Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board

Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/index.php)
-   Reef (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=8)
-   -   Information sources... (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=66005)

Wayne 07-01-2010 01:55 PM
Information sources...
 
Does anyone have one particular website that they can say has the most current and truthful information?

Because everywhere I go I find different information that contradics the previous website! I understand that there are a variety of different lets say for instance ToadStools. But honestly there should be some source out there that will show you a picture, give you a scientific name, and tell you how to take care of the darn thing.

How are we supposed to take something that belongs in the sea and put it into this little glass box and expect it to survive, without a good source of information avaliable (preferably free).

Sorry about the rant.

naesco 07-01-2010 02:27 PM
Best information sources IMO

Best book: Robert Fenner, The Conscientious Reef Aquarist

Best site: www.wetwebmedia.com and here.

There are many others as well.

nlreefguy 07-01-2010 02:46 PM
Best coral book is Aquarium Corals by Eric Borneman, by a long shot. Best general marine aquarium book is The Reef Aquarium series (particularly #3) by Delbeek and Sprung. But yes, best beginner's book is Robert Fenner's I agree. I've read just about every reef aquarium book there is! Most of them are, quite frankly, only of marginal benefit.

Best website is probably Reef Central (hope I don't get in trouble for saying that!). Just for the wealth of info, though. By far the nicest people are on here! (and I'm not just saying that!)

nlreefguy 07-01-2010 02:48 PM
Oh yes, one caveat though - a lot of what you read on any forum website is just an individual's personal opinion or experience and must be taken with a grain of salt. But the more people you get saying the same thing, the more likely it is to be true, I guess.

mark 07-01-2010 03:05 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by nlreefguy (Post 531542)
Oh yes, one caveat though - a lot of what you read on any forum website is just an individual's personal opinion or experience and must be taken with a grain of salt. But the more people you get saying the same thing, the more likely it is to be true, I guess.
Or more people are just repeating what they read without any practical experience. For a reference I'd probably stay away from posts in a forum.

Another good book for the list is the Marine Atlas by Debelius/Baensch

whatcaneyedo 07-01-2010 04:04 PM
I prefer a good book (I have 16... not all good) over most websites and certainly over the opinions of the majority of people on forums.

If you have any water chemisty questions these articles by Randy Holmes Farley are unbeatable http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=102605

For overal tank setup and management I'm a big fan of the Reef Aquarium Vol 3 by Delbeek and Sprung as well.

For coral care I dont generally look at websites either. Borneman's Aquarium Corals is also my favorite.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/subject/index.php has some more really good in-depth articles on various subjects and its easy to find them on this index page.

nlreefguy 07-01-2010 04:25 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark (Post 531545)
Or more people are just repeating what they read without any practical experience. For a reference I'd probably stay away from posts in a forum.

Another good book for the list is the Marine Atlas by Debelius/Baensch
In general I agree, but for something like "is this a good protein skimmer?", one can only rely on the experiences of others since there are no formal reviews or research on such things, in general. But yes, as far as advice on how to keep your reef, you're far better off going with a published and researched source.

mark 07-01-2010 05:18 PM
^ sure, I agree totally if you want an opinion or suggestion, forums are great. That why I'm here and on other sites. To be able to put up a post and get a reply from around the world, this internet thing is amazing.

Now for some things where the answer can have a big impact on a decision, like how big does that sweetlips grow, it's like asking the 16yr old at the LFS, not saying the answer is wrong but you take your chances. I'll look into a book or on-line reference.

lastlight 07-01-2010 05:40 PM
sweetlips max out at about 1-2". FACT.

I really like going to a massive user pool when it comes to finding equipment reviews. For cases where I have a question and don't want to be buried in posts within 5 min and want a longer-term conversation our forum is much better I think.

Wayne 07-01-2010 06:19 PM
Anyone like the Scott W. Michaels book?

whatcaneyedo 07-01-2010 07:28 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne (Post 531581)
Anyone like the Scott W. Michaels book?
I have the 500+ Marine Fishes book by him. Its pretty brief but if all you're looking for is some quick information on a common species its good one to own. If you want more information he has a series of several longer books but I've never bothered with them so I cant comment.

Wayne 07-01-2010 07:48 PM
Those were the ones I was considering for when I go to set up my next tank (in a year or so). Going to need to plan it out much better then I have with this one ;) I am really thinking 120G is the magic number. I just like the look of 4' tanks

I think I will have a look at some of these other books mentioned aswell though :)

mark 07-01-2010 07:53 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by lastlight (Post 531571)
sweetlips max out at about 1-2". FACT.
1-2", damn, the kid was right. Guess the fish would have been okay for the 20g.

Wayne 07-01-2010 08:14 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark (Post 531599)
1-2", damn, the kid was right. Guess the fish would have been okay for the 20g.
LOL that would be funny to see someone buy that and then figure out they get to 2'5"

DiverDude 07-02-2010 06:32 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by nlreefguy (Post 531560)
In general I agree, but for something like "is this a good protein skimmer?", one can only rely on the experiences of others since there are no formal reviews or research on such things, in general.
Actually, while this seems to be a good question to ask, you have to realize that unless you are VERY specific as to your requirements and trust that the person(s) replying have carefully considered all your requirements (and have the expertise in the first place), then the quality of the information you get can be quite poor.

To use the skimmer example, you would need to describe your system in detail -system volume, reef/FOWLER, SPS or LPS dominated, fish type and quantity (today and where you expect to go with it in the future) etc. etc.

The person replying should have used a particular skimmer on a similar system and should point out any differences that may be a factor.

This rarely happens though so what you get is what was a good skimmer for THEM but may be less than ideal for you -because you have different needs. This is, in part, why books usually steer clear of that kind of information and stick with conceptual information, like how a skimmer works and the different types.

Take anything you read here (or on any forum) with a grain of (sea) salt. No one will intentionally steer you wrong but the information you get may not be best for you an your setup. Of course, you should never blindly follow what anyone suggests either -look for a consensus from a number of people before you act.

Wayne 07-02-2010 11:34 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by DiverDude (Post 531748)
Actually, while this seems to be a good question to ask, you have to realize that unless you are VERY specific as to your requirements and trust that the person(s) replying have carefully considered all your requirements (and have the expertise in the first place), then the quality of the information you get can be quite poor.

To use the skimmer example, you would need to describe your system in detail -system volume, reef/FOWLER, SPS or LPS dominated, fish type and quantity (today and where you expect to go with it in the future) etc. etc.

The person replying should have used a particular skimmer on a similar system and should point out any differences that may be a factor.

This rarely happens though so what you get is what was a good skimmer for THEM but may be less than ideal for you -because you have different needs. This is, in part, why books usually steer clear of that kind of information and stick with conceptual information, like how a skimmer works and the different types.

Take anything you read here (or on any forum) with a grain of (sea) salt. No one will intentionally steer you wrong but the information you get may not be best for you an your setup. Of course, you should never blindly follow what anyone suggests either -look for a consensus from a number of people before you act.
AMEN!!!

Everyones tank is so different! When I bought my Red Sea Prism Skimmer it saies right on the box the gallon rating for what you have in your tank. Minimal fish up to 100gallons to a max bio load with fish and corals to like 20gallons (just off the top of my head). Just goes to show that the skimmer has to be purposed specifically to each tank and its inhabitants.

nlreefguy 07-03-2010 01:28 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by DiverDude (Post 531748)
Actually, while this seems to be a good question to ask, you have to realize that unless you are VERY specific as to your requirements and trust that the person(s) replying have carefully considered all your requirements (and have the expertise in the first place), then the quality of the information you get can be quite poor.

To use the skimmer example, you would need to describe your system in detail -system volume, reef/FOWLER, SPS or LPS dominated, fish type and quantity (today and where you expect to go with it in the future) etc. etc.

The person replying should have used a particular skimmer on a similar system and should point out any differences that may be a factor.

This rarely happens though so what you get is what was a good skimmer for THEM but may be less than ideal for you -because you have different needs. This is, in part, why books usually steer clear of that kind of information and stick with conceptual information, like how a skimmer works and the different types.

Take anything you read here (or on any forum) with a grain of (sea) salt. No one will intentionally steer you wrong but the information you get may not be best for you an your setup. Of course, you should never blindly follow what anyone suggests either -look for a consensus from a number of people before you act.
I agree, look for a consensus from a number of people, that's exactly what I was saying except in different words. Plus, there is no chance of getting any other source of information of such nature. Nobody does empirical reviews on things like skimmer performance or, say, ease of use of a type of calcium reactor (just for example), so all you have to go by when looking for that information is consensus from a number of people i.e. "opinions".

nlreefguy 07-03-2010 01:30 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne (Post 531821)
AMEN!!!

Everyones tank is so different! When I bought my Red Sea Prism Skimmer it saies right on the box the gallon rating for what you have in your tank. Minimal fish up to 100gallons to a max bio load with fish and corals to like 20gallons (just off the top of my head). Just goes to show that the skimmer has to be purposed specifically to each tank and its inhabitants.
Also a good example of how you (and every other victim of Red Sea, myself included) could have saved themselves some money and frustration if we had seeked out consensus/opinion/user experiences on reef forums prior to the purchase!

Myka 07-03-2010 11:03 PM
My favorite online source would be Reef Keeping Magazine online.

nlreefguy 07-03-2010 11:14 PM
Or Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine is pretty good:

www.advancedaquarist.com/

Myka 07-03-2010 11:44 PM
^ Agreed. :)

Wayne 07-04-2010 02:50 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Myka (Post 532014)
My favorite online source would be Reef Keeping Magazine online.
Wow cool magazine. Really like that DIY artical on the light hangers :)

Myka 07-04-2010 04:16 AM
Well if you have approximately 78 weeks, you may be able to read all the archived articles they have on there. Tonnes, and tonnes of really good information. I look towards hard published materials for information more than the internet. If it is hard published (like a magazine or book) then people tend to be more discriminatory on what they write and suggest sticking to proven methods, and discussing new methods with an open mind, but also a good warning. :)

nlreefguy 07-04-2010 01:17 PM
Of particular interest to me was the series of articles they did on comparative skimmer performance. Air stone, anyone???


All times are GMT. The time now is 12:59 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.