FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Would anyone like to help?

We need to bring this website back to its former glory, back when Fishprofiles was ALWAYS #1 on Aquarank, when new memebers were springing up by the minute, and when there weren't annoying text cut-offs on profiles.

We must do whatever we can to help this website and prove that were better than those other insignificant, impoverished fishkeeping forums out there

It has come up previously but for some reason Adam does not believe we can do personal advertising (eg advertising at our LFS)
Of all the LFS I have been in over the years only one person in one LFS has even heard of Fish Profiles.

Just vote every time you log on and remind others to do the same.

May be some of the Mods could have a good look at the other sites and see why they are attracting so many members and why they are voting.

There seems to always be newcomers but they never stay around may be this could be looked into.

I know when I first started I was helped by several of the older (in time here) members this as a big help and I can honestly say if it had not been for them I might not be here today.

Another thing that helped CHAT was big in those days and it made me feel like I belonged not just a visitor.

I personally think Adam and the Mods are doing a fantastic job here on FP

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

i have to wonder about the aquarank voting actually. according to my observations over the last few weeks, no more than 10 people a day have been voting for this site. maybe that really is the case, but somehow i have a hard time believing that. aquarank has a long history of sites rigging the voting to put themselves at the top, although supposedly these things have been corrected over time.

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"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

IMO this site was most popular before aquarank voting started.

I admit I'm not here alot as I used to be. But over time I've learned alot from people and only jump on to help when I can or if I find something new to share.

But alot of people who I met and have left since all had the same complaints. That the site had gotten to clicky, and alot of times peoples posts would go unanswered because they wasn't "in" with any group.

My only problem, which I gave up on and don't care about now. Was depending on who you were on the site, was how many rules you had to follow.

Ok, on to try to help. One big problem which may be downing the new comers, could be that moneys tight alot all over. I know, I may have to giveup one of my tanks soon. And I'm always seening tanks for sale online and in papers near me

But there does need to be more kind of advertising some how, both offline and online. I only found this site by accident while searching for something else

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction

After lookin over some of the site (and no i didnt sign up with any). But part of the problem maybe that the higher ranked sites give away free, what here is a premium service. I understand why its more here, which is why I like it here, more personal and less corporate

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction

Whatever the case may be with aquabid, this place still needs a lot of help from us.

And Monkeyboy, I couldn't understand why anyone would want to leave for that reason. Why would a person choose getting a little avatar over the extensive knowledge other forums lack?

I know that before I become a member on this site, I just used the profiles, and im sure plenty of others do the same. I mean, how many other websites have the same vast amount of info on so many different species of fish like we do? Not many. Thats why one of our main concerns should be the profiles, as newcomers arent going to think much of this site if they see that our profiles are grammatically incorrect or have cut-offs.

Also, I'd love to make a new theme for this site, but i dont quite know how. I'd really appreciate it if someone could give me some pointers.

Why would a person choose getting a little avatar over the extensive knowledge other forums lack?

because to some people, participating in forums is about post count and playing, not actually learning something from the experience.

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"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

I gree with moondog highly about the post counts. Thats why I don't usually post on topics, unless I can provide some kind of usable input.

zachf92 its not just the avatar, its the ability to put images right in posts (which here is an upgrade) and such.

But these days, with all the options available online. People do strange things

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction

I actually quit coming because of a bunch of issues that arose sometime ago...I'll check in now and again, but with money tight i can't afford to give it away. And when i paid for my subscription 2-3 months before it would run out and found out i wouldn't be able to get online and no i couldn't get a refund, and i was on the verge of being banned and was being talked about negatively among others, I figured I had enough issues in my own life I didn't need the social hiarchy here. I would come here to help others as much as I could. I would come here to relax and see how others I knew were doing that might be half a world away or even a few hours by plane....i was told that is not what this site was for. I was told chat was only to help others not to chat with others you knew...so i've taken myself elsewhere. if it weren't for a friend i keep in touch with by phone, im, etc i wouldn't have come in today....but you want to know why we are leaving...that is it...ashame b/c lately i have plenty of free time, and would love to help...*shrugs* oh well...uh formally Houston...but guess i'll stay that way

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

I, personally left for a number of reasons. For one thing, I no longer have internet at home (and yes, it's killing me! ) Also, I'm not keeping as many fish as I was before.

Same as Houston, right after I purchased my premie, there were several incidents that frustrated me. As monkey said, things were becoming too cliquey. It felt like some people could do things while other people could do the exact same things and get reamed out for it. I got tired of not being in the "in" crowd and pulled a disappearing act for a while. Then I lost internet, moved a zillion times and generally didn't care enough to come back.

I've only been online once a week or so and not for long enough to get involved in any long discussions, so I haven't spoken up much.

It's too bad... I used to love being here, love a lot of the people and used to spend a lot of time here. I still use the profiles or search the forums if I need information, but I rarely sign in or join in discussion anymore. Unfortunate, but true.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

I took a break partly because I didn't have anything new going on and after reading a thread that made it clear that these boards are not as kid-friendly as the boards claim to be.

I'll do graffiti,
If you sing to me in French.

One big problem which may be downing the new comers, could be that moneys tight a lot all over. I know, I may have to give up one of my tanks soon.

I think there is definitely something in that. It isn't so much tht the old hands are throwing in the towel over money, but there aren't as many starting up.

Also, as time goes on, the older guys tend to specialise and move on to specialist forums, or even just completely burn out on fishkeeping and need a break. Not only are we lacking in newbies, but we are slowly shedding the oldies too.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Interesting post !

Bottom line for me is I've almost always gotten the help I needed here, or a friendly word of encouragement.

FP school treated me well, gave me a solid foundation, encouraged whatever I wanted to try as long as it wasn't risking the fish. Kicked me in the duff when it was needed. I wouldn't have gotten into plant tanks or networking with local aquarists to buy/sell/trade stuff, would have spent ALOT more on setups, fish, plants, meds to treat sick fish, and my fish wouldn't live as long as they do.

Between that and the tank log/calendar (I haven't seen those in a free site) A premium suscription here is well worth it.

Yes, money is tight for folks lately who are mostly trying to fill their gas tank. It's also summer which I think is a slow period & people go out more, start their vacations or summer breaks, do more with family and friends outside which explains why sometimes posts go unanswered.

Re the politics, cliques etc, popularity, possible banning, rumors and talk of this and that... This site is about FISHKEEPING, yet has always had room for friendly banter as well. If you're worrying about the stuff above, or it's affecting you then perhaps you're not focused much on fish. Share your concern with a Mod so it can be addressed. They are all approachable and quite friendly.

With the fish spawning, my lights upgraded, different plants, learning the live food thing. I'm a student all over again. It's interesting though and I continue to learn good things here

There are a number of fine fish forums out there, and alot of us belong to a few or several. Good and bad in each and is personal perception. To each their own. Perhaps some do not want to invest in a site but want everything for free always. This is the only one where I pay a fee (happily) and keep returning to.

I'd personally like to see more member articles on live food culturing, fish nutrition, diy tricks, and get an automatic e-mail when I receive a pm

Now quit whining and do your water change ! ROFL.
Cheers

The Amazon Nut...

I didn't know there were any "cliques" on this site, nor that there were any significant squabbles between people. I don't do internet drama, though, I'm permanently "out of the loop" when it comes to this kind of stuff. Does all of this take place in the chatroom?

I haven't been around as much for the past year or so because I've been very busy with school, work, snakes, etc., and I haven't spent as much time with fish-related stuff at my house. Now that I'm back home and (currently) don't have job, I've been spending a lot more time with my fish tanks and as a result a lot more time on this site.

I don't plan on ever leaving for good, even though sometimes I log on only infrequently... I've been visiting this site since it was ETF (about eight years ago) and have been a member of the forums for nearly five and a half years, and during that time I've learned more than I ever could have from any one book, magazine, person, or what have you.

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

If you're worrying about the stuff above, or it's affecting you then perhaps you're not focused much on fish.

Despite the fact that this forum is about keeping fish, there is still a social aspect. If someone is being treated unfairly here and it bothers them, saying that they should focus more on fishkeeping is akin to putting some (not all) of the onus on the victim and not all on the bully.

ETA: This is a general sentiment. I just particularly dislike the "sticks and stones" idea about real life and online bullying.

I'll do graffiti,
If you sing to me in French.

"I took a break partly .... and after reading a thread
that made it clear that these boards are not as
kid-friendly as the boards claim to be."

I don't know what thread you are speaking about, but I
can guarantee that when it was brought to the Moderators
attention, or one of us noticed it - It was shut down
immediately. This is a "kid friendly" site.

As far as cliques are concerned, I suspect that the comment
refers to folks who frequent the chat room. Some have more
time than others, and others are only available at some
times. The chat room is designed for us to meet with
each other in "real time". It is for us to grow together
as acquaintances and perhaps become long distance friends.
It is for asking questions, getting "live" information, and
just plain growth. The only things that we ask are not
discussed are Religion and Politics. Too many times that
can become a candle to a fuse that can blow up with
arguments and flaring tempers.

Many times when I'm on in the mornings before "work" (ugh)
it is with the same folks, likewise in the late night
before I hit the sack, it is with another group. To the
new member, it could seem like a clique, but I guarantee
that everyone of us stops, says "Hi" and welcomes them
into the group. Sometimes I just monitor Chat, and I
have seen 90% of our members welcome new folks and help
them feel at home. With the other 10%, if it gets out
of hand, I do not hesitate to enter Chat and either Kick
or Boot them out of the room.
I've heard, from time to time, of disagreements, and
backbiting and of words between members. I really hate
to hear of members leaving due to that, as with every
member leaving, we loose much more than we gain. Every
member that leaves tells others who tell others. So far,
I've not witnessed the bad blood. If I did I would
take steps to resolve the problem. We don't need that
kind of behavior on this site.

Adam has chosen the moderators carefully. I dare say that
everyone of us is knowledgeable about the hobby, or
specializes in a part of the hobby, and everyone of us
is eager to meet members, new or old, and assist and/or
learn from our members.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Mostly, I don't come here as often as I should because it is a bit too general and beginner oriented (except the planted tank board, which always seems quite nice) does not cater to my more detailed interests as an aquarist. Also, a select few of the higher ups are grossly misinformed, in my opinion.

That's my excuse.