Starting a MAAST Library section. Need your input!!

[loans_n_fishes]

Ok, MAASTARDS, time for throwing your two cents in!!

I really think this club could use a library section, but I NEED your help to do it!!

If you want to write an article, post a link, or just write a line or two about your successful experiences, PLEASE send them to me! It is probably best to PM them to me so we don't clog this thread.

In this thread, post the TOPICS you would like to see covered only. The ones I have so far:

Choosing tankmates
Diseases and treatments
Algae (control and encouragement)
Tank set up
Cycling
Fish Food recipes
Additive recipes
Rock making
Aquascaping
Fragging (attachment and instructions on cutting)
Building plans (tanks, in wall tanks, sumps, stands, canopies, etc)
Lighting (types and what best to use for particular situations ie: clams, softies, sps, etc, setting up your own lighting and plug and play systems)
Filtering styles
Refugiums
Corals that do/don't get along
Plumbing
Equipment recommendations (let's just recommend--no derogatory information about any products)
Substrate types and reasons
Propagation (both coral and fish)

Many of these could be subcategories of others...what else would you like to see?

If this is to happen, I NEED input. I know lack of involvement has been a problem in the past regarding this topic. Let's make it happen this time! 8)

[loans_n_fishes]

Also...please add your real name at the bottom of your pm with your article/information, so I can give you credit.

[erikharrison]

I would like to say that anything we recommend as a whole should have some sort of vote, especially for equipment.

[loans_n_fishes]

Yeah, as I think about it, the equipment recommendations may open a can of worms.

The other information will probably not need votes, but we will see. I plan to include more than one way to skin a cat in all of the sections--that is--everyone's ideas will be posted (if more than one person says the same thing, the information will either be combined or one article will be chosen over the other.)

I think the editing/choosing can be done without a vote. Information will not be added directly to the library from members. Members will send the information to me, and I will get it into a format to put in the library. None of the topics in the library will be open threads--only information that will be updated as needed.

[erikharrison]

I'll help with anything editorial. I know the influx of responses will probably be large ;) Let me know what I can do!

[loans_n_fishes]

I'll help with anything editorial. I know the influx of responses will probably be large ;) Let me know what I can do!

I am really hoping the responses will be more than I can handle. :P Thanks for the offer. I'll probably use your services.

Angela

[hobogato]

angela, i will do an artical on fragging since i just did that talk at the last meeting.

[Texreefer]

what about links to good articles on those topics

[loans_n_fishes]

Yes, links are great! Send 'em over. Again, pm them to me, though. ;)

[erikharrison]

I had found a really good article on setting up a sw tank from scratch, like a list of things in order of importance. I'll find it and post it here because I REALLY want to drive you nuts! :P JJ ILL PM YOU!

[Ram_Puppy]

Reef Central has been doing 'frag of the month' type stuff lately where they show you how to frag a different coral ever month... that would probably be good stuff.

[erick]

Maybe articles submitted could be "peer reviewed", as in most scientific journals. The peers that would review them could be those that sit on the board, or maybe have people submit to be peer reviewers and MAAST members vote on those that they feel are capable. This way, articles have been reviewed for content and clarity, which would give more credibility to such articles. Since we do advocate education,I dont think it would be a bad idea, and could possibly lead to a bigger and better future for MAAST (like maybe someone would sponsor a MAAST magazine or newsletter??)... I do like the idea, and will offer any help that I can...

[matt]

There are so many great articles on reef chemistry by Randy Holmes-Farley that just cataloging and linking to those articles would be a great help. Maybe a 1-2 sentence synopsis of the content of each article, plus a link, in an order that is most helpful to new reefkeepers.

[SACoastie]

This is such a GREAT idea.I was hoping something like this would come about. I have a request to this library though. Could there be a section added for identification purposes, i.e. different pics of common algae, fish, corals, ect. So that if a creature is found in someone's tank and they need to know what it is, they could I.D. it and find out if it is good or bad. Awesome idea! :D

[loans_n_fishes]

Articles will definitely be proof read and looked over for clarity. What I would really like to see is stuff from members that they have found to be successful--not just "theoretically it sounds good, but I haven't tried it".

For right now, I want to keep it as simple as possible. If it turns out that we need to vote on each article and advice, we can go that route. However, I really don't think it will need all of that formality. Besides, if it gets that complex, it may not be worth the possible bickering among members and loss of hair. :wacko :P

Let's start with the easier, more straightforward stuff like: Ways to cycle a tank, Food recipes, supergluing corals, disease and algae identification, etc. Most of the topics I listed are hard to give bad advice on. Things that could be more controversial (like disease treatment) will definitely have a disclaimer that it is an individual opinion--has worked for particular member--not necessarily the same effect for everyone or every critter...

Let's follow the KISS rule for now. I just want some hobbiest to hobbiest advice. Maybe if I label it something like "Reefers' Reference" instead of "Library", it wouldn't come off as formal.

I'm not really talking about posting only scholarly articles--or something that must absolutely be proven. It is reallly more of an attempt to post information on the questions that are asked all the time...and given advice on all the time (Ich, cycling, algae, etc). This would just make that information more accessible so members wouldn't have to ask the same questions over and over. They would be able to just read advice that has been suggested to others time and time again. For example: there are many ways to attack ich--people can send me what has worked for them, and I'll put it under "treatment".

As we all know, what works for one person may not work for another and vice versa. I just want to get as many ideas out there as possible, so people can see there are many approaches to just about everything in this hobby.

I will definitely let you all know if I need any help with getting things together. Thanks for the offers! 8)

Keep pming me info!! I need more involvement!

[erikharrison]

I just posted a seperate thread with a poll, so far it's ten/yes, zero/no. Maybe we should do this for all articles?

[loans_n_fishes]

This is such a GREAT idea.I was hoping something like this would come about. I have a request to this library though. Could there be a section added for identification purposes, i.e. different pics of common algae, fish, corals, ect. So that if a creature is found in someone's tank and they need to know what it is, they could I.D. it and find out if it is good or bad. Awesome idea! :D

ABSOLUTELY! This is one section that I think would be great! :)

If anyone has some good pictures of fish, algae, etc and a short description of what it is, what it does, who it gets along with, etc....or a link to this info....send it on over!

[loans_n_fishes]

I definitely want some more formal, scientific article links as well. I just don't want to necessarily vote on all of the links, advice, etc. Hoping to get this up as fast as we can and still get great info included.

Really want things that members have PERSONALLY found helpful/ successful. Any links or ideas (scientific and otherwise) are more than welcome. ;)

[SACoastie]

It is reallly more of an attempt to post information on the questions that are asked all the time...and given advice on all the time (Ich, cycling, algae, etc). This would just make that information more accessible so members wouldn't have to ask the same questions over and over. They would be able to just read advice that has been suggested to others time and time again.

Absolutly! Exactly what I was hoping for. :D

[Darth-Tater]

Why not have a how to section or DIY. Maybe take pictures of Ace fraging or building a sump. Make it into a pdf file and the post it. We could show diy moon lights, rock etc. I would scan and make the pdf files. I don't write worth a darn that's why I teach Science and not English. Oh yes I can't spell either :w00t

David

[loans_n_fishes]

Definitely!

[loans_n_fishes]

Ok, here is some info I have so far....

Aggressive behavior: http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/fishcompatibility/a/aa090197.htm

Ways to cycle a tank: http://www.seahorse.org/library/articles/cycling.shtml

Testing water quality: http://www.seahorse.org/library/articles/testing.shtml

Seahorse information: http://www.seahorse.org/

Basic Setup: http://www.nvreefers.org/community/articles/new_to_salt.php#loop

I would like to use the information on the algae that was written up from the last meeting once it is put into pdf form.

Ace says he can write an article on fragging (I may also ask for one on building with acrylic)

I will ask Mike (caferacer) to get us something on plumbing. Hopefully we can get pictures at the meeting. (any volunteer photographers?)

I have some fish and coral food recipes in a word doc. (lots)

I know there was a thread a while back about making your own additives… I’ll look for it. If you know the link, send it over.

I will ask various people who have built their own tanks to send me the basics and pics to post (any particular ones you like?)

Tank mates: I was thinking of dividing this into several categories:

1. Community Fish (Reef Safe)
2. Community Fish (Possibly/Partially Reef Safe)
3. Community Fish (NOT Reef Safe)
4. Aggressive Fish (Reef Safe)
5. Aggressive Fish (Possibly/Partially Reef Safe)
6. Aggressive Fish (NOT Reef Safe)
7. The “Little Black Dress” Fish (They go with everything--Aggressive Tank, Community Tank, Reef Tank)

http://www.petsolutions.com/Yellow+Clown+Goby-I-124400L-I-C-16204-C-.aspx
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?pcatid=15&ref=g3&subref=ao&source=goto&k eyword=saltwater+fish&ctt=57

I would also like a couple of notes on the type of environment these fish need (tank size, sand size/depth, amount of live rock, abundance of copepods, amount of feedings, etc)

I know we can’t cover ALL the fish, but I would like it to include the most popular ones.

Lighting Choices: http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/lighting/a/aa031300.htm

Filters and Filtration Systems: http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/filtersfiltrationsetup/Filters_Filtration_Systems_Information.htm

Brief Information on Substrate Types: http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_marine_depot_educational_newsletter_artic les_great_substrate_debate.asp

Saltwater Disease ID and Treatment: http://www.save1004.com/articles/diseases.htm,
http://www.seasky.org/aquarium/aquarium_diseases.html, http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/compldiagnodisease/a/aa042801.htm

Pest ID: http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/general.cfm?general_pagesid=362

These are not meant to be the only posts in those library sections, but it gives a good starting place (I think).

Tell me what you think, and what info is good/bad.

[Ram_Puppy]

so how about resurecting the idea of doing a wikki, but this time, not just let education folks have a stab at it, but the entire charter membership can be editors.