Socalireefs lack of participation/activity

EyeReef

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#1
It's no secret the forum has slowed down in activity lately and just wanted to see what everyone's thoughts are.
What can we do to increase the activity on this forum. Features that you would like to be integrated, rules that you would like to be changed or removed.
Do you guys see Forums no longer the primary social network for reefing?
Something new, I would like to integrate is to hire a few moderators. This will be a paid job and you will be compensated in terms of production.
Please pm if you are interested.

I am all ears!
 

djrice69

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#2
Bring drama lol
 

djrice69

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#3
As for the site I'd increase the image file size for upload. Better image uploading features. Increase pm box size sending and receiving takes up space fast.

For the members: Be active don't be a snob and just share your experiences add a picture with what you do. Do a tank tour meet or groupbuy with one of the lfs. Maybe have a monthly meet at a members house and auctions some corals off.

Run an aquascape contest if you win you get upgrade membership or frags.

Trade corals rather then sell it's more fun bc it will turn into a Craigslist overrun by everyone trying to make a buck or two.
 
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#4
As for the site I'd increase the image file size for upload. Better image uploading features. Increase pm box size sending and receiving takes up space fast.

For the members: Be active don't be a snob and just share your experiences add a picture with what you do. Do a tank tour meet or groupbuy with one of the lfs. Maybe have a monthly meet at a members house and auctions some corals off.

Run an aquascape contest if you win you get upgrade membership or frags.

Trade corals rather then sell it's more fun bc it will turn into a Craigslist overrun by everyone trying to make a buck or two.
+ 1,000,000!!! I totally agree. Plus maybe some monthly sponsored giveaways.
 
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#5
I agree on the inbox thing, I found myself full in the inbox and conversion ended up in texts because I didnt feel like deleting messages on my phone.
Aqua scapes competition would be fun. When I first joined there was a ton of competitions. Actually got me more into reefing.


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dontavo27

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#6
I agree with making picture uploading easier. Also the slowness might also be due to the time of the year? People seem to go on vacation or really busy at work.
 

ivan

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#7
The downloading picture for sure was a motive for me not to even try to start a new thread in here!!
 
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#8
I find it interesting how many don't know about this site. Or RC either. But since I've been "banned for life" for complete nonsense, there's no reason to tell them about SCR on RC so I tell them about SoCaliReefs to learn more about the hobby.
I'm able to look at it, and to tell you the truth. There is more meaningful content on here than there. It's more a Craigslist site than we are. Still don't know why some would rather be on a "sub" site to another site when they could be on a truly local site. Silly if you ask me. The only advantage there is it's nationwide and you can get a wider view of peoples experiences. But I find enough info on here that I need or want. I mostly use Youtube to get reviews or others firsthand experiences of products, techniques and ideas.
The only improvement I can think of is posting pictures. Some reason mine always comeout sideways. And members. Maybe see if flyers could be placed in LFS'. I think it would boost community and even the stores business once these people see and start to commune with others about pruducts, fish, corals, and other hobby stuff.
 
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#9
I understand that this forum feels that Friday meets are the bees knees and ihop is appropriate enough, but a large, active board of supervises that market monthly meetups at hobby related locations have been known to benefit the group as a whole.

I've brought this up on multiple occasions and been shot down, abd that's fine, but until people try it, it will result in threads like this one until there are no more threads.
 

EyeReef

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#10
Thanks for all the inputs so far. Will definitely get to work on these great ideas. Please keep them coming


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BeanMachine

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#11
I understand that this forum feels that Friday meets are the bees knees and ihop is appropriate enough, but a large, active board of supervises that market monthly meetups at hobby related locations have been known to benefit the group as a whole.

I've brought this up on multiple occasions and been shot down, abd that's fine, but until people try it, it will result in threads like this one until there are no more threads.
SCMAS and this forum are two entirely separate things. It takes a lot of time and work to organize those types of events you speak of. Not many people are willing to put in what it takes to be successful. So are you saying that by increasing the off forum activities, meetups, etc. that it will directly result in more people coming to socalireefs? Or just simply by word of mouth between fellow hobbyists at said events? I'm just trying to understand you are getting at?
 

BeanMachine

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#12
I find it interesting how many don't know about this site. Or RC either. But since I've been "banned for life" for complete nonsense, there's no reason to tell them about SCR on RC so I tell them about SoCaliReefs to learn more about the hobby.
I'm able to look at it, and to tell you the truth. There is more meaningful content on here than there. It's more a Craigslist site than we are. Still don't know why some would rather be on a "sub" site to another site when they could be on a truly local site. Silly if you ask me. The only advantage there is it's nationwide and you can get a wider view of peoples experiences. But I find enough info on here that I need or want. I mostly use Youtube to get reviews or others firsthand experiences of products, techniques and ideas.
The only improvement I can think of is posting pictures. Some reason mine always comeout sideways. And members. Maybe see if flyers could be placed in LFS'. I think it would boost community and even the stores business once these people see and start to commune with others about pruducts, fish, corals, and other hobby stuff.
The problem with flyers and such is many LFS still operate under the false stigma that the forums, and other reef related events where buying and selling can occur, hurt their bottom line. I'm sure the local sponsors would support you, but trying to get other stores to advertise in their shop is hard to do.
 

BeanMachine

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#13
I agree, the photo sharing is aweful I moved to tapatalk to post photos, but I'm sure there are lots of people that don't want to use another device to upload. It just adds another step.

More giveaways may bring some activity, like monthly for instance.

But I think paying the mods is going in the right direction. Others may not agree with me, but its got to start with a core group posting topics, giveaways, etc. weekly, even daily, to keep interest up. When the forum is slow, people that know about the site and still are into reefing, would tend to not check in as much as they used to. We've probably all been there at some point.
 
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#14
I agree, the photo sharing is aweful I moved to tapatalk to post photos, but I'm sure there are lots of people that don't want to use another device to upload. It just adds another step.

More giveaways may bring some activity, like monthly for instance.

But I think paying the mods is going in the right direction. Others may not agree with me, but its got to start with a core group posting topics, giveaways, etc. weekly, even daily, to keep interest up. When the forum is slow, people that know about the site and still are into reefing, would tend to not check in as much as they used to. We've probably all been there at some point.
Funny. I was just getting ready to mention you.
Just for fun I looked at the other site to see what I said was true. Nothing like checking facts AFTER making a statement. Anyway. Four pages in and you, BEAN are the only post dealing with something other than FS or WTB. As another site would say, A FW one, meaningful post.

Sometimes I don't participate in some threads due to not knowing anything about the high tech methods. I'm a simpleton with just a skimmer and refugium. Don't really have a fullblown reef tank currently. But even when I did, I was lowtech. I think some, a lot, do a disservice to the hobby when they tell newcomers they need expensive equipment in order to be involved or successful in this hobby which is blatantly wrong. Many many awesome tanks out there with just HOBs or cannister filters going with no controllers or auto dosing or other really not neccesary equipment to maintain a nice tank till confidence and ability to grow comes.
 

djrice69

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#15
Think of it this way people rather be on Facebook they get unlimited messaging and are able to post pictures right away especially in those FB pages. The only down side to fb is it's not really searchable for topics and gets buried with other topics. Forums are used for topic searching and Google would be able to find relevant keywords to help look for content. Without the forums there wouldn't be much googling.
 

All Delight

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#16
Think of it this way people rather be on Facebook they get unlimited messaging and are able to post pictures right away especially in those FB pages. The only down side to fb is it's not really searchable for topics and gets buried with other topics. Forums are used for topic searching and Google would be able to find relevant keywords to help look for content. Without the forums there wouldn't be much googling.
Yes the instant messaging on fb is great. From a vendors perspective, sales are instant, and people actually buy.
 
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#17
SCMAS and this forum are two entirely separate things. It takes a lot of time and work to organize those types of events you speak of. Not many people are willing to put in what it takes to be successful. So are you saying that by increasing the off forum activities, meetups, etc. that it will directly result in more people coming to socalireefs? Or just simply by word of mouth between fellow hobbyists at said events? I'm just trying to understand you are getting at?
While they are two separate entities, they can both benefit eachother by direct integration.

By incorporating a responsible board of members who would establish a meetup with auctions that would bring a portion of proceeds to the board would limit the number of FS threads and increase revenue and participation as a whole.

In the past, it has worked at other local groups' forums.
 

BeanMachine

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#18
Funny. I was just getting ready to mention you.
Just for fun I looked at the other site to see what I said was true. Nothing like checking facts AFTER making a statement. Anyway. Four pages in and you, BEAN are the only post dealing with something other than FS or WTB. As another site would say, A FW one, meaningful post.

Sometimes I don't participate in some threads due to not knowing anything about the high tech methods. I'm a simpleton with just a skimmer and refugium. Don't really have a fullblown reef tank currently. But even when I did, I was lowtech. I think some, a lot, do a disservice to the hobby when they tell newcomers they need expensive equipment in order to be involved or successful in this hobby which is blatantly wrong. Many many awesome tanks out there with just HOBs or cannister filters going with no controllers or auto dosing or other really not neccesary equipment to maintain a nice tank till confidence and ability to grow comes.
I definitely agree with you. Many ways to have a successful reef. There is a lot more to offer on RC if you look outside the local SoCal forum. Not always the right info of course but also a lot more info. Mainly due to being a national forum of course. Simply a lot more traffic. I enjoy socalireefs because we are all somewhat local to each other and I enjoy learning from local guys and seeing their tanks and what not.


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reefes pieces

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#19
I think there are some great ideas being offered up. I feel that there should be some steering in topics and conversations by mods or designated members to spark chatter and debate. Also hate to say it but I think people will appreciate more recognition for milestones with awards for certain achievements. Whatever you decide to try, give it some time to achieve results.
 

BeanMachine

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#20
While they are two separate entities, they can both benefit eachother by direct integration.

By incorporating a responsible board of members who would establish a meetup with auctions that would bring a portion of proceeds to the board would limit the number of FS threads and increase revenue and participation as a whole.

In the past, it has worked at other local groups' forums.
To be honest, I'm not seeing how SCMAS would benefit from this. We have a strong member base already, with board members (not paid), and do encourage trading and selling at our monthly meetings. We also put on Reef-A-Palooza each year.

A monthly frag swap / auction would get old in my opinion. Also, people like to sell coral at their leisure, on their own time. One of the benefits of the forums, aside from the sharing of information. I think having monthly get togethers for the purpose of trading and selling corals beyond traditional club meetings would get old for many.


By all means, set something up. I'd be one to attend most definitely. It would be a lot of work to arrange what your proposing.
 

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