Everyone reaches a breaking point

[Piscez]

Cowards behinds Keys that's all they are

[Dash]

Frankly I was surprised and disappointed by the comments re the POTM photo. I suppose they were meant to be clever but do people not think about the person behind the photo submission? I mean, would you say something that rude to someone’s face? I love Canreef and hope it can take a bit of constructive criticism, but I do sometimes feel this community has its little cliques and could be more welcoming and benefit from a sense of humour. After all, shouldn’t these POTM be a fun way to see aspects of all our tanks, and not just the pristine SPS wonders of a very select few? This is not for the cover of National Geographic after all. Little wonder that POTM doesn’t have more traffic.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I would just say those are very insecure people who try and find some sort of self worth through their hobbies, in this case, an aquarium. To do this, they tend to need to put other people down in order to feel like they are something more than what they think they are.

Anyone who really cares about reef tanks would never make these types of comments. I would try not to take it personal because whatever your aquarium looks like does not reflect who you are in any way (good or bad). All that really matters is that your animals are healthy.

[Ken]

Hi from Campbell River BC, you are passionate about your hobby like I am, the same goes for the rest of us here, people who make rude comments like that don't know the real meaning of being passionate about this hobby. This hobby is not all that you see in real life like on the internet where there are absolute pristine tanks that looks like they were photoshop or just put together for a photo shoot, they don't represent the real world where algae & missed maintenance, where hobbyist have families & other commitment that keeps us all busy. We enjoy our aquarium for what it is & others don't need to judge us. I see many hobbyist give up on this hobby because they are trying to create what they see on the internet but what they should be doing is keeping it simple, easy to maintain and enjoy and not to be threaten by people with rude comments who don't appreciate it. My aquariums are part of me, I been in the hobby since the 80s, they are not all prestine, they all need work here and there, I'm okay will helpful suggestion but don't critize my aquarium, so I understand what you are talking about. This is real life! You got my vote on your photo, I thought that was real cool. regards ken

[acepumping]

who gives a s*** what others think.. that would just push me harder to prove them wrong... do what is your best, everybody learns from their mistakes... others should be entering if they cared that bad.. stay strong and enjoy the hobby.. this hobby is full of ups and downs..im sure we have all made mistakes in the hobby and thats how we learn.. if you got any questions, message me or pretty much anybody whos been around it for years..

to the guys who took valuable time to dedicate a message with bad comments, you guys IMO can beat it, we dont need that in the hobby..

better yet, lets see your tanks? i bet you not one of you will post a picture..

[Dearth]

Thank you all for the words and support.

I early on decided that I would go against conventional thinking and post pictures of my tank whether it be in full bloom or after a partial tank crash to show the other side of the hobby not everything is rosy and perfect. I wanted new people to the hobby to understand the realities of the hobby. I also knew I would take flak but I also have received support throughout the years as well because I am not afraid to show the other of the hobby that so many are scared of.

For whatever reason my POTM set off the critics and I was really surprised at how vicious some of the posts were across several platforms.

I will keep charging on though I just had a moment of weakness a few days ago.

Again thank you all.

[Ram3500]

Really? really? wow **** people. I have been here a few years don’t post much lack of time people like you keep the Fourm running I was dam happy to see a long time contributor win the FOTM. Good job reefing brother 👍