Inadequate information

[BIG-G]

This may be a stupid idea but lend me your ear if but only for a moment.

What about a little notification that came up each time you started a new thread (or perhaps in certain areas) where it asks something like "Please take a moment to look at the following threads to provide the necessary information for us to better help you" then it has a few links to threads where it would help people know the information they need to provide.

I think this idea could work.
Maybe in the disease and health section and generally aquaria possibly.
Something simple, just a reminder that if you are asking for a treatment for a sick fish or water quality problem to include: Tanks size, stock list, Ammonia, nitrite,nitrate, temperature and Ph.
I’m sure there’s maybe more like water change scheduled, how long the tank has been setup, etc.
But, I don’t think it needs to be very long or complicated.

 

[twentyleagues]

This is probably a bit too much for a first post. Remember a lot of new members are totally inexperienced and come here for help. It's possible they don't even know what half these things are. I think water parameters, tank size , filtration and tank mates are a decent start.
There's several members who tend to always answer all these type of sick fish questions which is commendable but , and I don't mean to sound rude or blunt, if it's a drag or frustrating then maybe don't respond. It's nice that you want to help but it shouldn't be a chore or irritation, maybe take a break from it until you get the vibe again.
I too find it very annoying when I see the question posted "what are your parameters " and constantly see the answer "water is fine". If I was trying to help I'd Be tearing my hair out too to have to ask this several times a week.

This is a personal pet peeve of mine. I don't want to sound rude or angry with them but I am when I read that. My usual response is "what exactly is fine in your mind" . The other one is when the questions are completely ignored.
I don't know how to fix this. It seems like this posting parameters ahead of time before the thread will post is a good idea I just don't know how it would/could effect the site. It may cause someone who doesn't know but is willing to learn to not post because they don't understand what is being asked.

 

[BIG-G]

This is a personal pet peeve of mine. I don't want to sound rude or angry with them but I am when I read that. My usual response is "what exactly is fine in your mind" . The other one is when the questions are completely ignored.
I don't know how to fix this. It seems like this posting parameters ahead of time before the thread will post is a good idea I just don't know how it would/could effect the site. It may cause someone who doesn't know but is willing to learn to not post because they don't understand what is being asked.

I agree. Maybe just a reminder and not a mandatory form to fill in.
I’m sure they will be people that ignore it if it’s not mandatory.
I think that’s when we as a community we just have to politely ask for the information needed.

 

[duanes]

I agree a questionnaire that would prompt more consice info could help to answer posts.
But whether or not a panicking noob would see it, much less know to fill out, or even have info like water parameters is another story.
From the posts I see, most people go into fish totally blind, believing you pour some water in a box, let it sit a day or 2, and toss in a fish.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

To me, this is a case of six one way, half a dozen the other. I mean there is likely roughly an equal and unpredictable amount of trouble whether we do it or not.

I'll try to explain.

[1] A rookie has to fill out a form and finds it is a challenge and that they have to learn a few things first and learn them quickly (oh, bummer!), which takes some time. The sickness of their fish remains unaddressed meanwhile. On the other hand, a rookie is posting one liners like here for 3 pages and many days -- https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/redtail-catfish-suddenly-not-eating.727839/unread -- while the fish is wasting away too.

[2] A rookie reads the questionnaire and decides not to post. The fish dies soon thereafter. Or a rookie fails to provide the needed info anyway in their thread, gets ignored or given shot-in-the-dark advice. The fish dies soon thereafter.

[3] Use your imagination.

In the end, I am for the questionnaire. We know how things work half-buttocks without one. We don't know how they'd work with one. Maybe we'd address the left butt cheek...yet lose the right... or not... who knows.

* * *

I don't think directing someone to read anything works. This is akin to asking to a chicken to read a manual before crossing the road. One will actually read it, 999 will get squashed.

 

[tlindsey]

This may be a stupid idea but lend me your ear if but only for a moment.

What about a little notification that came up each time you started a new thread (or perhaps in certain areas) where it asks something like "Please take a moment to look at the following threads to provide the necessary information for us to better help you" then it has a few links to threads where it would help people know the information they need to provide.

Not a stupid idea but a frantic newbie to the hobby with a fish dying or acting unusual to them would probably avoid the notification about the threads and seek help asap.

 

[Chicxulub]

Great discussion folks. We seem to be coming to a consensus.

I believe that the approach may be fairly simple. I have a very wide variety of things I can add to a subforum as a mandatory thing that must be done before a post can be created. It is entirely plausible that I could add a blurb along the lines of:

"In this area where questions are asked regarding health, husbandry or compatibility, I recognize that I will be asked questions relating to my tank size, water change schedule, filtration and water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, etc). I am prepared to answer these questions, and will do my best to report factual information, to include my not knowing, so that those who wish to help me can do so effectively. Furthermore, I recognize that if I know this information, I should include it in the original post"

And have a drop down menu of yes or no.

I have a habit of being very wordy so I can parse that down if need be.

Also, would we want this in GAD, Diseases, and Filtration; or just Diseases? Personally I think it would become a pain if outside of diseases.

What say you all?

 

[esoxlucius]

It's rightful place is obvious but how many fish related problems do you also see popping up in other sections, especially by people who are new and not familiar with the site. This new approach wouldn't work with those oddball out of place posts. But I think as a starting point the disease section would be good and see how we go from there. If people continue to post their problems in other areas that will be something we can address later maybe.

Thinking about the template with the mandatory fields, it seems to be a bit much, especially when you start getting into the amount of questions they'd have to address before the system would allow the post through. It'd be like being back at school. I think you are spot on with having a short paragraph just to push the poster in the right direction. A lot better.

I think we'd all agree that the current system isn't exactly broke, but a tweak or two would help no end just to make it that bit better.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

If it was my call, I'd shorten the questionnaire rather than typing up a disclaimer. I predict it will get ignored 5-9 times out of 10.

There is no reason to expect that the info will be given in the OP as requested by the Chicx's passage. There is every reason to think it will continue to be more or less the same because often even after a poster is asked repeatedly for ammonia nitrite etc readings, even by multiple helpers, these questions either get ignored or get "it's fine" answer or even get attitude.

 

[Chicxulub]

If it was my call, I'd shorten the questionnaire rather than typing up a disclaimer. I predict it will get ignored 5-9 times out of 10.

There is no reason to expect that the info will be given in the OP as requested by the Chicx's passage. There is every reason to think it will continue to be more or less the same because often even after a poster is asked repeatedly for ammonia nitrite etc readings, even by multiple helpers, these questions either get ignored or get "it's fine" answer or even get attitude.

That post smacks of the truth. I suspect you're probably right my friend.