Back after a few years - very quiet here

[Ageofaquariums]

I dunno how MASA can become n00b friendly. Its worked so hard to be the 1337 place for Aussie reefers that its hard to shift gears and try welcome the training wheel crew. They are the life blood of a forum though. Like it or not, its those same simple questions OVER and OVER that create most the traffic on a forum.

[damienbuckley]

I don't really see a problem to be fair where new reefers are concerned - everyone should remember that you were that noob once and even after 3 decades in the hobby I learn something new every day. Theres no right/wrong with fish keeping - just anecdotal evidence and opinion. I think the bigger issue for MASA is that most people have departed to Facebook. This is an ever-decreasing circle - less patronage, less answers & help = more people go to FB - rinse, repeat. If we want to maintain the presence, we need to BE the presence.

[damienbuckley]

Where it comes to people's egos, they need to check them at the door. Everyone needs help at some time.

[pebbles]

Rtaw is quiet, for many reasons one of them being fb groups are an easy, instantaneous, social way to connect / communicate about the hobby. But as time goes on, more and more hobby groups pop up. The real knowledge has become increasingly diluted across so many platforms and difficult to find.

Btw If anyone knows of a serious group without infomercials, not run by business, and contains a lot of thought provoking content let me know - as I've yet to find it.

IMO forums are best suited for serious discussions, especially since you can search similar topics. Unfortunately the debacle with photobucket has had a huge impact on many forums I frequent, driving even more people to FB! Even many subs at RC are like touring a ghost town.



Jm2c as usual,

[Ageofaquariums]

Yep photobucket did its best to kill the radio star

I dont think that all the facebook groups really are that n00b friendly, often reefing does have that elitist edge.

Facebook seems to often take it to that next level with people merge themselves with their status symbol reef to create a super persona.

On forums people seem more willing to talk about their mistakes etc where as on facebook many people just want to be right and are willing to fight over anything to prove it.
Not saying that we dont need mods in forums.... but that things seem to get personal fast on many of the FB reefing groups.

[shrimpman]

After many years out of the hobby i'm just looking to come back. I was surprised to see the forum like this and more surprised to see poor information being offered.

When did palythoa become the devil? So sad. Its such an easy coral to keep

[oceanarium]

The real knowledge has become increasingly diluted across so many platforms and difficult to find.

Exactly... closed groups etc multiple FB pages about certain sections of the hobby etc. Everything is so fragmented, I really find FB next door to useless. Here you know the people, their tanks and their experience. You don't have to agree with everything every one says, but the discussion / debate is open for all to see and judge. I personally don't follow the FB pages, my business is there only because that is ware the people are these days.

Pete

[555combo]

After many years out of the hobby i'm just looking to come back. I was surprised to see the forum like this and more surprised to see poor information being offered.

When did palythoa become the devil? So sad. Its such an easy coral to keep

Hi Shrimpman and Welcome

I agree that palys are easy to keep however I think part of the concern with them is two fold. Given the correct conditions they can take over, but moreso is the unknown danger that they can hold if not treated with the correct care.

People fragging them without any protective gear, boiling rock, scrubbing etc. People just need to be aware and careful.

[shrimpman]

how things have changed. We always knew coral was capable of defending itself and took appropriate precautions. Rubber gloves etc.

What on earth are people putting boiling water on?

i really want to click my shoes together saying there is no place like home

[Jutscher]

What on earth are people putting boiling water on?

I use boiling (RODI) water on Aiptasia... its the only thing next to a Marginal (one that actually eats AIptasia and not just my Clams ) that actually works for me.