We've been thinking of how to improve ASW. With such a wide international audience, we thought it might be worthy to encompass the diverse interests that you may have and expand topic areas. Here's what I'm thinking. Specialty Forum Section - Saltwater Marine Aquascaping - Biotopes/Paladariums - Emersed Aquariums - Aquatic Photography (moved) They will be catch all for those topics, but if we really see a lot of specific marine/topic related questions like equipment, DIY, etc appearing in our regular forum area then I can create subforums for them within their particular sections. Thinking out loud here and would love your community input. -John N.
John Yes. Expand Aquascaping into Marine, and particular Freshwater Scaping topics. Yes/No. Expand Freshwater topics, but not Marine/Saltwater. I am an Advisor on Fishforum.com.au (Free plug) Marine is not a big issue but several members do have marine tanks. As far as aquascaping its a mine field it comes right down to what you intend to keep in the tank by that I mean Corals to fish. I personally add a section for marine to include every thing then after a period of time look at it again to see if it requires to be broken up into different topics. Expanding FW topics not many places to go considering its a speciality Aquascaping forum that is well respected. In saying that nothing wrong in asking for suggestions. Keith
As per above. I think we should be open minded enough to encompass marine aquascaping but not just the live rock with coral attached style. Those who want to do something different and aquascape in a way that us freshwater guys understand. George Farmer did it, Lisette is doing it, Tom Barr does it. There is room for that but on the general side of things I agree that there are thousands of info outlets already readily available on the net. We just want aquascaping whether it be fresh, brackish or salty or any other
Thank you all for your input. I will leave this poll open for the remainder of this week and will go from there. Please continue to provide your thoughts and thank you for helping make ASW better! -John N.
My only problem is when people start posting on these special topics and putting up pictures, how-to's, etc; is that I will want one!
Giving nicely scaped and maintened marine tanks a gallery is a good idea. However ASW is so deeply planted focusing -which is good of course-, but would be confusing at the end with different kind of information. If someone is interested about a specific planted scape can find massive information on many topics. But what if a marine needs advice, general help, or wants to learn more about those aquariums? Will you open up so many different thread to support it? Some guys will possibly mix up the infos if the marine and planted area is not separated well. A nice marine gallery would be awesome, but there are also nice opportunities to expand planted area even more. Paludariums, emers scaping, wabi kusa. The last ASW contest / gallery posting idea was a great thing for example. I plan to enter with my latest tank
I really like AWS the way it is now with a focus being aquascaping primarily and planted aquascapes. I enjoy this forum for that reason it is not a huge catch all forum that I think at times TPT has evolved into. This forum still has a more community feel also and I would hate it too loose that if we opened it up to too many off shoots. One area though I would like to maybe see expanded since it seems the natural progression with our hobby is an expanded and more detailed Invert/ Shrimp Area. I know a lot of us are on different stages of this newer off shoot that compliments our planted aquarium hobby so well. Besides expanding the invert information I think it's just great. If it ain't broke dont fix it.
I suppose I can say something substantive on the topic. I think WabikusH20Fall makes a great point. One thing that has kept me away from other planted tank forums like TPT is its sheer mass and volume, which in itself makes it not as friendly as ASW. The sense of community here is a major draw and if too many topics or a marine section is added it could dilute what most of us here are doing. I also like the idea of shrimp and inverts expansion. Although I like the idea of adding some saltyness to the forum, I don't know if it would be absolutely beneficial to the site or the members. There are lots of places to go for that info. Perhaps another site, John...for saltwater aquascaping, a sister site. Because I'm sure you don't have enough to do with your time. Maybe a whole new home page so in a sense the salt focused people "live" there and the freshwater people "live" here. Moving back and forth would feel like a new place so to avoid the confusion Viktor brought up. A "SALT" link on the Freshwater page and "FRESH" link on the salt page. Just some thoughts...
hmm.. On the fence with this. ASW has grown and continues to grow. The community, and posting is fairly active, whether with the usual individuals (addicts! ) or with the occasional and new users, I feel that, as current, ASW stands great, and continues to go to greatness. I dont know how many users actually do a lot of biotopes or saltwater, etc. Emersed I have been seeing quite a bit, so that could be a possibility. Now, saltwater etc, are all really amazing, and I actually do feel that they would be a great addition. However, would it not mean your current theme, layout, or advertisement pretty much, overall visual appeal, must not only target now aquascaping but everything else ? Actually, I take that back, because aquscaping, is really any piece of work with some water so saltwater etc, could work fine. Though if you were to expand, I do see the possibility of traffic being slow for a while. As obviously, its soo new that it will take a while to get some class participation. If its not TOOO much work, then why not try it? if its not really pleasing either you or the community, maybe take it down? OH ! and I agree with shadowMac, shrimp and inverts would be pretty cool. To conclude, I think any action will remain positive for ASW, regardless if it stays, or expands. Only downside is I am broke as it is. It only makes me want to buy more!
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