I hear ya. I run into this a lot of my reef forums. Some people just like to make things more complicated than it needs to be.
I've only been keeping snakes for 2 years and only been a reef kepper for 4 years. I will always be a n00b in some people's eyes because I don't have 20 years in either hobby. I just know what works for me. My animals are happy and healthy and that's all that matters.