Opinions!!!

[arkman]

Has anyone built a survey to get a more scientific read on all the OPINIONS on this site. I'd be intersted in collecting some (very subjective) quantifiable data. I'm not a coder, but I have seen surveys on the site for some other things. Id be intersted in working out a flowchart of questions with someone interested in working on the code.
EG:
All q's 1-5
(1 being agree fully, 2 agree somewhat, 3 neutral, 4 somewhat disageree, 5 disagree fully)
Do you reccomend a plenum (1-5)
a DSB (1-5)
a plenum in the DSB (1-5)
a skimmer (1-5)
UV light
refugium
refugium with DSB
refugium with DSB and plenum
etc.

 

[frankl15207]

There is probably less science and more opinions. However, most of those who have been successful have valid opinions because it works for them. If you haven't already added them, here are a couple of links for you:
http://rshimek.com/
http://biogeek.ucdavis.edu
Glad to see you are spending so much time looking into the possibilities. The key to failure in this hobby is lack of patience.
Most people don't take that kind of time up front.

 

[steamboat1569]

If you want to coralate, (no pun intended), and graph answers, I guess you could. I don't have that much time on my hands, and can't afford to pay someone who does.

 

[arkman]

frankl - WOW the R. Shimek links were eye opening. It's cool to have access to Ph.D. level chemistry debate...I could figure out about half of it -- but still learning!
I take it you point was that even Ph.D's with 30 years experience dont have "the" answers?
I'ts really important to me that I can build and manage a sustainable environment for these critters, if I can't I'll just invest the $$$ into diving. I will not be a "consumer" of natural resources in this hobby - I hope to be able to add back into the trade.
Some of these newbie posts (tap water+salt+rock+a couple of hours=reeftank) are kiling me. It's a crime that pet stores are letting people walk out of their stores like that.
Anyway, all of you guys have been a great resource. I'm getting closer to a plan, and I intend on staying acitve on these boards.

 

[frankl15207]

Originally posted by arkman
frankl -
Some of these newbie posts (tap water+salt+rock+a couple of hours=reeftank) are kiling me. It's a crime that pet stores are letting people walk out of their stores like that.

From where we all came. Some just take longer to leave there (and I guess some never really do).

 

[azrile]

I doubt you can do it. so much of it is subjective and involves personal preferences and experience.
Like DSB.. I vote no on them, not because they are bad for the tank, but because I don't want to waste 4 inches of ugliness at the bottom. Also you get into fish personalities alot. 10 people will say a certain species is reefsafe, and another person will post a picture of his tearing apart a coral.
Another good question is bristleworms. I only have 2 LFS's in my area, and both owners are animate that I need to catch and remove all of them.
Makes you think this hobby is more an art then a science, and alot of it is 'luck'.

 

[steamboat1569]

Bristle worms have a bad name because of one certain species, the fire worm. It will eat corals, but is distiguishable from the rest.

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by steamboat1569
Bristle worms have a bad name because of one certain species, the fire worm. It will eat corals, but is distiguishable from the rest.
I disagree. I think it's because they are often found at the scene of the crime.
ie. Guy buys a Clam, clam looks great for 3 months, clam dies, worms eat dead clam. Guy blames death on the worms because the clam looked ok the day before.

 

[steamboat1569]

Yeah, you have a good point. Bristles are very, very good at cleanup, and can tell when something is dying or dead. They reach the "scene of the crime" before you know it.
There are a couple of species of bristles that do damage corals, but the chances of getting these are slim to none, although I have a friend that was not so lucky. Fire worm ate his fox coral.
We had a hell of a time getting that thing out.

 

[arkman]

I don't think there is any question that this is science -- I just think there may be more than one way to skin the cat