Do Marine/Reef Beginner seminars/workshops exist?

[clawlan]

I am looking forward to getting into the marine reef hobby from freshwater. Marine is far more complicated. I have 3 books on the way to begin the research. But I was wondering if there is such thing as seminars and workshops where I can go to learn more? I like to read but I also enjoy visual learning. I live on the east coast.

Would it be beneficial to call up a local reef tank renter/installer/builder and see if they would mind showing me around and teaching me a little? Think they would be willing to do that?

 

[Germanman]

i offer the service at my work and wanted to start a class but it never happend. also you have to be careful who you learn form most people that work in aquarium stores arnt well educated in the hobby...at least form my experience...i like to test my competitors employees and they do bad on my "questions" also the guy servicing for my work before i did was an idiot all he knew how to do was follow the instructions on the bottels badly and take water in and out...he added predatory fish to our 500 gallon reef account...i almost killed him.

 

[clawlan]

haha wow. guess i better hit the books.

 

[fishcatch22]

haha wow. guess i better hit the books.

be careful about books too, one led me to beleive I could stick a kuda seahorse in my 5G. make sure to use reccomended books and see if what they're saying is correct here on this forum.

 

[Fishieness]

books probably are your best bet. i have seen semenares and lectures, but im not sure if i have seen to many ones about starting a tank. for the most part, i think most of the people who are interested in this hobby enough to pay to watch someone speak are those who have advanced past just setting up.
the Consciencious Marine Aquarist is a good book. also, jsut reading around on all different forums also helps. you obviously will come across osme miss or just bad information, but if you read enough you will be able to sort out the right form the wrong.
even on some boards you go to. if youa re there long enough you are able to tell who knows their stuff and who regurgitates other's posts, without even knowing the accuracy of the statement.
the best thing to do is read all you can
good luck:hi:

 

[clawlan]

be careful about books too, one led me to beleive I could stick a kuda seahorse in my 5G. make sure to use reccomended books and see if what they're saying is correct here on this forum.

oh definitely, i am purchasing only the highly reviewed books. i actually ahve another thread on that if you wanted to check it out.