How long have you been reading reef forums?

[Bender 2]

Just curious how long some of you have been researching reef tanks online. I started after getting very bad info from a certain LFS over 10 years ago. I couldn't understand why I was having so many problems with my tank. I was told by the LFS that I could keep a clam under regular flourescent bulbs because my Oceanic lightstrip reflector would double the output of the bulbs

I first started reading Reef Central, Aqualink,and Reefs.org, back in the fall of 1999. I lurked for a while and registered in April of 2000. Reef Central was where I spent most of my time. I didn't start here until Junkzoo got our local forum hooked up here (which was a great move IMO)

Online forums sure have changed the hobby and become very popular. I remember when you could read all the new posts for the day on Reef Central in a few minutes. Try that nowadays

Deep sand beds and live rock were all the "new" rage. I even remember the founder of RC and the subsequent falling out.

I don't want a flame thread or to debate some of the hottest topics of the past and present, just some of the "old timers" as well as not so old timers discussing the forums and their experiences.

Ok, i'm done babbling now, your turn.

[1-900-REEF]

I have been reading reef forums for over two years now, not nearly as long as some.
I think its amazing what the forums have done for the hobby.
My first attempts at keeping corals were over 15 years ago. Wet Dry filters & VHO lights were all the rage. Some of the best information I could find was at the lfs! I cant tell you how many flame scallops, horseshoe crabs, etc. I tried. The local fish stores loved me!
Anybody remember the shop in Osceola, I can't remember the name, & Midwest Pets in Elkhart?

[grallster]

I've been reading RC for about 5 yrs.--since before I set up my reef. Like Aaron, I never hung out here till Jeff put the club thing here (which was a good move).
I think online forums have been more important to reef tanks than all the new, better skimmers and Ca reactors and gadgets. Honestly, I had had FOWLR tanks for awhile and didn't even what had become possible with reef tanks (guess I kinda stagnanted in the hobby) until I stumbled upon RC one day.
I too remember Midwest Pets and how they said that green carpet anemone would do fine in the bottom of a 120 w/NO fouresecents (sigh). I guess trading frags is my penance for all the "unfortunate learning experiences".
The forums are the best for DIY stuff and money savers. Not to mention, the ingeinus way some people come up with solving a problem--and doing things differently. That's why I really dig the plumbing and fish room pics best of all!

[Junkzoo]

Thanks for the nice comments Aaron.(and Dave)
I had been in the hobby for a while , back in the U/G filter days,(early 80's, and had FW boxes of water since i was prob 6-7, yup THAT long LOL) just b4 powerheads replaced airstones LOL, and did most of in getting info was from LFS's and from the hobby mags available out there , not to mention any book i could get my hands on.

Prob did a search online for stuff reef/salt water related, found a few of the bigger boards, and for whatever reason , i found TRT. and pretty much stayed here exclusively soon after i joined up here. One, i like the whole deal about TRT , and secondly i ain't got time to look around at other sites too much

TRT fits my bill pretty well, and it's not a flame fest when ideas collide, and that's good enuf for me.

We have a lot of very knowledgeable people here, and everyone is ready to help out anyone that asks for it, even if it's a time worn question from a newbie.

[ckusnierek]

I've been posting for about 8 months but lurked for over a year. I tried RC but didn't like the "atmosphere" there. I'm soo glad I found TRT or I would be doing everything Jim (mwc) told me to do

[Bender 2]

Chris,
RC

[Bender 2]

Chris,
Reef Central has gotten very large and unpersonal. There are so many members and so much information in so many posts that it is hard to keep up. Some of the topics and people can get pretty heated as well. I am pretty happy right here on TRT

[bklynmet]

Registered on RC in 2004 .. there were still some good experts there... I mainly go back there now to keep up with threads of a few members... I loved RHFs comments in the chemistry forum until he left back at the beginning of summer...

I'm a member of about 6 forum but active in 3.. .TRT, Michiganreefers and RC...

[digitalis]

June 2006, I was on Michigan Reefers, RC and TRT.