• Folks, if you've recently upgraded or renewed your annual club membership but it's still not active, please reach out to the BOD or a moderator. The PayPal system has a slight bug which it doesn't allow it to activate the account on it's own.

Gives Saltwater a bad view

M

mickeysreef <*))))<

NJRC Member
i dont blame him really.

there is a fundamental lack of education in reef keeping. sure it (kinda) exists if you search online. but really who knows what to believe with all the conflicting information its a sad state of affairs when people direct everyone to watch brs videos. im not knocking brs, but truth in fact they are a commercial vendor making videos for a profit.

a guy like this ends up in petco or his lfs and ask the employee (99% of the time without basic knowledge - i mean this is a $10/hr job right?) can i keep a fish or coral? sure why not?

actually glad he made the video, maybe it will keep those without a true desire to be in the hobby out.
 
Goodair

Goodair

Even 6 months in is still early.

"There is so much information available to you as a newbie that sometimes it can seem completely overwhelming, a lot of the information out there is good and comes from solid, knowledgeable resources, but there are also some stinkers out there! Particularly within the social media groups. I see bad advice being given on a daily basis on those groups & worse yet I see people get absolutely slammed for asking what others feel is a silly question. It puts you off asking for any advice on those forums."

This quote is true as there is so much information, when researching, I had no idea what half the stuff was talking about, and the 52 weeks of reefing from BRS was helpful, but god that was a drag. Alot of the stuff starts to make sense as you go, and hopefully he wasn't only going off the advice of a shop.
 
W

Wilson

I feel like the best way to get into the hobby is to have a sadistic friend drag you in. That's how I got in, and the people I know who've joined, were also slowly drawn into the cult by myself or a friend. Watching videos is great, but having a copilot makes a big difference. Even if it's just to bounce ideas and hold up the stop signs. Someone you're comfortable with asking 101 "stupid" questions with no hidden agenda.

Fish stores and vendors can be helpful, and there are definitely some great ones, but they are usually just green lights all around. Have an issue? Buy these products to solve it, and see you next week with new problems!
 
erics210

erics210

Secretary
NJRC Member
I remember when I got my tank, January 13, 2016.
My used Oceanic 210 gallon MONSTER!
My first Salt tank after years of freshwater. Easy right. HA!
1614714783603.png
Luckily I started a new office job around that same time. I was able to watch video after video on each topic I wanted to explore.
Staring with DIY Sumps, Aiptasia removal possibilities, ****ty lighting, crap lighting, bad lighting, ok lighting and then the adequate lighting options I couldn't afford videos.
Oh, Good times....
 
Salted

Salted

NJRC Member
Wilson said:
Fish stores and vendors can be helpful, and there are definitely some great ones, but they are usually just green lights all around. Have an issue? Buy these products to solve it, and see you next week with new problems!
Click to expand...
Experienced this first hand. My son started before I did and boy was he misled on stocking from one shop in particular a few times early on. Everything they recommended is out of his tank, all at a loss to him.
 
Jamie S

Jamie S

NJRC Member
As much as I’ve learned from the BRS videos I’ve also felt misled a little or maybe I misunderstood. For example I kept hearing “heavy in, heavy out” in regards to feeding and nutrient export but what I failed to realize is that only holds true if you have an established tank and know what your doing. Not for a noob with a 6 month old biocube. Needless to say the biocube is in reset mode but the mistakes I made there is helping me know a little better for the 125. I’m definitely open to a wingman to help me make some decisions on some things. I need to learn from an experienced reefer for sure. I’d rather ask questions here than the lfs or Petco.
 
ctg0209

ctg0209

NJRC Member
Wilson said:
I feel like the best way to get into the hobby is to have a sadistic friend drag you in. That's how I got in, and the people I know who've joined, were also slowly drawn into the cult by myself or a friend. Watching videos is great, but having a copilot makes a big difference. Even if it's just to bounce ideas and hold up the stop signs. Someone you're comfortable with asking 101 "stupid" questions with no hidden agenda.

Fish stores and vendors can be helpful, and there are definitely some great ones, but they are usually just green lights all around. Have an issue? Buy these products to solve it, and see you next week with new problems!
Click to expand...
My brother in law got me hooked and now I’ve got 2 tanks and he’s out of the hobby. Way to leave a guy hanging lol
 
MadReefer

MadReefer

Vice President
Staff member
NJRC Member
Moderator
I started fish only and then a co-worker broke there 20g tank down. They gave fish and coral; been downhill from there. He got a new job and have not heard from him in quite a few years.
 
erics210

erics210

Secretary
NJRC Member
FUNNY thing is my brother in law had a tank up since 1998.
In 2016 it was HIM urging me on to get into salt!
just a few months later, and we stopped talking for unrelated reasons.
SMH
 
MadReefer

MadReefer

Vice President
Staff member
NJRC Member
Moderator
When I was about 10 or 12 my aunt and uncle has fish only salt tank. Well their prized batfish got sick so they took it to the vet.
It died anyway. I still laugh about this; who takes a fish to the vet.
 
DEL

DEL

President
Staff member
Board of Directors
NJRC Member
Moderator
I've been in the hobby over 18 years now. til this day I'm still researching and reading. even experts like Sanjay, reefbum, melev, etc are still learning. it shows how complex this hobby is. but that's the fun part of it. if people can't devote time to learn, they are in the wrong hobby. the joy and satisfaction when you see corals growing and thriving is such an amazing feeling, especially when you know you had something to do with it. we have all lost hundreds/thousands of dollars while we try to replicate what's in the ocean. but its the risk we take to have that small piece of the ocean in our homes.
 
NikkiT

NikkiT

MadReefer said:
When I was about 10 or 12 my aunt and uncle has fish only salt tank. Well their prized batfish got sick so they took it to the vet.
It died anyway. I still laugh about this; who takes a fish to the vet.
Click to expand...
ummm. . . . I've done this. I also got Rx for corals back in the day when interceptor was available, also from a vet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top