Top 10 Newbie Questions

[Carpentersreef]

SKBok came up with a great idea, to make a sticky thread that addressed the most common questions asked by newbies that seem to be asked over and over again. (See the Feedback Forum - Questions, comments, suggestions)
Can you guys help with the list? I'm going to use the search function and pick out some threads that came to mind that answered common questions.

Mitch

 

[SPC]

Mitch, Righty did this same thing a few weeks back, I can't remember the name of the thread however.
Steve

 

[jchonline]

I am fairly new to the hobby also, but it seems that many people point me to articles/suggestions from about.com. Here is one on Lighting I found to be good general info.

Marine Aquarium Lighting

 

[Chucker]

judyb and jchonline, thanks for replying. I think we have a pretty good idea of the topics that should be covered, but what we're trying to do is compose a collection of threads that already exist here on the bulletin board. Quite a few of them are already in the archives, and many more are still hidden gems in the general discussion forum.

Our goal is to find these threads, group them by topic, and add them to a sticky thread at the top of the forum that is readily visible to all. What we're asking everyone to do is reply to either one of the threads in the Q&A forum with a thread that you've found helpful on a given topic. Something like " Kalkwasser- http://www.reefs.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=26&t=000096 " is what we're looking for. Submissions would be appreciated!

 

[newreefman1]

Exactly.

What is kalkwasser and how do I use it effectively?
Do I need a protein skimmer?
How do I get rid of nuicance Algaes?
How do I cycle a tank properly?

what Kind of lighting to I need?and for what kinds of corals?

What is a sump?
What is a refugium and the benefits?

What is a DSB? How does it help?

Im sure we can find links to all of these..ill start my hunt and post back...those are just a few I thought of in about 30 secs

J

 

[jamesw]

Great! We'll do our part and y'all do yours. At the end of this excercise we should have a great resource.

Cheers
James Wiseman

 

[davelin315]

Why not start out with giving advice from initial set up for a newbie considering the following:

1. they probably have not had experience with saltwater before, or very limited, especially since we're talking reefs
2. they possibly got advice on setting up a tank by adding things like amquel or stress coat
3. they probably have a very very limited budget

With these considerations in mind, just filling up the tank would be a great place to start, since many people don't understand the basics of setting up a tank in the first place, and many of us use methods that have evolved over the years contingent on bank accounts and knowledge (an example is that I started out with using tap water and amquel and other similar products, went to pure dechlorinator, and now use RO for my reef, and eventually might go RODI).

 

[Scottis24]

Being uneducated about the issue what's wrong with stess coat? I know enough to run a system and that RO/DI is better but enlighten me or point me to a thread about it please.

 

[scottrader]

As a newbie I can offer some suggestions.
In the equipment accumulating stage what kind of lights for different types of tank - marine/reef.

suggested filtration methods.

suggested fish/live rock combinations

if allowable - recommended web retailers

Believe me I can go on and on if you like

 

[judyb]

I also am a newbie and I have LOTS of questions. Definitely lighting is a big issue. One problem I have is that I don't know enough to understand most of the posts I have read about lighting.

How about some really basic instruction on various additives and about testing water quality.

I've already made many mistakes. Mostly out of ignorance and/or being overly enthusiastic.

Already thought I've gotten good advice from this list. It's great.

 

[Mouse]

Isn't that what the Librarys for

 

[Chucker]

Again folks, I think we all have a pretty good idea about what topics need to be covered.

What we need from you is a listing of threads that made you say, "wow, that thread helped me a lot- I really think someone else can benefit from it, too."

 

[Carpentersreef]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by SPC:
<strong>Mitch, Righty did this same thing a few weeks back, I can't remember the name of the thread however.
Steve</strong><hr></blockquote>

oops! (too much time in the sump)

oh well...

calcium/magnesium

powerheads

closed loop circulation

books

Mitch

 

[Anonymous]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Mouse:
<strong>Isn't that what the Librarys for

</strong><hr></blockquote>

It should be, as should the search feature, however it is pretty evident that these features do not get usedas they should. Most people will post the question again and again.

My idea was pretty simple, just put those top threads on top and maybe people would get their answer rather than reposting a question that had been answered ad naseum. Maybe it would also help bridge the gap between those new to the hobby and the "old salts" that had been covered in another thread.

Not being a member of this board (although I have been in the hobby for a while) it is difficult to know where these prized jewels are, 2 great examples (the Kalk and Hair Algea threads) have been submitted. We all just need to dig through and find them for the mods.

 

[Carpentersreef]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by SPC:
<strong>Mitch, Righty did this same thing a few weeks back, I can't remember the name of the thread however.
Steve</strong><hr></blockquote>

o.k.,

I found

Righty's thread and thought I would post it for more food for thought.

Mitch

[ February 05, 2002: Message edited by: Carpentersreef ]</p>

 

[WWiley]

How about one of the threads on good skimmers and one of the threads on bad skimmers.Foods and additives. What a healthy fish or coral looks like alot of newbies fail because what they bring home is half dead to start with. WW

 

[davelin315]

Stress coat adds a lot of unwanted chemicals to your water. If I'm not mistaken (and I could be), one of those chemicals is a high concentration of phosphates. Basically, anything that you add to your water that is not a trace element or some type of specialized food is probably not a good thing.

 

[Rich-n-poor]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Chucker:
<strong>Again folks, I think we all have a pretty good idea about what topics need to be covered.

What we need from you is a listing of threads that made you say, "wow, that thread helped me a lot- I really think someone else can benefit from it, too."</strong><hr></blockquote>

Chucker and James:
The basic problem with posting the threads is some people like me are computer illiterate.

For example I didn't even know what the little "" marks at the top of this post were for until Quillen explained it to me

That being said heres my suggestions:

The recent Kalwasser thread to which briefcase replied (I may have started it, not sure) but found it extremely helpful.

Any Good Additive thread. this is a question I see all the time and which I asked myself.

How about some of the survey threads:

the one on filtration pretty much shows that nearly everyone here uses DSB and LR

or the does size really matter ? which gives a good overview of everyones tank capacity.

BTW......Hi Mitch

_________________
Mercedes Benz Atego

 

[EmilyB]

I think the scientific threads like craig bingman's site etc should be stickied. But a lot of other things are just opinionated after all. Likely the stickies then, IMO should be for for the higher echelon to decide... cj?

 

[Carpentersreef]

additives

skimmers

Mitch