Why?

[skjl47]

Asking a fish related question on a forum is like playing Russian roulette for a good answer.

look at information and cut the crap from it and see what you believe is right.

so everything is biased somehow

Hello; Much will depend on how experienced a person is when going to a forum such as this. For the newest just getting into the hobby I do not see how they know what is sound information and what should be ignored.
I started on forums after decades already in the hobby. I had an idea about what works and what does not from making a lot of mistakes for a long time.
A good example of how confusing and wide ranging opinions can be is the topic of water changes.

Add to the ordinary confusion and diverse opinions on almost every hobby related topic, the folks who are deep into some form of personal crusade. Puffer fish comes to mind.

To all the things having been said so far in this thread let me add that there is a wealth of good information on this forum. How I wish this resource had been available 50 years ago. Even with the problems of sifting thru the BS to find a few gems, a forum such as this would have been an overall benefit.

I get that conflicting forum opinions might have sent me in wrong directions for a time, but my guess is the time frame of chasing down a wrong path can be very much shorter now a days for newbies.
The simple concept of a quarantine tank (QT) is an example. I went for a lot of years before catching on to this very useful practice. A newb may not start using a QT right away but the concept will be introduced to him/her a lot quicker.

 

[Toiletcar]

Hello; Much will depend on how experienced a person is when going to a forum such as this. For the newest just getting into the hobby I do not see how they know what is sound information and what should be ignored.
I started on forums after decades already in the hobby. I had an idea about what works and what does not from making a lot of mistakes for a long time.
A good example of how confusing and wide ranging opinions can be is the topic of water changes.

Add to the ordinary confusion and diverse opinions on almost every hobby related topic, the folks who are deep into some form of personal crusade. Puffer fish comes to mind.

To all the things having been said so far in this thread let me add that there is a wealth of good information on this forum. How I wish this resource had been available 50 years ago. Even with the problems of sifting thru the BS to find a few gems, a forum such as this would have been an overall benefit.

I get that conflicting forum opinions might have sent me in wrong directions for a time, but my guess is the time frame of chasing down a wrong path can be very much shorter now a days for newbies.
The simple concept of a quarantine tank (QT) is an example. I went for a lot of years before catching on to this very useful practice. A newb may not start using a QT right away but the concept will be introduced to him/her a lot quicker.

I agree with most of this. But even the most experienced people make mistakes. Most haven't owned every single fish species available in the hobby. Myself included. I have been mostly keeping CA cichlids for 30 years now. That is where most of my knowledge is. Someone ask a question about geos, I wouldn't know about every species. Just because I've kept fish for 30 years doesn't mean I know everything.
Also science and the hobby are constantly evolving. Some people stick to old info, and don't care to keep up with changes. So you ask a question online, you will most likely get old info. And when you offer new scientific info in articles published by scientist, you often get push back from people who cling to old info. They can get pretty nasty too.

 

[skjl47]

But even the most experienced people make mistakes

Hello; This is correct. I hope my posts did not seem to imply that my experience stops mistakes. I still make them. Fewer mistakes after learning the hard way for a long time, but new situations crop up.

Just because I've kept fish for 30 years doesn't mean I know everything.

hello; I have learned from others on this forum.

Also science and the hobby are constantly evolving

Hello; Yes. water test kits are a good example. From nothing for the home fish keeper when I started to long and involved test procedures I could only use when I had access to a university lab and now to decent water test kits each of us can have in our home for a reasonable price.

get push back from people who cling to old info

Hello; I do this about the UGF (undergravel filters) quite often.

 

[RD.]

In this hobby, and in life in general, everyone can learn something from the person at the next tank over.

 

[Grinch]

Conflicting opinions will occur even when both parties know what they are talking about. The challenge we all face is deciding who to believe regarding a given question when we don't have fish-resumes to compare.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

To all the things having been said so far in this thread let me add that there is a wealth of good information on this forum. How I wish this resource had been available 50 years ago. Even with the problems of sifting thru the BS to find a few gems, a forum such as this would have been an overall benefit.

This is very true.
When I started in the hobby my source for info was asking my dad,the guy at my local fish store and some outdated books.
I do believe this forum is a massive resource of very good information and it's pros definitely outway it's cons.
Regardless of who answers a post,there are normally enough replies for the newbie to gage from and go with the majority opinion.

Conflicting opinions will occur even when both parties know what they are talking about.

This is also very true.
I have gotten into some pretty strong arguments with some members.
Ironically some of these members opinions on things I also respect the most.
RD, nudge nudge.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

think everyone develops their own style of keeping, so everything is biased somehow

This is also very true. Must admit I can be guilty of this.
People can want totally different things but with the same fish.
My angle tends to lean towards biotopes, but there is nothing wrong in keeping a group of Australian rainbow fish with a pair of nicaraguense. However it's not how I like to do things so i would never suggest it.
I should be more open minded with my suggestions.

 

[Hendre]

This is also very true. Must admit I can be guilty of this.
People can want totally different things but with the same fish.
My angle tends to lean towards biotopes, but there is nothing wrong in keeping a group of Australian rainbow fish with a pair of nicaraguense. However it's not how I like to do things so i would never suggest it.
I should be more open minded with my suggestions.

Biotopes are awesome but can be difficult to do, as long as parameters and behaviour work out then no problems surely

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Biotopes are awesome but can be difficult to do, as long as parameters and behaviour work out then no problems surely

No problem at all.Thats what I'm saying.
Advice can be to suit the tastes of the person giving it.
Sometimes there is a bigger picture.

 

[BIG-G]

Also science and the hobby are constantly evolving. Some people stick to old info, and don't care to keep up with changes. So you ask a question online, you will most likely get old info. And when you offer new scientific info in articles published by scientist, you often get push back from people who cling to old info. They can get pretty nasty too.

So what you're saying is, My fish wont grow to suit the tank its in? I can't keep an oscar in a ten gallon, because it won't stop growing once it reaches that perfect fit?