Chat Scheduling - Calling all members!!

[Ziggy953]

Hello everyone!

Recently a thread was posted concerning regularly scheduled chats and I and the other Mods/Admins agree that this is an excellent idea. What I would like to do is first gauge the amount of interest we have for regularly scheduled chats and then post a poll with the suggested days of the week and times for chats. I would like suggestions for topics as well though I will probably set the first few just to get the ball rolling.

Even though I spend most of my time in SW discussion I want all members of the site to participate in this thread as well as the chats. I’ve spoken with some of our FW Mods and Admins and they have agreed to handle chats with a FW topic.

Here is what I would like you to think about and chime in on.

Day of the week? My personal preference is for Thursday-Saturday evenings. I work nights and will not be able to participate on any evenings other then Thursday-Saturday.

Time of the day? I think between 9:00pm and 11:00pm (eastern) would work for most.

Topics: Suggestions for discussion topics. I think the first chat will be more of an introduction of each of us and what drew us to the hobby. In the first chat we can discuss the suggestions generated for topics and from that I will set the schedule.

So, lets load this thread up with lots of responses and suggestions!

I look forward to seeing you all in chat soon!

Ziggy

[HN1]

I'd agree with your days and times although most days are do able for me during those hours. As far as topics...

SW- Coral propagation, fragging, lighting and flow requirements, "reef safe" fish and inverts, fish to avoid (i.e. Mandarins, Cleaner wrasses, Harlequin shrimp, Catalina Gobies, etc.), diseases and treatments, dosing, + 1000 others.

FW- Plant lighting requirements, plant safe fish, proper tank size for popular fish in the trade (i.e. Oscars, Clown loaches, etc.), breeding concerns and requirements, pH myths and truths, diseases and treatments, compatibility, invert selection, + 1000 others.

This sounds like a great idea and I'm looking forward to seeing it come together!

[thatmagicguy]

Works for me. Times are great. I would like to see a chat for newcomers to the hobby to get some sound advice from experienced aquarists. Geared specifically for newcomers. I would be happy to make myself available for that barring any employment schedule changes. Bill

[GhostKnife]

I would say that each specialist in their own field of aquaria should supply the nights they would like to be in the chat. For instance ziggy said he would like thurs through sat 9pm to 11pm. He is a known reefer and that would be his topic of discussion. The next admin/mod might be a freshwater planted or fish only specialist and want to schedule chats on another night. I would say all topics are good in that one night ziggy may post and say tonight I am talking about LPS and SPS(for instance) the next night could be about inverts and filter feeders or something like that. Have a topic for the week or night. The next week could be bottom dwellers and sand sifters. Keep it broad so there is enough to talk about and learn yet keep it narrowed down to a certain extent. There could be a person then dedicated to the newcomers and their specialty would be helping anyone with their questions to hopefully enhance their aquarium in any sort of fashion. I mentioned most saltwater because I was using ziggy as a sort of guideline however the same applies for any of the chat room leaders: Fresh, Brackish, Saltwater fish only, and Salt water reefs.
If set up right the mods and admins might be able to alternate nights of the week to keep a chat a every night of the week on each category of aquaria. Just some ideas.

[divedeep1689]

i would be good on thursdays but the rest of days i am away from home topics i am good with wat ever you pick because no one can ever know everything on any topic and if ya know alot on it or think ya know it you can share your wisdom with others. alos i wonder if its possible for extra chatrooms to be made their could be one for both freshwater and saltwater to fix any confuison in chats

[RWaltman]

Thursday night would be cool...around 7ish or maybe later than that (eastern time)

[JustOneMore20]

Sounds great! I like your times Ziggy and any day would work for me. I would like to have some planted tank discussion nights (or night) for sure. People could ask questions, share their latest planted tank happenings or talk about plans for future tanks maybe.

[severum mama]

I'll be available at the times that were mentioned. Not sure what my "specialty" would be but I'll help out in any way possible.

[Innovator]

I'm good Friday or Saturday.

[Ziggy953]

These are some great responses!! Please keep them coming!