Congrats to tdwyatt May's Featured Member!

[Brooke]

The nominations are in.....and May's featured member is tdwyatt!

Congrats Tom! Tom has been hanging around TRT for over 2 years sharing his extensive knowledge of chemistry and reefing. Tom helps answer the tough questions, while supplying a healthy amount of wit and humor.

Thanks Tom for your participation on the board.....and for helping us understand what is *really* going on in our tanks!

Brooke

[cath]

Way to go, Tom!!!! Mawnin' from the Upstate of SC, where muggy is the order for today!

Tom was the man who got me interested in this addiction. I may not understand all the chemistry, but I do understand his humor. Now that's a scary thought Thanks so much for all the help and, of course, the frags.


Hooray for the East Coast!

[Rick O]

Woo Hoo! Congrats Tom. You done the south proud. I may not understand everything you say but it sure sounds good.

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Hey Tom! Another great TRT hobbyist gets recognition for sharing his vast amount of knowledge in areas like chemistry(yuk). Tom, your posts are always very informative and long and I enjoy reading them!
Congratulations on the honor!! Johnny

[UnseenTric]

Congratulations Tom! Well deserved.

[FishDaddy]

Congratulations, Tom!!!
A well-deserved recognition for your contribution to TRT and our hobby! (Not to mention being an all-around great guy! )

Tom's practical and scientific experience has been a significant resource to new and experienced reefers alike. His willingness to share his knowledge and time is well-known to those who are personally acquainted with him. I've got Xenia and Rhodactis in my tank from Tom's reef!

Way to go, Tom!
Dick

[nickg]

Way to go Tom, with all the words you've typed on this bb, it's about time someone gave it up to you Thanx for all the help!

[Doug1]

Congratualations Tom, way to go and for always helping out with simple explanations We want tank pics

[ShirleyM]

CONGRATULATIONS TOM!! AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR VERY INFORMATIVE POSTS!!

I've printed out many of your longer posts for myself, another reef friend, and for young Drew, A.K.A. Dipstick. My son, biochem major, explains the hard parts to me, and you've not only inspired our approach to reefing and reef management, but for me, I've taken quite an interest in trying to learn some of the science behind the chemistry involved. The enthusiasm you inspire and generate softens the learning curve just a little.

THANK YOU for all you do, all your time, and your gift of teaching in a way we can learn!!

Shirley

[Alice]

And well deserved! I know you put a lot of time and effort into your replies on this board as well as helping new hobbyists in your own local area. You've been a great help to me; yourself and Doug were my first online mentors and we've shared some triumphs and hard lumps over the last few years.

Thanks, Tom

Alice

And no, NASA never did give me that grant

[cyberchef]

Congratulations Tom... Well deserved I know for me you've been a great help.

I also would love to see some tank pics...

[asmith]

Congratulations Tom! We are very lucky to have you here on this great board!

Andrew

[Sand Reef]

Congrats, Tom!! Thanks for all the help.

[tdwyatt]

Well!

Actually, I am a little surprised (and a little embarrassed as well), as I never really consider what I do here as more than a selfish advancement of one of the things that I have a passion for. I always appreciate the kind comments and thanks for the information that I post on TRT. I think somewhere around the time that things first starting kicking up here there was a flame to one of the newbie questions (that was quickly put out, I might add). Several of us responded, but I posted something then that pretty much summed up why I have stayed here and posted only occasionally on the other marine aquaria BBS. It is that TRT has been and will always be a home for dissemination of correct and accurate information for marine reef husbandry without fear of ridicule nor belittlement for new reef keepers. It is hard enough for new keepers to get started without fear of someone's ego taking a chunk out of them. TRT started out as a BBS that builds a knowledge and experience base for beginners and experienced reef folk alike; flame free, and although there have been times when there are differing opinions, new thought and open discussion have always been encouraged. I have always had the philosophy that there are really no stupid questions, and that unsubstantiated claims (heh, think M@r( W@!$$...), dollar-driven motives, and outright fraud have, over time, eroded the reliability of a good bit of the legitimate information available to hobbyists. Anything that I can do to present good solid information that promotes the well-being of the creatures we care for presents its own reward for me. To me, the value of the lives we care for and the microenvironments we tend to is not measured in dollars: each creature has its own unique value, whether it was $2 to buy or $200... ...none of them are expendable.

Each time I read about another reefer reaching the mature tank level I cheer for them. Many of you have some creature from one of my systems, and although I love to get new critters from folks, I still send out stuff without ever considering a swap or a buck for the same (heh, don't get any ideas!). Reading about Shirley's young student makes me so proud for Shirley, for TRT, and the hobby in general, as these young folks are the future of not only our hobby, but the future of our environment. His education here and in his home and schools will help shape the future of all of these things. Thank you to those of you that help introduce and educate these new reefers.

I have to say "Thank you!" to all of those of you that have written the congrats both here and in email (Heh, I didn't know what some of these were for this morning!!!), but especially I have to thank Brooke and Jon and all the other folks that have made this venue possible. Folks that post their own brand of good information, good humor, the occasional tease (heh, happy birthday again Greg!), those of you that help to answer the repeated newbie questions ("...I have algae growing in my tank..." ), those that manage the overall system, and those that offer different and new points of view all make this BBS what it has become today. I salute you each and every one. Thank you for being who each of you are!

Once again, thanks to all of you for making TRT the community that it has become. Much like a family of brothers and sisters: differences appear, egos conflict; but the good of the whole prevails, and we stay on target for our shared marine aquatic goals. I am humbled by the strength of this collective effort!

Thank you all for the recognition, I truly appreciate your each and every effort here.

[Brooke]

Wow, Tom...truly touching and well said (got a lump in my throat). You're welcome....and again Thank You!

Brooke
(leave it to Tom to post a lengthy Thank You j/k )