A New Perspective

Okay here comes some controversy.  It has been brought to my attention that a few people do not feel comfortable expressing their views on this forum for fear of being attacked.  This isn't directed towards anyone or towards any topic.  The concern is that poor advice may be given, or that people are giving advice based on what they've hear or read, without really questioning how true it is.  I will use an example here, because I know how some of you feel.  After all, there are things I've thought of typing and then decided not to in an effort to avoid debates.  As club president I see it as my role to help answer questions, but not create posts of personal opinion (when possible).  One example that members expressed concerns with is oolitic sand.....

For all you who promote utah oolitic sand, and think it is wonderful, you may be completly correct.  However, consider the fact that you may be wrong.  It has been defiantly argued that oolitic sand with its smaller particle size, has more surface area, and therefore more bacteria to help with filtration.  It is possible that this is completly wrong.  Current research has shown that the bacteria load in the substrate water is roughly 1000 times that of the open, REGARDLESS of particle size.  What does make a difference is the amount of water in the substrate.  Therefore, studies show that there is more bacteria available in the larger types of substrate, because there is more water in the substrate area!!!!  This is the reason for pourous rock, and for artificial media which was created to have many water pockets in the substrate.  So by using oolitic sand, you would need MORE not less of it (in terms of inches deep) to have the same amount of water in your substrate area. 

So before anyone goes around promoting ideas, please make sure you understand why you are promoting them.  We all understand this forum is intended to share ideas and opinions, but what is troublesome is when members feel hesitant to share what they feel. 

Just something to keep in mind....

Adam 

Adam - I'm not trying to start a controversy out of this topic, but I've got to say I actually kind of disagree.  I think people have been fairly honest when making posts in stating In My Opinion or From my Experience. 

Maybe its my own inexperience, but to be honest I think the one thing I've learned that there is actually really very little factual evidence involved in this hobby.  I've heard of people doing things completely different ways and it works just fine for them.

To be honest I think sometimes people are too easily offended.  If you don't want to hear peoples opinions, then don't ask has always been my motto.  If you ask, no matter what you are going to hear something that you don't like.  You've got to be willing to accept that and maybe even consider it as truth. 

Wow, I sound like I'm preaching or something.  I really don't mean to, but this is kind of a sour topic on my part.  I think posty away!  I guess I kind of like a good debate!  That really is the idea behind a good forum, isn't it?  I never saw any disclaimer stating that what you post must be based on years of research and only based upon those true findings.  If thats the case I guarantee you, that we will have far fewer postings and involvement than we do now.

I think sometimes people don't realize that it isn't them being attacked personally, rather they disagree with their point of view.  I also, think sometimes people are just out looking for excuses to not be involved.

Well, I could go on and on, but this is just my .02 worth.  As well as just my opinion.

POST AWAY!!!

Now it is my turn.  IMO, this is a question and answer, give ideas, to show how proud I am, and many other forms of expression, forum isn't it?  If we all put on our blinders and did it the same old way as everyone else then there would be no need for this form.  If I give an answer to a question and it is way off base, don't you think it would be the right of the form to correct me.  If it be in the form of an attack, I feel the admin. should step in and let them know they need to tone it down.  I don't think we have someone that can monitor 24/7, but it is an idea.  That is what RC does and it seams to work.

In going back through the forms, I have found that all of the information is just advise, you can take it or leave it.  There might have been some strong advise, but we still have the right to take it or leave it.  There is, IMO, no one that has the correct way of doing things, just their way.

I hope this has helped.  I don't want people to leave this forum, because they thought their thought or idea was correct and then had it corrected by someone else.  That is what this forum is for.

Great replies, thank you.

Adam

I'd like to make a suggestion.  Perhaps when we come to a "hot button" topic such as the GSL oolitic sand we make it out of bounds to disscuss if it's "good or bad" on the board.  When a new member joins the list, an email could be sent to him stating that such and such topics are not discussed on the list and refer them to a (new) section of the WMAS web site.  In the new web page section there could be a pro and con prewritten discussion regarding it's use.  Anyone wanting to add comments to the section can.  Say Mark writes something up on why he feels it's ok and Marcus writes up something on why it's not ok (and others too).  Then we're done with it.  No more message board disscusions.  I think if we don't have something like this, every newbie on the board is going to ask "can I use GSL oolitic sand in my tank" and all the old wounds will be reopened or someone won't give their opinion because they don't want to be shouted down by the other side again.  We can just refer the person asking that question to the prewritten report.

I envision the document being somewhat dynamic.  As opinions/experience changes it too should change.  It might benefit from a moderator.

This would not excude other topics concerning GSL oolitic sand from disscussion on the message board, such as "how deep a bed?", "what color is it?", "is there more bacteria in an oolitic bed or a coarse bed ?", ect...

I agree with Brad A. "Debates are good and necessary for furthering the hobby.  I also agree with the "Advanced Aquarist" forum and "New to the hobby" fourm.  These are two areas I think we should think about.

Ditto to what Ryan said.  There is no such thing as a stupid question, nor is there a such thing as a stupid answer.  Someone may answer something that no one else agrees with but that is still his/her opinion.

It is too bad that we have to post about things like this and not just post about our tanks.