All too often i see members both old and new asking for help and i think its time someone posts a basic guide members should follow when asking the community for help.
If you can't list them all that's fine, but please try your best if you want an accurate or possible answer to your question. Most questions should only be answered with the following information available to members. Even if only a small percentage follow this it would inevitably improve the site.
I constantly see threads that go unnoticed , avoided, and even answered with incorrect or incomplete advice because the original post is missing crucial information.
The following is what i believe should be present in every post when a person is asking for advice.
List the amount, the last time they have been used,changed, and if any of the issues came about soon after.
Tell us about your light. IE: Bulb amount, intensity (LED %)wattage, configuration, total hours. If available, listing your Fixture's distance to the waterline/sandbed can actually help.
PARAMETERS
Start by listing your last known, current, and even your desirable levels. We can't begin to answer questions or give guidance without this information. Writing that levels are in line means nothing to anyone that is going to give you any type of good advice. You should be listing your results entirely for someone to help with your tank.
Temperature
Include how it is measured ie: thermometer or controller. List any known swings.
PH
Include how it is measured IE: time, test kit, or probe. (Let us know if you probe has been properly calibrated and when)
Salinity
Tell us how you are measuring your salinity. IE: Refractometer , hydrometer, taste test:shocked:. Let us know if calibrated and when. Understand that different salinity levels will give different outcomes when testing your tanks ALK,CAL,& MAG.
Phosphate
List the test kit brand - Please note, Many of the lower end test kits are not even suitable for testing phosphate as they cannot register low levels.
Ammonia
Nitrate
Nitrate
Alkalinity
Calcium
Magnesium
List test kit brand used. Let us know if you have completed more then one test and if these results have been tested with a second kit. Let us know about any changes you see
Then of course write clear and legible when you actually write your question
If you can't list them all that's fine, but please try your best if you want an accurate or possible answer to your question. Most questions should only be answered with the following information available to members. Even if only a small percentage follow this it would inevitably improve the site.
I constantly see threads that go unnoticed , avoided, and even answered with incorrect or incomplete advice because the original post is missing crucial information.
The following is what i believe should be present in every post when a person is asking for advice.
- A photo of your tank
- Tell us your personal aquarium experience
- List your tank size (water volume, dimensions, and age)
- List the equipment you are running
- List the current chemicals, media, treatments, or anything that you are currently adding to your reef and the amount.
List the amount, the last time they have been used,changed, and if any of the issues came about soon after.
- Tell us where you are getting your water from?
- Tell us your tank Maintenance
- List your current livestock
- List your current Salt Mix
- List your current lighting
Tell us about your light. IE: Bulb amount, intensity (LED %)wattage, configuration, total hours. If available, listing your Fixture's distance to the waterline/sandbed can actually help.
PARAMETERS
Start by listing your last known, current, and even your desirable levels. We can't begin to answer questions or give guidance without this information. Writing that levels are in line means nothing to anyone that is going to give you any type of good advice. You should be listing your results entirely for someone to help with your tank.
Temperature
Include how it is measured ie: thermometer or controller. List any known swings.
PH
Include how it is measured IE: time, test kit, or probe. (Let us know if you probe has been properly calibrated and when)
Salinity
Tell us how you are measuring your salinity. IE: Refractometer , hydrometer, taste test:shocked:. Let us know if calibrated and when. Understand that different salinity levels will give different outcomes when testing your tanks ALK,CAL,& MAG.
Phosphate
List the test kit brand - Please note, Many of the lower end test kits are not even suitable for testing phosphate as they cannot register low levels.
Ammonia
Nitrate
Nitrate
Alkalinity
Calcium
Magnesium
List test kit brand used. Let us know if you have completed more then one test and if these results have been tested with a second kit. Let us know about any changes you see
Then of course write clear and legible when you actually write your question
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