RATE YOUR ABILITIES AS A FISHKEEPER!!!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

RATE YOUR ABILITIES AS A FISHKEEPER!!!

  • Novice/Amature

    Votes: 5 3.8%

  • Fairly Knowledgeable

    Votes: 25 19.1%

  • Intermediate

    Votes: 37 28.2%

  • Smarter than the average bear

    Votes: 49 37.4%

  • Expert/Stud/Chuck Norris of Fishkeeping

    Votes: 15 11.5%
  • Total voters
    131
  • Poll closed .
I said expert for a couple of reasons.
1. I have been in the hobby successfully for over 25 years
2. I have been a professional having owned a maintenance company and consulted several LFS on how to become SW and on their marketing strategies that were directly related to how they presented fish and helped other aquarist.
3. I have bred dozens of fish in the last 25 years
4. I have propagated corals since 1989
5. I have set up and designed large aquariums/ponds
6. I have taught hundreds of others thru clubs across the Midwest on how to care for both FW and SW aquariums/ponds
7. I have given tons of advice on breeding, water quality, aquascaping, and equipment on 20+ forums
8. I have kept more species of fish and corals than I can count in the last 25 years
9. I have kept planted CO2 driven tanks for over 20 years.(God bless welding supply shops)
10. When there is something I am not sure of I try to research it and when that doesn't help I go to the authors of the books to find out more.(many of which I know from frequenting the trade shows and conventions)
Expert or not, you must always be open for a discussion and be willing to try something new. Learning is the biggest part of the aquarium hobby.

I understand that expert means alot here, but outside from writing books and articles(working on an article now) I have done much more than the successful aquarist. I currently maintain 1,000 gallons in 14 tanks in my home. (down sizing soon due to unbelievable cost increases in electricity!!!)
 
Nova 8;870159; said:
Intermidiate, My tank are clean, fish are healthy and everything seems to want to breed. I'm still learning about sumps and other types of fish other then Cichlids.
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i agree with Nova i am about the same
 
Mr.Firemouth;876007; said:
I said expert for a couple of reasons.
1. I have been in the hobby successfully for over 25 years
2. I have been a professional having owned a maintenance company and consulted several LFS on how to become SW and on their marketing strategies that were directly related to how they presented fish and helped other aquarist.
3. I have bred dozens of fish in the last 25 years
4. I have propagated corals since 1989
5. I have set up and designed large aquariums/ponds
6. I have taught hundreds of others thru clubs across the Midwest on how to care for both FW and SW aquariums/ponds
7. I have given tons of advice on breeding, water quality, aquascaping, and equipment on 20+ forums
8. I have kept more species of fish and corals than I can count in the last 25 years
9. I have kept planted CO2 driven tanks for over 20 years.(God bless welding supply shops)
10. When there is something I am not sure of I try to research it and when that doesn't help I go to the authors of the books to find out more.(many of which I know from frequenting the trade shows and conventions)
Expert or not, you must always be open for a discussion and be willing to try something new. Learning is the biggest part of the aquarium hobby.

I understand that expert means alot here, but outside from writing books and articles(working on an article now) I have done much more than the successful aquarist. I currently maintain 1,000 gallons in 14 tanks in my home. (down sizing soon due to unbelievable cost increases in electricity!!!)
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well put imo !!!:) :) :)
 
rallysman;870060; said:
Fish keeping is only as hard as you make it
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x2 :)

I'd put myself at intermediate level I guess. I know just enough that if I get into trouble I know how to get out or how to find out how to get out.

I think you could be in this hobby for 50 years and not be an expert on everything. If for no other reason the mind's ability to retain info you don't use. Most people have something they're a specialty in or something they've spent the most time researching/working with. I know some stuff but couldn't tell you a damn thing about coral, don't feel the want to either though.

I dont think it has to do with how many tanks you have. I met someone with 17 tanks but she couldn't tell me the right size aquarium for 2 GT's she was picking up from me. Not that that's horrible but had alot of tanks and far from an expert I would say. Having alot of tanks is great but you could have one tank and know more than someone with 20.

I will agree being open to discussion goes a long way. If you step out thinking you already know everything than you probably the one who don't really know anything.
 
tonymofo;876107; said:
Thanks to everyone on this forum there should be no reason why we all can't be experts:headbang2 :headbang2 :headbang2 :headbang2 :headbang2
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Sure there is:

S O M E-----P E O P L E-----D O N ' T-----L I S T E N ! ! ! ! ! ! !
 
I think you could be in this hobby for 50 years and not be an expert on everything. If for no other reason the mind's ability to retain info you don't use. Most people have something they're a specialty in or something they've spent the most time researching/working with. I know some stuff but couldn't tell you a damn thing about coral, don't feel the want to either though.

I dont think it has to do with how many tanks you have. I met someone with 17 tanks but she couldn't tell me the right size aquarium for 2 GT's she was picking up from me. Not that that's horrible but had alot of tanks and far from an expert I would say. Having alot of tanks is great but you could have one tank and know more than someone with 20.
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Good points here...
Many people who don't take the time to understand the science behind this hobby have been doing things subpar and getting by for decades. Far from an expert there! I agree, time was an example but definitely not the rule!

Same as tank counts, how many LFS have way more than 1,000g on hand and not one educated, competent person employed that could give you the advise you need right now! Again, maintaining several tanks is the example but by no means the rule!

One thing that has propelled this hobby farther than any other source is these message boards! They have helped people save money, the lives of countless fish and invertabrates, and stopped so many fustrated friends of the hobby from bailing out from a lack of understanding! God Bless MFK!!!
 
This board and boards like it are great. I think the majority of people here enjoy helping people care for thier fish and inturn help the lifestyle of raising fish. I say lifestyle because building model planes is a hobby. Raising fish, horses, dogs, cats,or any living thing for that matter is a way of life. The problem I have is with the few people who think they are above others because they have more knowledge than some. I do think its only a few, but face it no matter how much you know there is always someone who knows more. Basicly no one should be above learning or seeking more knowledge when it comes to something you love. And thats what we do. We love raising fish. These boards are ment to help and have fun at the same time. I think some people get to serious at times. I'm not saying to tolerate total ignorance or neglect for a living thing but learning and the shareing of knowledge should be fun. So to those of you who are so high and mighty, CHILL OUT OR I'LL COME OVER THERE AND PEE IN YOUR TANK!:WHOA:
 
Noob
 
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