Quote Originally Posted by rabernet View Post
Missi, thank you for your post, but I DO want to point out something. Any member is welcome to respectfully disagree with any member of staff just as they are with any other member of this community.

To say that we NEVER give dangerous advice would depend on your point of view. I happen to feed live, as do many of our staff members. I know it to be safe if done correctly, but someone else may not believe this, and may believe this to be dangerous advice. Does that make sense?

Also, just because we are staff doesn't mean that we aren't also human and aren't also learning along with the rest of you.

Yes, staff and bp.net veterans may have more hands on experience than a brand new member (although we also have brand new members with loads of experience as well), but I don't think any one of us would say that we are experts, as hopefully we're all open to learning new things.

However - there are general guidelines that are considered "basic" care for new users, and those we tend to stick pretty hard and fast to (and when someone is asking basic husbandry questions, then we're not going to recommend that they run out and get a huge 55 gallon tank for their baby when they haven't even mastered getting a smaller enclosure to be stable yet), but as a keeper gains more hands on experience, they are encouraged to open their minds and try new things as long as they don't put their animals at risk.

I know I'm rambling, but I hope that makes sense.

I appreciate you adding to my comment and pointing out other important information on my post. I guess it is a matter of opinion. I was under the impression that staff give out tested and safe advice, unless stated otherwise. But there is nothing in the site info that says staff will NEVER give out potentially dangerous advice, so I accept that criticism.

For bp.net veterans, I did say some of them fall into this category, but not all. It is true that anyone can have a respectful disagreement with any member, staff or not but I was trying to point out just to be careful about it, not saying that you cannot disagree. I just find if you think and observe before you jump in and speak, discussions go a lot smoother than jumping the gun especially on an admin or moderator without thinking it through. But then again this should apply to anyone a member speaks with.

Once again I do always appreciate when something I have said can be better clarified.
Thanks Robin