Meet Ideas and Topics

[Juiceworld]

Hey all,

Well I have been brainstorming topics for our meets, so we do more then have a few beers together. Not that there is anything wrong with that, Ha Ha. But I thought to myself, " Self, maybe our members have a few ideas or problems that they may want to address at our meetings, so why don't I ask!" I ask this as I know the problems and the thing that I'm not so sure about with regards to my tank, but I'm sure the next guy has a totally different set of problems or things he/she may want to know about.

So all in all throw out some topics, problems or workshops that you would like to talk about. No topic is to basic or silly I might add, as not all of us our experts in this field, we all started somewhere.

[mark0933]

Just a few ideas we at MACL have done - fragging demos for softies (go buy a nice leather and cut into pieces for all and mount), a SPS fragging demo, even a lps (frogspawn) - sure most know how to frag, but use a variety of attachment methods for a truly educational demo.

We have also had Brian from Reefcrew (think that was his name) out for a meeting to pedal his wares

Lastly, since we rotaate around to different houses, if the host has issues, or unusual set-up that can be a focus of the meeting.

Hope this helps a bit.

Mark

[fishfood]

Just a few ideas we at MACL have done - fragging demos for softies (go buy a nice leather and cut into pieces for all and mount), a SPS fragging demo, even a lps (frogspawn) - sure most know how to frag, but use a variety of attachment methods for a truly educational demo.

We have also had Brian from Reefcrew (think that was his name) out for a meeting to pedal his wares

Lastly, since we rotaate around to different houses, if the host has issues, or unusual set-up that can be a focus of the meeting.

Hope this helps a bit.

Mark

Every little bit helps, thank you.

We have talked about fragging in person, and having that as a topic, and in turn having Burc (Fragalot) come to demo, etc.

[Ken_Baird]

As for a topic I agree I would think looking at what problems are currently the biggest struggle for the hosting tank, in general attending members can brain storm on the problem and see if the group can't come up with a solution. I think this would open some new and old ways of doing things. The Host would identify what problem or question he has before the meet, and then the group members could throw out some input. No one know's it all but everyone knows something.

This could be as simple as the other members bring over different test equipment so we all can see how it works and to check if the host's test equipment is OK.

[Juiceworld]

Actually that is a great idea about the tests. I have an aquarium pharma. test kit but I'm not so sure it all that accurate. I also dont think the phosphate kit I have works at all. If someone could test my water it would be greatly appreciated.

I had a really bad cyno problem just before christmas, but I moved my tank on boxing day did a compleat water change, added a phos ban reactor but the cyno was slowly starting up again, very slowly, just a few bit here and there. Soooo, I just bought a new bulb to see if maybe that's what was need to stop the stuff. Any other suggestions at the meet would be great.

[Ken_Baird]

For phosphate the only two I trust are are MERC then Elos
the others I have used will show 0 when these will show 0.1 ~ 0.2

http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/t-dpo4/MERC+Phosphate+Test+Kit.html
and
http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/el-tpo4/Elos+Aqua+Test+Phosphate+Test+Kit.html

[Concept]

As for a topic I agree I would think looking at what problems are currently the biggest struggle for the hosting tank, in general attending members can brain storm on the problem and see if the group can't come up with a solution. I think this would open some new and old ways of doing things. The Host would identify what problem or question he has before the meet, and then the group members could throw out some input. No one know's it all but everyone knows something.

This could be as simple as the other members bring over different test equipment so we all can see how it works and to check if the host's test equipment is OK.

Great idea for an evenings entertainment and education.

[mark0933]

The only thing I would caution is that some tank owners don't like discussing their "problem" in a large group setting, and some visitors at times don't know when to shut up. I hosted a meeting of MACL very early on, and was quite proud of my tank, flaws and all, and had a few comments by one guy basically saying that my tank set-up was crap (so not constructive criticism) which I could have done without...

Mark

[Juiceworld]

I think that that is a problem that can't really be avoided. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen. I would think that most people would be respectful enough, as not all of us have thousands of dollars to spend on this hobby/habbit, to get all of the best of the best stuff.

[Ken_Baird]

The only thing I would caution is that some tank owners don't like discussing their "problem" in a large group setting, and some visitors at times don't know when to shut up. I hosted a meeting of MACL very early on, and was quite proud of my tank, flaws and all, and had a few comments by one guy basically saying that my tank set-up was crap (so not constructive criticism) which I could have done without...

Mark

I had the same thinking as I wrote the post.
But "WE" would hope that all members that come to meetings in any club, should respect the fact that constructive criticism would be appreciated, and bashing would not. The goal in my mind for any club setting is to help each other obtain more knowledge and success, not be disrespectful. Sorry to hear that your guest did not understand this.


I think that that is a problem that can't really be avoided. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen. I would think that most people would be respectful enough, as not all of us have thousands of dollars to spend on this hobby/habbit, to get all of the best of the best stuff.

To me the challenge is to have success with out spending thousands of dollars, granted you do have to spend money for the correct equipment for success, but by purchasing the best equipment doesn't automatically equate to success.

My 2 cent's

Ken

[Ken_Baird]

First I would like to say it was a good meet and greet! :hurray:

It is always good to put faces to the names. With my line of work I talk to people from around the world. across Canada, US, Europe, and Asia and there is definably a difference in respect dealing with someone even if you only have meet for 1 hr.

Well I have talked to Paul from Oceans Motions about being a guest speaker at one of our meeting’s and he would be happy to come to a meeting and explain how and why you use dynamic flow patterns in your tank. :pompom::woohoo::pompom:(hope I got that right LOL)

Just let him know what day to show up. If you don’t know who Paul is (AKA Concept) just check this out. I think he knows how to move :woohoo: water.

http://www.oceansmotions.com/store/video/tsunami.wmv

[Juiceworld]

Thats great. I will get in contact with him and set something up.

If anyone else has any Ideas or topics they would like discuss or learn about at a meeting, you can post them in here or PM me directly. I know we have some fairly new ppl to the hobby as well as some veterans, so I would like to mix up our topics a little. I figure it wont be much help to someone new to the hobby if we are always covering the more advanced topics and technics of doing things.

[GIJOE]

All I can say is that I think this club has the potential to be great. I agree that we need to do more then just have a few sodas while together and some of the topics brought up in this thread would be a definate benefit to see and do.

I know from the meet that several people expressed interest in the DIY calcium reactor I have built and it was discussed between a few different groups in short. If you the club would like, I could build another one and have it ready at some point (my schedule is very tight these days) so that members can see how it was constructed, how it works, why and also some pros and cons???

This is the first CR I've used on any of my systems and now that I see the differences, I would never go back to manual dosing of calcium. I'm no expert when it comes to building these types of equipment by any means, but over the years in the hobby I have done tons of research, used trial and error and have experimented with several different types/models. I have a lot of extra acrylic and plastics around and am always willing to try and save a few buck and/or improve current manufactured models.

I also have a recirculating skimmer and a 2 stage, single chamber phosbane and carbon reactor in the works (after I get them off the shlef and blow the dust off them lol). Let me know the interest, and we could set up some kind of DIY acrylic/equipment work shop if thiers enouph interest.