Ideas For This Section

[dthoffsett]

I've just asked to oversee the Old World section and Tolak was kind enough to allow me. So you'll be seeing a lot more of me in here.

I'd like to make this section more fun and lively, when I first started on TFF there was a lot of discussion and of course picture sharing here, it seems to have faded a bit and I'd like to rectify that if possible.

So what I'd like from all of you that hang out here are some suggestions for things you'd like to see, such as more articles or just fun topics. Here are a couple of ideas I had.

1. A fish of the month, something similar to the saltwater sections fish of the week. If we have enough traffic here we can upgrade it to a fish of the week. I'd like to expand on the idea as well, if we don't already have a profile on that species we can have someone write one, and maybe we can have different fun topics related to whatever fish we choose.
[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=305414"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=305414[/URL]

2. I'd love to see some more journals from people who are setting up tanks, not only are they fun to read but help the next new person out. Breeding journals would be great too if any of you are actively breeding, that's something we sorely lack.

3. How about a picture sharing thread, we have sections for different species groups but they're not really for comments, so a topic or two just for sharing and comment on each others fish might be fun.

Just some of my ideas, I hope the rest of you would like to participate in adding your ideas and I'll see what we can implement.

Dawn

 

[kaztaz]

a pinned profile section would come in handy

 

[dthoffsett]

a pinned profile section would come in handy

Actually we do have a pinned one here as part of the Species Index forum. I don't think I can duplicate them to pin here though. I'd love to see some more people write profiles for the species we don't have yet.

Great suggestion, keep them coming.

 

[HappyGeorge]

I like the idea of the fish of the week. Although reading the Tank of the Month section people can get a bit serious about the whole thing, needs to be made clear that its for fun and have clearly set out rules i.e the proof of ownership thing. I know of a very easy way to identify if someones fish is their own or if the photo was recently taken or not and will pm you with the details if you decide to go ahead with it.

Also maybe a "Rock of the month". Have seen some of the out of focus stuff on the website and thought that this may suit those who aren't interested in photography and don't have the equipment/knowledge to take photos of moving fish?

How about a directory of experts, was just a thought I had following my recent question about algae and the number of people who responded with answers that they obviously didn't understand themselves. If there were a list of long standing members (who wish to partake) with their suitability to accurately answer questions on specifc topics as decided by their track record, they could then be PM'd. If the question is simple it keeps the message board free, if it requires discussion it can be posted by the 'expert'.

Can we run a campaign for everyone to put a location on their profile, would be useful in certain discussion topics like "Whats a good LFS", "Where do I buy ammonia" and "What DIY store sells x,y,z". Only needs a County/State and then UK or US.

In the run up to Christmas we could run a "What should I put on my Fishes Christmas list" highlighting gadgets and unusual tank additions that we think would be of interest to others, this should not hopefully turn into an argument about who makes the best filters/heaters, or who can buy things the cheapest.

 

[dthoffsett]

I like the idea of the fish of the week. Although reading the Tank of the Month section people can get a bit serious about the whole thing, needs to be made clear that its for fun and have clearly set out rules i.e the proof of ownership thing. I know of a very easy way to identify if someones fish is their own or if the photo was recently taken or not and will pm you with the details if you decide to go ahead with it.

I agree it would just be for fun, it seems to work well in the marine section so we'll have to see where it goes here. Because old worlds are so much slower I was thinking of started with fish of the month.

Also maybe a "Rock of the month". Have seen some of the out of focus stuff on the website and thought that this may suit those who aren't interested in photography and don't have the equipment/knowledge to take photos of moving fish?

Actually I was thinking of something along the lines of a decor topic.

How about a directory of experts, was just a thought I had following my recent question about algae and the number of people who responded with answers that they obviously didn't understand themselves. If there were a list of long standing members (who wish to partake) with their suitability to accurately answer questions on specifc topics as decided by their track record, they could then be PM'd. If the question is simple it keeps the message board free, if it requires discussion it can be posted by the 'expert'.

That's something we have been talking about in the mod section, we still haven't come to a conlusion yet.

Can we run a campaign for everyone to put a location on their profile, would be useful in certain discussion topics like "Whats a good LFS", "Where do I buy ammonia" and "What DIY store sells x,y,z". Only needs a County/State and then UK or US.

I would be nice if people added where they live in their profile, however, it's not a requirement so it's up to the poster to remember to add it if they want help.

In the run up to Christmas we could run a "What should I put on my Fishes Christmas list" highlighting gadgets and unusual tank additions that we think would be of interest to others, this should not hopefully turn into an argument about who makes the best filters/heaters, or who can buy things the cheapest.

That's an excellent idea. With the high filtration capacity needed for most cichlid tanks, good equipment is important.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll add them to my list and now everyone else needs to chime in.

 

[dthoffsett]

Anyone else have anything to contribute? To revive this section I need everyone's help.

 

[HappyGeorge]

How about sticking a post in the General Tropical Discussion trying to drag some more users in here.

If you look at some of the sigs, there are African/Old world keepers who put posts in there but whos names you don't see here?

 

[guidedbyechoes]

How about a sticky on kribs? They seem to come up almost as much as mbuna in this section.

 

[JohnRossDele]

How about a sticky on kribs? They seem to come up almost as much as mbuna in this section.

YEAH, a krib subforum! most of the ppl that look at this section either like kribs or own kribs so why not make one

EDIT!: maybe why not pin this i spent alot of time doing this and it just got lost in with the forgotten threads this could go in the new krib subforum and be pinned clickhere

 

[dthoffsett]

How about sticking a post in the General Tropical Discussion trying to drag some more users in here.

If you look at some of the sigs, there are African/Old world keepers who put posts in there but whos names you don't see here?

Good idea, I'll do that.

How about a sticky on kribs? They seem to come up almost as much as mbuna in this section.

How about a sticky on kribs? They seem to come up almost as much as mbuna in this section.

YEAH, a krib subforum! most of the ppl that look at this section either like kribs or own kribs so why not make one

EDIT!: maybe why not pin this i spent alot of time doing this and it just got lost in with the forgotten threads this could go in the new krib subforum and be pinned clickhere

A sticky on kribs would be helpful too; johnrossdele I'll take a look at your topic here pretty soon. As kribs are old world cichlids I don't think they warrant a subsection though. This section is slow enough to accomodate all the cichlids. Thank you for adding your suggestion.

 

[Davo86]

I think some kind of thread on how to id your african cichlid would be very useful, Nothing too complicated just enough to give people a rough idea/starting point to id their fish

 

[JohnRossDele]

How about sticking a post in the General Tropical Discussion trying to drag some more users in here.

If you look at some of the sigs, there are African/Old world keepers who put posts in there but whos names you don't see here?

Good idea, I'll do that.

How about a sticky on kribs? They seem to come up almost as much as mbuna in this section.

How about a sticky on kribs? They seem to come up almost as much as mbuna in this section.

YEAH, a krib subforum! most of the ppl that look at this section either like kribs or own kribs so why not make one

EDIT!: maybe why not pin this i spent alot of time doing this and it just got lost in with the forgotten threads this could go in the new krib subforum and be pinned clickhere

A sticky on kribs would be helpful too; johnrossdele I'll take a look at your topic here pretty soon. As kribs are old world cichlids I don't think they warrant a subsection though. This section is slow enough to accomodate all the cichlids. Thank you for adding your suggestion.

ok, as long as it gets pinned im a happy camper lol

 

[dthoffsett]

I think some kind of thread on how to id your african cichlid would be very useful, Nothing too complicated just enough to give people a rough idea/starting point to id their fish

Good idea, would you like to give it a go?


Sorry it took me so long to reply, I had family in town for a few days and it was kind of crazy.

 

[dthoffsett]

Yup I'm dragging this up again. I'll be putting up a few polls sometime this week to see if there is enough interest to warrant implementing some of the suggestions here.

I'd love to hear some more suggestions from everyone. This is your section, I'm just trying to keep it going.

 

[drobbyb]

I think some kind of thread on how to id your african cichlid would be very useful, Nothing too complicated just enough to give people a rough idea/starting point to id their fish

Agreed. This can be a little tricky especially when dealing with common names for the different color morphs.