Bob Martin
GBKid site Kid site 90% are children asking very childish questions. Most ask about issues that can’t be remedied like buying inadequate fish for their tanks, or not knowing the nitrogen cycle, or just doing no so smart things. Then not being able to buy even the basics to keep fish healthy because they’re children. Parents irresponsibly bought them a setup they because people think fish are ‘easy’ and ‘inexpensive’ - a ‘great first pet for a kid’ and now their kids are briefly interested. Not a lot here for even a somewhat knowledgeable aquarist. Posters eventually grow out of it very quickly because well they’re children. They give out poor advice as you can imagine as well. There are a couple posters who know a bit but don’t post much - if you really want to be knowledgeable in the hobby this isn’t the forum to be.
joe
GBWebsite does NOT want new members After solving 20+ recapthas i was still unable to recieve an email confirmation. I have never had a worse experience trying to join a website to ask a simple question I tried multiple emails on my phone and a laptop. Massive amount of recaptchas every step of the way, hidden register button that is nearly impossible to click, refusal to send confirmation email, unable to contact website admin or moderators (contact email; unable to send) This site clearly doesnt want new members, dont waste your time.
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.
SJ
DKBanned and Ignored Great place until you do something that the mods don't like. I was honestly enjoying my time on the site, and there was some good advice being shared. Also it is pretty active. But when I made a post about offering to help content creators with what I am good at (a way of giving back to the community) I was banned. No warning, not reason, not communication! I can't read their message explaining why I was banned (i assume this is what it is about) because i am banned. Also I get no response on any emails that I sent (NOT EVEN THEIR PRIVACY POLICY EMAIL!). My conclusion is, that it is a fine community that don't know how to run a community and basically are breaking the law (at least for users here in EU). I was looking for an alternative to Reddit, but it turned out to be even worse than Reddit!
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...