CLARITY

[hongqixian]

May I suggest that whenever someone asks for help and gives tank specifics BE SPECIFIC;

I see all these posts that say things like: I need help for this, got problems with this but all water parameters are fine.

Say, it's a newbie and the newbie tests for pH, nitrate, ammonia and those are fine, so the newbie automatically puts water parameters are fine. When the problem in the particular case is an iodine overdose and that has not been tested for;

it gives a wrong impression to people trying to help. Iodine overdose means water parameters are NOT FINE.

So when posting, it is a bad idea to say that:

My water parameters are fine(can/does one measure everything??)

My coral is healthy (only by the poster's standards of judgement, that's a common problem that newbies have when posting)

Instead, say:

I've tested for ###### and the ###### levels are thisthisthis which are fine (not 'this level is fine', STATE the level!. There are many different opinions of 'fine'. 9dkh for alkalinity may be fine to someone when it is unacceptable to another)

I have 120 watts of 10000k and actinic lighting on my 30gallon tank. NOT (i have good lighting).

People can only help if you are specific, or we tend to assume things.

In short: Be specific and don't just state your opinions.

[Tanzy]

I agree. I find that I have to ask some questions to get more info before answering the question itself. It will help speed up the time it takes for you to get an answer.

[rrrobt]

hongqixian this is for you

[hotsoup]

Some of us might find it difficult to express ourself, not to mention in words. We have to understand their situations and take into considerations that certain things take more than mother nature can explain

[hongqixian]

I get ur point, hotsoup.

Oh yes, I'm not trying to blame anyone here of anything, just pointing out what I observe in many forums so no one take any offense OK? This will help everyone get their questions answered faster and better

[hotsoup]

We all are trying to help. May I suggest AT(if possible) to come out with a solution checklist for new reefers. This will help to minimum the confusion caused.

[Sinn]

i think other experianced reefers could do that for us...

Would Tanzy come out wiff the checklist ?

Cud ask AT to help pin it up...

[Tanzy]

ME!?!?! What do you mean solution checklist? I don't really get you?

I'll gladly contribute but you'll need to elaborate more.

[hotsoup]

For example, option buttons reflecting asking for water parimeters, kind of fishes, corals etc. kind of question and answer survey.

[Tanzy]

Water Parameter

1) Tank volume and size

2) S.G.

3) Temperature (daily range)

4) pH (daily range)

5) Alkalinity

6) Calcium

7) Ammonia

8) Nitrite

9) Nitrate

9.5) Phosphate

10) Do you use carbon? (brand and frequency)

11) Describe your filtration system. (cannister or sump,etc)

11.5) Do you use protein skimmer? (type)

12) DSB or Plenum? (Depth and grain size)

13) Algae presenct? (Green, red, slime, hair, etc)

14) Amount of livestock and are they behaving normally? (Corals opening and fish eating)

15) Refugium?

16) Additives or supplements used including liquid nutrition? (dosing regiment)

All I can think of at the moment.

[hotsoup]

Anyone to add on?

[Tanzy]

For example, algae problem

1) Water parameters (as many as possible especially nitrate, phosphate and pH)

2) Lighting type and K rating

3) Photo period

4) Direct sunlight?

5) Colour of algae

6) Texture of algae (slimy like mucous or dusty)