that a tank is nicely done unless I truly like it. I will just leave the thread and not comment at all.
No, I don't say that a tank is nicely done unless I truly like it. I will just leave the thread and not comment at all.
happitylogan
Member
I agree with sep, I'll just leave the thread if I dont like the tank. You can kind of tell the ugly tanks from their low views/comment rate.
nitschke65
Member
It's hard to be negative with someone, especially a noob, when you don't know how much they afford to spend on this insane hobby. Aquascaping get's easier, when you go out and hand pick a couple of coraline covered, interesting shaped pieces for $100. The first time I bough live rock, I suggested that the lfs install a portable cardiac defibrillator next to their cash register.
I think the point of the hobby is for us each to create what we can, within our means, to satisfy ourselves, and no one else. If someone's happy enough with their tank to post a picture, I'd certainly couch any criticism in a coat of "good work" or, "things are coming along nicely."
That being said, I'm a professional carpenter, and I've seen some tank stands that make me instantly close the thread. I've never seen an issue with structural integrity; that's something I'd try to help with. I'm just talking pure, true ugly.
I think the point of the hobby is for us each to create what we can, within our means, to satisfy ourselves, and no one else. If someone's happy enough with their tank to post a picture, I'd certainly couch any criticism in a coat of "good work" or, "things are coming along nicely."
That being said, I'm a professional carpenter, and I've seen some tank stands that make me instantly close the thread. I've never seen an issue with structural integrity; that's something I'd try to help with. I'm just talking pure, true ugly.
reifermadness
Member
Great thread! I think I share the same as many that have replied. There are some that I've seen on here that I think, "Oh my gosh, are you kidding?!" But I am so anal retentive that it's not necessarily their tank, it's me looking at it and going "That doesn't look like a reef" or "That looks like a tank built on $9 and a prayer."
Naturally I don't want to say these things because "If you can't say something nice..." However, I will say something when I see a 20w bulb over a tank of 10 corals bought that day.
Ultimately it's not my tank so when I see the "Holy cow that's ugly" tanks... I quietly leave and then go hug my tank.
Naturally I don't want to say these things because "If you can't say something nice..." However, I will say something when I see a 20w bulb over a tank of 10 corals bought that day.
Ultimately it's not my tank so when I see the "Holy cow that's ugly" tanks... I quietly leave and then go hug my tank.