Which Recommendations Do You Listen To?

[Oldreefer44]

IMO, if someone is telling you: "do this' or "buy that" because it's what they did or what they bought, then you need to be a little skeptical because it is human nature to seek validation for choices we have made. Whereas if someone gives you multiple ideas or product options and asks to to do some research on your own or asks you for more information, then, to me, they are looking at it from your perspective versus their own.
If there is actual data included then that certainly helps validate their opinions. Also, just by reading forum articles and posts you will learn who the most respected members are. Lastly, there are several informative You Tube presenters who have weekly guests that will actually show you what they are doing and what the results are.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

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.

Randy, I feel like you summed up the answer to the question perfectly!

 

[UMALUM]

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

To me badges are like jewelry...
Some got the real deal while others turn green when tested.



I'm fine not wearing any at all.

 

[PharmrJohn]

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

Thanks man. I never speak to something that I don't know about. What is frustrating to me is that I can't yet respond to more queries. Especially (most) diseases, (most) lighting and almost all coral questions. But at least it gives me a goal to meet a standard I set for myself.

 

[GARRIGA]

As one who doesn't have a build, I take offense to that being a qualifier

This guy be lost in space if he only listened to those with pics of prior landings

 

[Dan_P]

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

 

[PharmrJohn]

As one who doesn't have a build, I take offense to that being a qualifier.....

Hey! Neither do I! Im working on it! I think I'll take it personally as well......

 

[GARRIGA]

Hey! Neither do I! Im working on it! I think I'll take it personally as well......

and no badges

 

[Dom]

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 think the reaction score is nonsense. In many cases, the reaction score is the result of pretty pictures posted in reply to a welcome post.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I think the reaction score is nonsense. In many cases, the reaction score is the result of pretty pictures posted in reply to a welcome post.

Yep.

 

[Reefer Matt]

You can view every post that someone makes here as well by tapping on their “messages” count . That gives you a sense of where they’re at in reefing, and what their motives are for posting. Hardly anything gets deleted here.

 

[IceNein]

Yeah, most of them are just marketing products. I noticed they only come on here (if at all) just to promote something.

Part of the problem is that it seems like everyone wants to be an influencer, so they're very eager to get all the free Aperture Pet and Life products and then tell you they're going to give their honest and unbiased opinions, and then proceed to tell you how much they like all their products, often uncritically, not comparing them to cheaper alternatives etc.

Now if someone *nudge nudge* goes on about how much they like their Jebao pumps, I find THAT person more believable because I know they're not trying to sell me products, but giving advice.

 

[GARRIGA]

I've always dreamed of being in a cult but first must find one that has a build with pretty pictures and high reaction score loaded with so many banners that by the time I get to the bottom I've forgotten who it is but then I look at the pretty pictures again and I'm clicking follow...

 

[Reefer Matt]

Part of the problem is that it seems like everyone wants to be an influencer, so they're very eager to get all the free Aperture Pet and Life products and then tell you they're going to give their honest and unbiased opinions, and then proceed to tell you how much they like all their products, often uncritically, not comparing them to cheaper alternatives etc.

Now if someone *nudge nudge* goes on about how much they like their Jebao pumps, I find THAT person more believable because I know they're not trying to sell me products, but giving advice.

Yeah, free stuff sounds nice in theory, but I am too stubborn and cynical to try and pursue sponsorships, etc. I also don’t like the idea of misleading people and being obligated to a company to make the videos a certain way, I already have a career.
Not too many of them offer products for reviews with no strings attached either. But all of my tanks do have Jebao wavemakers. Not because that’s all I can afford, but because they work well for me. I usually try the cheapest option first. But as far as doing reviews, I might just skip them now. I don’t want to influence anyone, I’m just sharing my reefing journey.

 

[landlubber]

Going by start date?
Don't let the date fool you as I'm sure I was on RC before Randy.

noooo... you're focusing on 1 of 6 things i mentioned.
Start date can be helpful but also can be meaningless if the hobbyist has been doing things wrong since the beginning and drops the classic "it works for me"

 

[Bruttall]

I’ve been doing that also, check marks and puppy avatars mostly for years. As you can see from the picture of my tank I took just this morning my coral growth is exploding and their color is beyond popping. Those fish are fat and happy! This tank has been up and running over 2 1/2 years, stunning I know.

lol!!!! seriously, tears on my cheeks!! thank you

 

[kevgib67]

lol!!!! seriously, tears on my cheeks!! thank you

Your welcome, finally someone who thinks I’m funny! I never thought it would happen. You weren’t smoking something prior to reading my posts?

 

[Bruttall]

As one who doesn't have a build, I take offense to that being a qualifier

This guy be lost in space if he only listened to those with pics of prior landings

How was the flag "rippling" in space? always wondered about that.

 

[Bruttall]

Your welcome, finally someone who thinks I’m funny! I never thought it would happen. You weren’t smoking something prior to reading my posts?

I may or may not have been or not currently in any way been or just been not doing...... what are we talking about?

 

[kevgib67]

I may or may not have been or not currently in any way been or just been not doing...... what are we talking about?

That was a very clear specific answer, I’ll take it as a yes or no. Thank you for clearing that up.