What do you think about R2R offering FREE learning modules and certificates on certain reefing topics?

[danimal1211]

I think it's a cool idea, but I will say that, as mentioned, there are a lot of differing opinions on subjects. Unfortunately there's no true formulas for running a successful reef tank.

For instance, everyone knows RODI is the only way to have a reef tank successful long term and yet RODI is relatively new to the reefing world and there are plenty of successful reefers using tap water.

Everyone knows MH lights are the best lights on the market but LEDs and T5s (and even T12s!) grow corals just as good and grow less or equal amounts of algae.

Everyone knows SPS only thrive in 0 nutrient systems except people grow gorgeous SPS with amazing colors in tanks with 1.4 phosphates and 100+ nitrates.

When I think of education on such topics , I would hope for content that for example would identify the potential contaminants often found in tap water, why they can be harmful, typical symptoms of contaminated water source and potential remedies ie. RODI.

 

[Gman83]

I like the idea.

 

[tbrown]

When I think of education on such topics , I would hope for content that for example would identify the potential contaminants often found in tap water, why they can be harmful, typical symptoms of contaminated water source and potential remedies ie. RODI.

Which I could totally get behind.

@revhtree I'm just wondering aloud here... If Reef2Reef were to present something like this, it would be difficult to moderate certain topics. I think there's a ton of knowledge here on Reef2Reef and a ton of knowledgeable people that have differing opinions. Making threads locked for commenting would eliminate arguments and solve some problems but it would discourage the back and forth discussions that can be super helpful if handled properly. I'd say go for it but be ready to shut down arguments?

 

[Pieter]

What do you think about R2R offering FREE learning modules and certificates on certain reefing topics?

Is it worth it for us to think about creating learning modules where members read and learn about certain reefing topics and when complete receive a certificate?

That would be so nice.

 

[V_Sh]

I think it's a cool idea, but I will say that, as mentioned, there are a lot of differing opinions on subjects. Unfortunately there's no true formulas for running a successful reef tank.

For instance, everyone knows RODI is the only way to have a reef tank successful long term and yet RODI is relatively new to the reefing world and there are plenty of successful reefers using tap water.

Everyone knows MH lights are the best lights on the market but LEDs and T5s (and even T12s!) grow corals just as good and grow less or equal amounts of algae.

Everyone knows SPS only thrive in 0 nutrient systems except people grow gorgeous SPS with amazing colors in tanks with 1.4 phosphates and 100+ nitrates.

I personally use tap water for all of my tanks in store after treating it with Seachem Safe and keeping it for a couple of days in a container with a biological filter that has a good amount of bacteria.

I think there is a good formula for keeping tanks, the only formula:
mimicking nature, I never regret this method.

I usually prefer to share my ideas by mentioning some scientific references, this can help a lot

except people grow gorgeous SPS with amazing colors in tanks with 1.4 phosphates and 100+ nitrates.

maybe these parameters happen somewhere in nature, I'll check the ASCII datasets of oceans and share the results.

What do you think about R2R offering FREE learning modules and certificates on certain reefing topics?

Is it worth it for us to think about creating learning modules where members read and learn about certain reefing topics and when complete receive a certificate?

I like the idea, education is always cool.

I would prefer to see scientific references for some opinions to be able to track the idea and science behind it.

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

I think these would be very beneficial to the new members with no experience in salt water reef tanks. The basic questions asked by new members can be answered by sending them to the corresponding module. With responses turned off they can get an answer, not 500 different ones or variations. I don't see any need for badges on this.

 

[V_Sh]

except people grow gorgeous SPS with amazing colors in tanks with 1.4 phosphates and 100+ nitrates.

So based on the Bio-ORACLE database we can find that the highest concentration of Nitrate and Phosphate in Oceans at the maximum depth of each grid is 38.9 ppm and 3.47ppm. (at water surface 32ppm and 2.2ppm)

I then checked the phosphate and Nitrate concentration near Australia and it's obvious that some reef cliffs are living in Phosphate as high as 2.3ppm and Nitrate as high as 32ppm, So the experience of some members with high levels of these may be just right if maintained well.

(Phos 1-2ppm and Nitrate 15ppm seems regular)


Nitrate

Phosphate

Maybe information or assessments like this help education in the forum.

@revhtree What's your valuable opinion?

 

[Dburr1014]

I do fully support the idea of learning moduals.

I just think a certificate will just blind people. They will hide behind it like it means more or use it as a tool.
(there's enough tools already)

 

[Paul B]

I think this may lead to a large bunch of arguments. Most people can't even agree on a ground probe.

 

[rhitee93]

Having just gone through my first year back in the hobby, I would value modules on topics that cover the basic information on topics. (Not just basic topics though) This forum is wonderful once you have some idea what is going on. However, as an absolute noob, I found the BRS video series to be more educational than the forum.

The issue with the forum, as has been pointed out many times in this thread, is that there aren't very many absolutes in this hobby. If I started a thread that claimed fish need water to thrive, someone would post a valid (if not relevant) counterpoint in the first page.

A way to compensate for this in educational modules would be to take the tone that there are many way to achieve success, but here are some pathways that lead to success a high percentage of the time.

As a few others stated, I would see these being short 5-15 minute modules with slide and video clips like the training modules you see in corporate life these days.

I also don't really see a need to a certificate, but I like the idea of a list on my profile page so I can keep track of where I am at. It would be easy to forget where you are in a series of modules after a while.

 

[Dom]

How much will you be charging for these modules?

 

[Reefer Matt]

It will depend on who is giving the info, imo. There are quite a few industry recognized professionals already here on R2R, and they would be a great resource for this.

 

[Dburr1014]

How much will you be charging for these modules?

The OP says FREEEEEEEEE!

 

[nickng]

learning badges, certtificates - make it optional such that people can claim those badges or certs if they really complete the modules and answer a few questions correctly at the end of the modules.
That way for those who just want specific info from certain modules aren't forced to get badges or certs.
As for accreditation, if there's solid/scientific/marine biology level info behind some modules it maybe helpful to some LFS when looking to train store staff or for someone looking to get into the field.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

When I think of education on such topics , I would hope for content that for example would identify the potential contaminants often found in tap water, why they can be harmful, typical symptoms of contaminated water source and potential remedies ie. RODI.

These may be a start on those specific topics:

Aquarium Chemistry: Tap Water in Reef Aquaria

As will become clear in this article, using tap water is risky business. Short of testing your own water, there is no way to be certain that your water is acceptable.

reefs.com

Reverse Osmosis/Deionization Systems to Purify Tap Water for Reef Aquaria by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[NkSde]

It has potential to be a good thing with the right resources contributing that we have in the community. I think it has the potential to be a good tool to help educate so long as everything is maintained to an impartial and Scientifically friendly method

 

[Cell]

I feel like this is being thought of as something way more significant than it actually is. I understand it to be basically stickied thread topics/info in a PowerPoint format with quizzes to test retainment of info presented. Not sure why anyone would feel the need to opt out of a completion certificate. It's not like you need to frame it and hang it up or reapply yearly. The main concern to me is understanding that completion of course does not equate to expertise.

 

[Dom]

The OP says FREEEEEEEEE!

Yes it does!

Serves me right for not having my morning coffee first.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Yes it does!

Serves me right for not having my morning coffee first.

 

[tbrown]

I personally use tap water for all of my tanks in store after treating it with Seachem Safe and keeping it for a couple of days in a container with a biological filter that has a good amount of bacteria.

I think there is a good formula for keeping tanks, the only formula:
mimicking nature, I never regret this method.

I usually prefer to share my ideas by mentioning some scientific references, this can help a lot


maybe these parameters happen somewhere in nature, I'll check the ASCII datasets of oceans and share the results.


I like the idea, education is always cool.

I would prefer to see scientific references for some opinions to be able to track the idea and science behind it.

I wasn't saying either was right or wrong. I use tap water as well. All I was pointing out is that there are different ways of running tanks that work and we'd need to be careful with some topics as they can be highly polarizing and often cause arguments.