When I reply to a thread...

[RTR]

I prefer personal experience, research or historic info only if I have really dug ito it for validation. When I know I'm spouting something controversial I'm likely to pepper IMHO, IME, YMMV into the post, or cite the refs. But I'm most comfortable with the things I have done myself.

Once upon a time I was biologist, although technically a physiologist/biochemist, but I'm afraid now that it was long ago in a different galaxy.

 

[WolfPup522]

I read - alot. Most of the info I give is through research because I've only been fishkeeping for several months. Some suggestions are experienced based, but for obvious reasons, not many. When I do pass on research, I try to say "I read...." to clarify that I have no experience on the particular topic.

 

[Matak]

Like the others, mine is a a combination of the above. If I am at all doubtfull, or nor even sure, I will qualify it by saying 'as far as I remember' or 'I'm not 100% sure of this but' or 'would an expert on this topic please sound off about this'.

 

[Slappy*McFish]

I gaze into my crystal ball.

 

[Dangerdoll]

I usually start from personal experience and then If I feel a little vague about anything, I do a little research.... I find that sometimes all the reasearch in the world doesn't match up to personal experience in some cases and I'd more trust personal experience over anything else.

 

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by Slappy*McFish
I gaze into my crystal ball.

Hah!

Where did you find an aquarium shaped like that!?

 

[Pink Pat]

I use experience. Like Robert, I started in this hobby long, long ago. Back in the day there was no internet for the rapid exchange of information. I used seriously outdated library books by Herbert Axelrod to get enough information to start my initial foray into the hobby and it was 'touchy-feely' from there on out. A lot of what I know now is because of what I didn't know then.

Of course, like many of you, I've learned a tremendous amount of information by participating in boards like this one, but I usually won't comment on those things I do not have actual, hands on experience with.

You asked.

PP

 

[Matak]

One thing I think that we can all agree on is that a lot of the info we get from the LFS needs to be qualified. My LFS is run by a terrific pair of gals yet they still believe that amquel is the solution for everything.

 

[Dahlia]

Although I am constantly researching I usually don't post unless it comes from my own experience. Sometimes I'll post a website address or list a book title if I know a great one on a subject someone is asking about. If that is the case I mention that it is a website I found and not something I have firsthand experience with. Because I've found so many publications to be untrue, only true some of the time, or incomplete, I usually like to have seen it for myself before I give it as my personal advice/opinion/fact.

It all depends on the question... and I think I ask more than I answer!

 

[carpguy]

I'm a reader (my stacks still outweigh my humble tank by quite a bit, although I'm hoping to correct). I checked research before reading through the thread, knowing that it was a combo but liking to think I try to stay on solid ground. Even so, I've learned quite a bit out here by being corrected.

I research. I've researched most heavily in the areas I'm most interested in. Researchwise, I know more about the fish and the conditions and the circumtances I have experience with. Research and experience tend to correlate. These are also the areas where I've sought out the advices of a trusted third party.

My only trusted third parties are (some of) you folks . I don't know anyone else who keeps fish (I know a few others who own fish, they just don't tend to keep them ).