Contructive review before I move on

[rgunther]

I wish to add my constructive review to this web site. I keep large Asian fish and despite the massive size of your web site I struggle to find a place for my fish in your forum classifications. I keep Pangasius, Barbs (forget the genus you know what 'barbs' are), Leptobarbus and Balantiocheilos, and Labeo (shark like cypriniids). I dont give a flying F about cichlids so personally I'd like to avoid them as much as possible within the structure of you web site.
In particular I struggle with the forum format where by the very nature of forums data is never turned into information. eg filter through the posts of duplicated photos and 95% 'pat on the back' and 'gee nice fish' posts to at least facts and some sort of vaguely unqualified opinion.
Almost all my fish which are not 'bottom dwellers' but are barbs and barb like fish (a massive number of species) catfish that are pelagic not bottom dwellers like Pangasius and Pangasianadon (they dont sit on the bottom). Can I suggest a couple of new threads such as 'ID my fish', 'barbs and carp or shark like fishes' or the likes. I cant believe you have categories for freshwater Puffers but none of my common monster Asian fish.
Seriously I want to contribute my knowledge but there is no way I can scan through the huge number of new posts or meaningless updates to old posts that come though each day. I know everyone puts their own time into making this what it is and the easiest job in the world is a critictic. If you want someone to turn data into information within my area of expertise I will commit to help.
ps. someone please help those guys that have been trying to build a monster tank for years. A bit of common sense or involve a builder and it could be done in a couple of days. Its just something that holds water for Christs sake.

 

[Egon]

I wish to add my constructive review to this web site. I keep large Asian fish and despite the massive size of your web site I struggle to find a place for my fish in your forum classifications. I keep Pangasius, Barbs (forget the genus you know what 'barbs' are), Leptobarbus and Balantiocheilos, and Labeo (shark like cypriniids). I dont give a flying F about cichlids so personally I'd like to avoid them as much as possible within the structure of you web site.
In particular I struggle with the forum format where by the very nature of forums data is never turned into information. eg filter through the posts of duplicated photos and 95% 'pat on the back' and 'gee nice fish' posts to at least facts and some sort of vaguely unqualified opinion.
Almost all my fish which are not 'bottom dwellers' but are barbs and barb like fish (a massive number of species) catfish that are pelagic not bottom dwellers like Pangasius and Pangasianadon (they dont sit on the bottom). Can I suggest a couple of new threads such as 'ID my fish', 'barbs and carp or shark like fishes' or the likes. I cant believe you have categories for freshwater Puffers but none of my common monster Asian fish.
Seriously I want to contribute my knowledge but there is no way I can scan through the huge number of new posts or meaningless updates to old posts that come though each day. I know everyone puts their own time into making this what it is and the easiest job in the world is a critictic. If you want someone to turn data into information within my area of expertise I will commit to help.
ps. someone please help those guys that have been trying to build a monster tank for years. A bit of common sense or involve a builder and it could be done in a couple of days. Its just something that holds water for Christs sake.

I think another issue with this forum is the value put on the number of posts an individual has accumulated. It encourages numerous and meaningless posts.

I do enjoy the tank builds and I understand there's a balance between entertainment value (just fun to read) and information value. It's frustrating, especially in the aquarium builds, but that's mostly isolated. I find the fish areas more "to the point" and I agree lets add a few more fish species to our forum.

Also if possible, pull out the aquarium builds from the DIY forum and give them their own area.

 

[Pharaoh]

I wish to add my constructive review to this web site. I keep large Asian fish and despite the massive size of your web site I struggle to find a place for my fish in your forum classifications. I keep Pangasius, Barbs (forget the genus you know what 'barbs' are), Leptobarbus and Balantiocheilos, and Labeo (shark like cypriniids). I dont give a flying F about cichlids so personally I'd like to avoid them as much as possible within the structure of you web site.
In particular I struggle with the forum format where by the very nature of forums data is never turned into information. eg filter through the posts of duplicated photos and 95% 'pat on the back' and 'gee nice fish' posts to at least facts and some sort of vaguely unqualified opinion.
Almost all my fish which are not 'bottom dwellers' but are barbs and barb like fish (a massive number of species) catfish that are pelagic not bottom dwellers like Pangasius and Pangasianadon (they dont sit on the bottom). Can I suggest a couple of new threads such as 'ID my fish', 'barbs and carp or shark like fishes' or the likes. I cant believe you have categories for freshwater Puffers but none of my common monster Asian fish.
Seriously I want to contribute my knowledge but there is no way I can scan through the huge number of new posts or meaningless updates to old posts that come though each day. I know everyone puts their own time into making this what it is and the easiest job in the world is a critictic. If you want someone to turn data into information within my area of expertise I will commit to help.
ps. someone please help those guys that have been trying to build a monster tank for years. A bit of common sense or involve a builder and it could be done in a couple of days. Its just something that holds water for Christs sake.

I think another issue with this forum is the value put on the number of posts an individual has accumulated. It encourages numerous and meaningless posts.

I do enjoy the tank builds and I understand there's a balance between entertainment value (just fun to read) and information value. It's frustrating, especially in the aquarium builds, but that's mostly isolated. I find the fish areas more "to the point" and I agree lets add a few more fish species to our forum.

Also if possible, pull out the aquarium builds from the DIY forum and give them their own area.

I will not necessarily disagree with the lack of information/threads/forum for the fish you speak of, however... I will comment on the other things.

It is true. Post counts don't matter. To some people they do, but most pay no attention. But, if you are posting pictures of your fish, tank builds, stand builds, fish rooms, etc, the comments such as "Nice tank" should be allowed. That is why people post these pictures. They want feedback, whether it is constructive criticism or just a plain old atta-boy.

A lot of the time, tank build are restricted by money. If they could afford a person to come and build the tank for them, why not just buy a tank. If you are a person who likes to get their hands dirty, then all the fun is in the build. some people build things as a new idea or new concept to share with other DIY fanatics. It is the way of the DIY world and I see nothing wrong with it. In many cases, building these large complicated setups in not nearly as simple as one might think.

Tank builds should most certainly stay in the DIY section. If you are doing it yourself, then it belongs in the DIY section. To many separation of the forums would make it hard to find information.

If you do not want to see the "extra" posts. There is the capability to filter the thread based upon the original poster. That migt be the route for you to simplify things.

 

[packer43064]

The reason these large fish tank builds aren't done in a few days is because not everyone is rich. Most people can't spend 5k on a build at one time so they buy things here and there and slowly make it. Most, I will not say all of the MFK'ers on here obviously, are from the US. IDK if you have noticed but our country isn't going to well, people losing jobs left and right. It makes sense to spend a little here and there instead of using a months income in just a few days then you lose your job.

You don't have to answer every new post nor do you have to look at posts you don't like, just SKIP THEM.

So I can't post a pic of my Oscars jsut because it has already been posted? There is now a media lounge so we don't have to see the Pics of fish that are just for fun. Again if you don't want to see that fish or want to hear people say stuff like "oh, nice fish" then SKIP that thread.

There done ranting. Most people will vouch that this website is spectacular and maybe your just expecting too much. Just my opinion though.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

I agree with you about some of the tank builds. I have seen build threads for very very common tanks in the last year, like 90g,125's etc etc. And I think those should not be in there. There not even builds, these people buy these tanks and at the most reseal them and then set up. Its crazy how some people need attention like a drug I guess. But about your fish problem. You do not have to share what fish you have. Or interact with other people that have the same speceis if you don't want to. And if you do want to then thats the price you have to pay. I also feel your pain about the cichlids. I think cichlids are the feeder fish of the aquarium trade. I do own 2 pbass though, only cause they sell them every where and i could not find anything unique.

 

[Egon]

I think rgunther's point was he wants to see some more fish species added and I may have derailed his thread by commenting on the DIY tank building forum.
I agree, add the fish species he requested. If rgunther has valuable information I would like it in this forum! The more members the better.
Pharaoh, thanks for the "filter" tip I honestly didn't know about that

 

[Stump]

I wish to add my constructive review to this web site. I keep large Asian fish and despite the massive size of your web site I struggle to find a place for my fish in your forum classifications. I keep Pangasius, Barbs (forget the genus you know what 'barbs' are), Leptobarbus and Balantiocheilos, and Labeo (shark like cypriniids). I dont give a flying F about cichlids so personally I'd like to avoid them as much as possible within the structure of you web site.

There is an "Other Monster Fish" section just for that reason... Other monster fish that don't fit into another category. Search through some of those, or make your own thread about whatever fish you want to.

In particular I struggle with the forum format where by the very nature of forums data is never turned into information. eg filter through the posts of duplicated photos and 95% 'pat on the back' and 'gee nice fish' posts to at least facts and some sort of vaguely unqualified opinion.

This is a public forum where many members enjoy hearing feedback from other enthusiasts, whether it be good or bad. If you are looking for 'facts' and 'information', why look at threads where members are showing off their fish/tanks? Of course there is going to be a lot of "pats on the back", and "nice fish" posts... That's why they are there.

Almost all my fish which are not 'bottom dwellers' but are barbs and barb like fish (a massive number of species) catfish that are pelagic not bottom dwellers like Pangasius and Pangasianadon (they dont sit on the bottom). Can I suggest a couple of new threads such as 'ID my fish', 'barbs and carp or shark like fishes' or the likes. I cant believe you have categories for freshwater Puffers but none of my common monster Asian fish.

Just because your fish isn't a 'bottom dweller' doesn't mean you can't post in the Catfish section... Catfish are catfish afterall.

Seriously I want to contribute my knowledge but there is no way I can scan through the huge number of new posts or meaningless updates to old posts that come though each day. I know everyone puts their own time into making this what it is and the easiest job in the world is a critictic. If you want someone to turn data into information within my area of expertise I will commit to help.

What is your area of expertise, and how would you suggest turning 'data into information' on these boards? What in specific?

If you want to contribute your knowledge, do it. If you want to make a post, or a bunch of posts detailing what you know about certain fish, do it. There is nothing stopping you.

The board's "search" function (you can search through specific forums and threads) is very useful for finding information. Read through some stickies, even.

I like the "ID my fish" idea. Maybe make a sticky just for that reason, so there aren't countless new posts asking "what's this fish?"

 

[twin_caleb]

personally I think there are some very valid points here, but I think in a bigger picture, that this forum isn't just an information source. Now I am not saying there aren't huge amounts of valuable information on this site because there are. I am amazed at the expertise of several members on here, but more importantly this site brings many people together with a common interest. For people like me (and many others in some areas of the US) small town USA doesn't offer many fish keepers other than occasional fish bowl or way overstocked 10 gal. tank so it's nice to be able to get on here and share my experiences with other people who share the same passions as I do

 

[dbcb314]

barbs = other monster fish

catfish = catfish section regardless of where they swim

don't click threads you don't like

everybody happy

 

[cichlaguapote]

I agree with you about some of the tank builds. I have seen build threads for very very common tanks in the last year, like 90g,125's etc etc. And I think those should not be in there. There not even builds, these people buy these tanks and at the most reseal them and then set up. Its crazy how some people need attention like a drug I guess. But about your fish problem. You do not have to share what fish you have. Or interact with other people that have the same speceis if you don't want to. And if you do want to then thats the price you have to pay. I also feel your pain about the cichlids. I think cichlids are the feeder fish of the aquarium trade. I do own 2 pbass though, only cause they sell them every where and i could not find anything unique.

There's always more than one way to skin a cat. And one reseal thread might lack info that another pertains. I don't think it's an attention issue. It's being an active member and sharing.

While you might think that about cichlids. Cichlid owners might think the same about whatever fish you keep. Everyone has their right to they're own opinion. And a right not to double click on a thread/sub forum.

There is an "Other Monster Fish" section just for that reason... Other monster fish that don't fit into another category. Search through some of those, or make your own thread about whatever fish you want to.

Correct! Barbs, and anything else that doesn't fit into a sub-forum that we have already should go into Other Monster Fish. Feel free to create a info thread there discussing barbs/barb species. When we see that barbs need their own section due to thread volume we can create one.

The site has alot to offer. I'm sure you can find things you dislike about everything in life. Your job. Your family. Your car. Your signifigant other. But all are great assets.