boosting forum activity

[blennieluvr]

I've been trying to think of things to boost club activity here. I decided to start a discussion about it in case someone else has an idea or there's something you wish we had going on here. I'm going to throw out some ideas mostly to get discussion started. I do not expect that these will all be put in place.

1) Take turns, maybe one a month, featuring our tanks....show pics, list equipment and live stock and discuss plans for future, areas of concern, etc. We could list everyone that's willing and draw names to assign months. Talk about what's going well for us as well as what's not...that's how we learn!

2) Find out what people want to learn more about and have "classes" or meetings with those topics. Personally, I'd like to learn to take and post better pics of my tank. I've brought this up numerous times and it doesn't go too far but, I still think it would make our meetings more worth the drive.

3) More intentional use of our galleries so we can see each other's tank progression.

4) Some kind of themed picture posting but I'm having a hard time figuring out what to do with this since our club is so small.

5) Each week, someone throws out a topic for discussion...pick a certain day of the week so it's more likely to happen. Maybe this would need to be monthly too? I suppose we may run out of topics for weekly discussions fairly quickly. We could alternate being responsible for this too?

[cdness]

I see activity increase greatly when there is a meeting going on somewhere. The closer to the meeting the more people are active, especially if people are swapping corals.

I would volumteer to start a thread on my tank. I have coral growth progression pictures from WAY back in the day I can show as well if people are interested.

I know it is getting to summer where people tend to get busier in their daily lives. Most are outside more than inside at a computer. I am still checking the forums daily but I don't have much to post at the moment...

[Swanwillow]

Hmmm, things I'd love to have discussions about...

taking pictures/doing camera stuff. I'm camera stupid, and proud of it!

filtration systems. Old, new, up and coming

hmmm

Algae in our tanks. Good, bad, and the ugly

CUC's. From a to z, pick a letter a week

Fish! same thing-alphabetical go overs of different fish. Seeing what others have hiding in their tanks too, with personal experiences

The difference between FOWLR and Reef tanks

...I'm sure I can think of other things too, if you give me time. Those are just things I'm looking at off the top of my head.


And heeey, I am keeping up my build rather well, heh

[tinkerman]

Cammie very good ideas. I wil agree with Curtis as everyone comes out of hiding around swaps/meetings. I would be willing to particapate.

[blennieluvr]

I know and I should have started before it was almost summer. But, the inspiration wasn't there then. It's here now so I ran with it.

Swanwillow - Thanks for the topic discussions. They sound good to me. We should start with filtration. I have a feeling that could spark some good conversation.

[blennieluvr]

Is anyone willing to feature their tank for discussion purposes? I thought I'd throw the names of those who are willing into a hat and draw for what month they get. So far, I have Curtis and myself (Jody is already basicly doing this).

I'm making a list of topics too. Please add one if you like. I'd like to start this soon.

So far, they are mostly Jody's suggestions:
picture taking
filtration
algae
CUC
Fish
FOWLR vs Reef
equipment

[Swanwillow]

well, of course I will... Although, my tank is still laughable ATM!

[cdness]

I have always been meaning to start a build thread, but it's like telling about how a car is built a few years after you started driving it...lol

[tinkerman]

I'd be willing to do the tank discussion also.

[mpedersen]

FWIW, if you guys want to grow your group as well, try Craigslist. You might find a person or two that way and it's free.

[blennieluvr]

FWIW, if you guys want to grow your group as well, try Craigslist. You might find a person or two that way and it's free.

Will do.

[blennieluvr]

Featured tank list:
Curtis
Cammie
Lyle

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