Which Recommendations Do You Listen To?

[jabberwock]

I always take the advice of folks who clearly understand that the meaning of the word "research" is not searching the internet.

 

[EricR]

At least I know now who to ask when I have questions about my (outdoor) bar -- nice!

 

[PharmrJohn]

This is a difficult one for me as my own knowledge base, although steadily growing, is limited at best. First, I tend to look to those with nice looking tanks. Whatever they're doing, it's working. I also tend to take advise from those who I have some sort of personal relationship with. It's a matter of earned trust there. And age is important. Wisdom goes a LONG ways.

 

[eliaslikesfish]

This is a difficult one for me as my own knowledge base, although steadily growing, is limited at best. First, I tend to look to those with nice looking tanks. Whatever they're doing, it's working. I also tend to take advise from those who I have some sort of personal relationship with. It's a matter of earned trust there. And age is important. Wisdom goes a LONG ways.

can’t even count the amount of times I have taken your advice

 

[Naekuh]

I look at tags and reaction score first.
The more badges, i think of it like generals, they been though that many wars.
Then reaction score. Thats how many KIA's they accumulated.

 

[GARRIGA]

Take it all in and apply it to what I've experienced and researched. In the end if I can't figure it out for myself then best not get to complex with what I'm attempting. Too many variables and no two tanks ever going to be the same. Most likely then no two answers ever going to be the same, either unless it's literally fundamentals and even that can be debatable. This applies to just about anything we do.

 

[Paul B]

If I want to know something about a particular fish, I ask someone in a different hobby. Maybe a person who collects spiders, stamps or Oldsmobile parts.

Sometimes I wake up a drunken bum in Central Park and ask his advice.

Or of course, I just SCUBA dive with that fish and he will tell me anything I want to know.

 

[OrionN]

Don't take anything at face value, question everything even from "an expert". If it does not make sense right away, question the reason. Once you are on this board for some time, you will have a sense of who the good reefers are and who are the reefers that are full of BS.

 

[Dburr1014]

Don't take anything at face value, question everything even from "an expert". If it does not make sense right away, question the reason. Once you are on this board for some time, you will have a sense of who the good reefers are and who are the reefers that are full of BS.

100% even the ones with a 100 badges.
This hobby /message board is NOT a popularity contest.
We come here learn/share.

 

[NanoNana]

There will always be different approaches. And still there is usually a consensus. If any one of multiple approaches will yield the same result, I will always opt for the approach that doesn’t require adding chemicals and best fits my set up. I have a nano and it’s a pretty low tech system (lights, power heads, pumps, skimmer and filter floss). if someone says do a water change, I’m all over that. If just wait it out is an option, I go with that (patience is not my strong suit so that’s a hard one for me).

 

[jimk60]

I look at tags and reaction score first.
The more badges, i think of it like generals, they been though that many wars.
Then reaction score. Thats how many KIA's they accumulated.

I would personally never go by the reaction score. Anyone can generate hundreds of likes in a few weeks just by saying hello in the meet and greet forum. Look for the Excellence Award badge. To me that's the only one that matters

 

[BriansBrain]

How long they’ve been a member.
What the build thread tank(s) look like.
If their tank aligns with my goals.
If what is being suggested actually makes sense lol

 

[Dan_P]

I just thought this would be an interesting topic of conversation.. When I read most of the threads involving a question/advice there are of course multiple different answers to the question, as there are with many questions on this hobby.

My question is, how do you decide what advice to follow? (assuming the different answers will all fix the problem at hand)

I know this answer will vary greatly depending on the question, but are there any particular factors you always take into consideration when deciding?

Curved glass display at Aquarium Poema Del Mar that I thought was pretty awesome.

If you have trouble deciding on which advice to follow, you are going to have the same problem evaluating the replies to this post about the factors used to decide which advice to follow.

 

[Dburr1014]

If you have trouble deciding on which advice to follow, you are going to have the same problem evaluating the replies to this post about the factors used to decide which advice to follow.

You only have 3 badges. You think anyone will listen to you?

 

[Reefer Matt]

I look at tags and reaction score first.
The more badges, i think of it like generals, they been though that many wars.
Then reaction score. Thats how many KIA's they accumulated.

If not being sarcastic, I don’t suggest considering reaction scores or badges. Some Reefers just participate more than others. I have noticed some experts on here (outside of R2R staff) rarely participate. Perhaps they are just tired of answering the same questions over and over.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

My question is, how do you decide what advice to follow? (assuming the different answers will all fix the problem at hand)

That's a question whose answer is important for all aspects of life, and it is made much more so in current times where nearly anyone can say nearly anything on the internet and some people will agree.

Sadly, there is no easy way to avoid every pitfall.

In reefing, this is my advice:

1. Does the advice make sense? If it does not, that may be Ok since none of us are in a position to decide if every statement is sensible. But if it doesn't seem intuitively correct (say, my current recommendation for some folks to dose ammonia lol ), then be sure to follow up by asking questions, preferably from people who you already know to trust.

2. Do you actually know anyone who is already following this advice and is your situation sufficiently similar to theirs to draw a conclusion? unfortunately, this is not foolproof because the tank you know of may thrive in spite of a detrimental practice, not because of it. But it is at least something to check.

3. If you know of someone who seems especially knowledgeable in the area the advice is give, run it by them. Maybe more than one person for complex things.

4. Don't just accept the advice manufacturers, resellers, or service companies. Treat it the same as other unvalidated advice until it gets verified somehow. Remember they may have a clear conflict of interest in getting you to buy a good or service. A nonreef example: a trail camera I just bought said to always use a certain brand of normal AA alkaline batteries. Seriously? That doesn't remotely pass test#1 above.

5. Look to the great tanks of Reef2Reef. Those that make tanks of the month, those that have been around for a long time, etc. What do they do? Beware of tanks that get set up just for photos.

 

[landlubber]

The thing with this is, some have been in for decades and may have just found this site. Hard to know who is a freshy and who is an old salt.

While there is no doubt that does from time to time happen, (I myself am at 4 decades of being involved in fishkeeping by only got into salt in 2017) I'd bet the majority of fish-keepers that have been involved for decades have at some point investigated the forums as an opportunity to expand their knowledgebase and stay engaged in the hobby.
At the end of the day I'd still risk losing one persons advice over trying to discern who's got the best plan of action when sifting through 20 responses giving conflicting options.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I just thought this would be an interesting topic of conversation.. When I read most of the threads involving a question/advice there are of course multiple different answers to the question, as there are with many questions on this hobby.

My question is, how do you decide what advice to follow? (assuming the different answers will all fix the problem at hand)

I know this answer will vary greatly depending on the question, but are there any particular factors you always take into consideration when deciding?

Curved glass display at Aquarium Poema Del Mar that I thought was pretty awesome.

depends on a few things. one, the person giving the advice, as there are many on here that have clearly earned the trust. but also, I look to see if several people offer the same solution/advice. then I do some research of my own.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

That's a question whose answer is important for all aspects of life, and it is made much more so in current times where nearly anyone can say nearly anything on the internet and some people will agree.

Sadly, there is no easy way to avoid every pitfall.

In reefing, this is my advice:

1. Does the advice make sense? If it does not, that may be Ok since none of us are in a position to decide if every statement is sensible. But if it doesn't seem intuitively correct (say, my current recommendation for some folks to dose ammonia lol ), then be sure to follow up by asking questions, preferably from people who you already know to trust.

2. Do you actually know anyone who is already following this advice and is your situation sufficiently similar to theirs to draw a conclusion? unfortunately, this is not foolproof because the tank you know of may thrive in spite of a detrimental practice, not because of it. But it is at least something to check.

3. If you know of someone who seems especially knowledgeable in the area the advice is give, run it by them. Maybe more than one person for complex things.

4. Don't just accept the advice manufacturers, resellers, or service companies. Treat it the same as other unvalidated advice until it gets verified somehow. Remember they may have a clear conflict of interest in getting you to buy a good or service. A nonreef example: a trail camera I just bought said to always use a certain brand of normal AA alkaline batteries. Seriously? That doesn't remotely pass test#1 above.

5. Look to the great tanks of Reef2Reef. Those that make tanks of the month, those that have been around for a long time, etc. What do they do? Beware of tanks that get set up just for photos.

As usual Randy, so very well put.

 

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