A question for Everyone about the Newbie forum
 

When I was living in Nova Scotia.I was a newbie on the reef site there.We had mentors that we would go to for help.Preferably someone that was close to you if emergency arissed.I found this to be very helpful.And the newbie wouldnt post what they thought was a stupid question they would contact that mentor for them.Also a newbie wont post alot of their questions as they dont wanna look stupid to all the other reefers especially if they lost some expensive coral or fish.Cause we know how the boards get sometimes with different opinions of people who post.And that could end up pushing some of these people away in discouragement.I would be more than willing to be a mentor to someone.I have been in the hobby for 3yrs but FW for 12yrs(discus Breeding) but I still consider myself a newbie.I still learn stuff everyday from the board as well as other people.If I do have a question I sometimes PM someone to ask for advice.I know the only stupid question is the one thats not asked.Sometimes newbies feel threatened,and intimidated by the answers they get. Just a thought do you think this is too much in regards to the newbie idea?What are some opinions?I know everyone has lives and are busy.But we are all on here at some point.Maybe we would have 5 PM's instead of 1 or none.

George

What an excellent idea. I consider myself a newbie although I have been doing this or at least trying to for just about 3 years. The first 2 were a real stuggle but what I learned was invaluable and although I still have a lot to learn would love to have a mentor that I could ask question of and would be willing to try and help someone else.

Hi,

About 2 to 3 years ago, we used to have a mentorship program at Canreef. I used to mentor along with several others on the board. I am sure we can restart that program.

- Victor.

It's good to see some backup on this one.When I asked one of the staff about it htey said to post and see. I wasnt sure what to expect.But from my experience with it it was an excellant idea and worked really well.

george

I found it useful when I was starting out to get many different peoples opinions... I would even post on different boards... then compile the info and make an informed decision... I found this to be helpful...

Just a thought

I did this as well/still do :wink: Get a general consensus for your problem and then go from there :biggrin:

sounds like an AA thing :mrgreen:

My name is Jim... and I'm addicted to reefing....

I'm in... coming up on 4 years in reef and since I was a kid in FW... like everyone else I certainly don't know everything, but have the bank statements... (maybe I burned them... :mrgreen: ), to prove what I've learned... :redface:

ROLF :drinking:

My name is Anthony & I, too, am an addict..... I have spent more on fishfood than on groceries :redface: ..... Even on the days when I worked 14+ hours, I usually still sneaked onto Canreef :redface: (sign of true addiction).

George, the Mentoring program is a great idea. As a newbie in certain aspects of this addiction (ie. sumps/plumbing), I always had the phone numbers & pm addresses of certain local reefers whom I trusted & respected & I wasn't afraid to use those contacts. I've communicated lots with other newbies when they've had their questions that I felt I could help with because I truly believe that what goes around, comes around. The important points are the willingness to help and the knowledge of our own limitations, so we don't try to give advice on stuff we're not sure about ourselves. With MSN, long distance plans, pms & email, it's getting easier & more convenient to help each other out.

However, I do advise newbies to do a search on this board & others on the topic or question before hand, because 9 out of 10 times at least, that topic or question has already been dealt with in-depth on the boards. If people put in the effort ahead of time to help themselves, then it reduces the time necessary to answer questions that have been answered many times before.

Just my thoughts on the topic.

Anthony :biggrin:

Sounds like a great idea I'd be in.

Cheers
Tyler

This is great honestly I wasnt sure what to expect.I think another day and we can maybe make up the list and let the new people know who is availiable for mentors and we can go from there.This is gonna be different as I still consider myself a newbie only 3yrs in so far.And yes Addiction is powerful in this hobby.I cant stop either.

george

Sure a mentor is a great idea, but I would qualify that by stating that the mentor should be in the same geographical area. I, for instance, would consider it a great idea to go without the expense of RODI water. I would, however, only advise this for my immediate area because I know from experience that it works here. :rolleyes:

Similarly I do very well without a skimmer. Again, it works for me, and might not work for a beginner. For those reasons it might be better to post questions on a number of boards, and make an informed decision from the answers. :biggrin:

I don't think this mentor thing is that best idea. Every reefer has different opinions and different ways to do things. Personally I think that getting many peoples opinions are much better then just one. By seeing things from many different perspectives the newbie would be better equiped for what would work best for them.

Who really needs a mentor anyways as there is a thriving community of reefers all ready to help out the newbs right here on Canreef and other such forums as well. :cool:

Sort of with Muck on this, a mentor though good is still one person's perspective but there's many ways to approach this hobby.

Ensuring the attitude on this board stays 'the only stupid question is the one not asked' keeps benefiting all.

I for one am new In this hobby. I have posted stupid questions before and had a another person say "why do you keep asking the same question" well the answer is i only got a couple replys and it was not always the correct info as I have found out later so I am open to all idea's. and even today I still post questions and only get a single reply but at least someone gave me some information and I thank them for that. I find on another reef site you post something and in 5 min you have about 5 viewings and most likely a reply. Yes I relieze more member online but there not always local. like this site It's like any hobby or job ask someone with the "experience" Not all books tell you how and if your new well which books are right? "We were all there once new to this hobby" I think if everyone helps all fellow reefers than the hobby will be more enjoyable I have see different setups and lighting etc. I have meet other reefers personally and learned from them and there mistakes and seen there tank setups and now have some friends in the hobby and consider them someone I can ask questions too as well as post a topic here. :smile: