Nelson
CAThe Hotel California fishtank. I was on the site for a couple of years, and enjoyed it til the mods noticed me. They behave as if volunteer helpers aiding new aquarists are their paid employees. I've wondered if they feel like they have a massive business empire with large numbers of imaginary workers. It's no surprise members were asked to come here and give positive ratings. With the number of "membership culls" and banning parties they embark on, it's also no wonder they don't always get the reviews they expect. It looks great, til you really get to know the place...Unfortunate, as with more reasonable leadership, they would have more knowledgeable voices there.
Sel
CALiterally did absolutely nothing wrong… Literally did absolutely nothing wrong on the site and was banned. The only thing I was doing at the time was chatting on another fish forum chat. I never messaged anyone about the other forum. I was even actively posting in a topic I had made on FL that was getting activity when it happened. I made a point to follow every single rule and got banned with no warning regardless. Use the site at your own risk. It is unfortunate. My name was Sel on there and go ahead and look at my track record. I was behaving perfectly.
JK
GBFL Not What It Used To Be I've been a member on FL for several years. While I'm by no means an expert, I certainly know the basics of fish keeping. Over the past year, I've seen many more "incorrect" answers to people's questions. Lots of bad advice being given these days on FL. There were many folks there whom I considered reliable people to bounce questions off. They seem to have all left. I've seen posts that question the mods suddenly disappear, and things really seem to have gone downhill there. I still check in there from time to time, but there are far better sites these days to get fish keeping advice. If you're thinking of joining FL, I'd suggest you look elsewhere...
Davie
GBNo help or advise when you have a problem The forum doesn't have members to offer any help when there's a serious issue, some try to help but theyre usually new members, the so called experts may recommend what they suggest but if there's an issue with their method no one will help. Especially if a well known member is the responder. Do not be fooled into thinking a place like that is any help to you or your fish during problems.
Dr.fishkeeper
GBI found the forum overall wasn't a good forum I found the forum overall wasn't as large as i expected, a few members accounting for much of the activity. This wasn't an issue until I realized several we're pretty biased and not very well informed, some even borderline rude. It also seemed the staff harrassed certain members, just poor tact. I'm still a member but never use the site anymore, between YouTube channels, Facebook groups and other forums there are just simply better resources available.