[Steve Hampton]

Tom, I'm just thankful to have you as my major resource provider and the information I gain from the newsletters is worth many times the amount I pay per year...in fact I never hesitated to renew my subscription this year because I see it as such a great value. People complain when they are either ill informed, jealous, or just plain dense. Frankly I don't take advantage of the forums here much due to the heavy load of other forum obligations I have but I think your providing of the forums and making yourself so available is remarkable. Considering your stature and place in the hobby you are certainly unique. I can't name another renown expert that makes themselves as approachable as you do. I've always considered your attitude and unselflessness to be equal to your prodigious knowedgebase...that my friend is saying a lot. Any success I have with my planted tanks is largely due to your sharing of knowledge and any help I am able to provide to others is a reflection of the way you give so freely.

Thanks for the help and thank you for making such a great resource as the newsletter so affordable. Ignore the goons.

[reiverix]

I've never been to Barr's Tavern Tom, but did sometimes go to the Sheeps Heid (13th century). I come from the Borders area not too far from Edinburgh. Been in the States for 6 years now.

Anyways, I guess my problem is when other forums start throwing grenades at individuals. Makes it more like a media circus.

[handimn1]

Your site is just fine for me Tom, keep up the good work!

[Jay]

Steve Hampton wrote...

Tom, I'm just thankful to have you as my major resource provider and the information I gain from the newsletters is worth many times the amount I pay per year...in fact I never hesitated to renew my subscription this year because I see it as such a great value. People complain when they are either ill informed, jealous, or just plain dense

He really sums up my feelings also. In fact I renewed a month early so a not to miss any articles or newsletters. Took a bit for Greg and I to get it straight.

Jay

[Tom Barr]

The support for this is based much more on the Magazine approach.
Not a discussion forum.

I think that's the disconnect.
Do folks expect a magazine to to be free?

There are no monthly plant magazines I am aware of. Most are quarterly, few offer refereneces or any in depth detail.

I am planning on writing more for some magazines such as TFH and Aqua planta/Reef Art, more general stuff. Topics that get repeated often on boards rather thann BarrReport level discussions.

The goal is to reach a larger group of folks that are interested and it is advertising for the BarrReport as well indirectly. The kind I prefer, advertising based on good in depth information rather than pretty eye candy.
Nothing wrong with both eye candy and good info, then you have a good combo.

I think one thing I want to write coming up is coming to terms with the various methods used and why each works and the evaluation of the trades based on the hobbyists goal/s.

This is important as it addresses many newbies frustrations when getting infomation about how to grow plants.

The worst issue is the the gap between non CO2/carbon enrichment and CO2 gas use. Advice really is divided when someone ask for advice.

No one has addressed why algae does not grow in each method, those that have speculated have had a poor understanding about algae.
The observations also do not match their hypothesis well, if at all.
Nearly every single writer/author expert has had some statement claiming excess PO4, NO3, Fe causes algae. Yet my observations and those of others clearly show this cannot be true.

I look at the observations first, then try to build a model.
If I go back and test the hypothesis, it must match the observations.
If not, toss out the model and build a new one that better explains and matched the observations. See if it's predictable.

Understanding to causative mechansims for algae can teach us much more about aquatic plants and where to look when dealing with a horticultural strategy.

Many read some conclusion and assume that this conclusion must be correct.
Then they run around looking for support for this conclusion in the research, or worse, on the boards.

I've seen many folks assume since there are some folks having trouble and even if a few are not, that there must be something to PO4, of Fe. That is backwards thinking. How can two folks have the same conditions with PO4 and one not have algae while the other does? It must be something other than high PO4 or Fe. Something else is confounding their observation.
Poor test kits compound this issue even further. But EI is useful for knowing you defintiely have PO4 because you justed added some! You know how much regardless of the test kit reading.
That allows you to rule out the test kit issue or the deficiency issue.

If they have algae, great! I know how to induce many species of algae and that will tell me most everything I need to know to analyze where they went wrong and to stop blaming the innocent PO4 or Fe.

Algae are great bioindicators of health.

It also provides much more wiggle room in a routine without having to deal with algae and provides more delivery options for fertilizers and maintenance.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[dschmeh]

I dont mind paying I subscribed and feel the the info is worth the cost. yes i can find info for free but by subscribing i feel im getting personal support from a plant expert (tom) if needed, It seems tom answers most post personally and if i get in a jam i can always ask tom this to me is worth the minimal cost . I belong to other forums and it sometimes seems people who dont know what they are talking about are trying to reply to you and are sometimes misleading. This is NOT the case here.

[Tom Barr]

I think most folks mean well that give advice, seldom have I ever seen otherwise.

Getting to understand the complexity sometimes is tough. And when I was getting started and had a limited knowledge and experience base, I too had similar questions and made a few mistakes, but I generally did not make many of the same ones and was always pretty careful about advice.

I've put my foot in my mouth a few times, but you admit you are human and move on. When folks wound up, then it's an ego base thing. Intetrmediate folks often get into this vein.

They know enough to argue, but not enough to put it together.
Be patient with them, they will mellow and learn soon enough in due time.

Main thing here is to get folks to that level sooner and easier.
It's good to learn through experience, as long as it's not your own.

By helping all of you learn and get a very in depth background to these questions and various methods, you all will have a much better background and ability to help others and support the knowledge.

This eventually will lead to a stronger understanding and consensus among plant horticulture methods/advice and provide very high success rates for the future newbies.

I think everyone that is passionate about plants has this goal.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[dazzer1975]

When you consider the costs involved in purchasing our tanks, equipment, lifesock and plants, then spending $12 to gain some trustworthy advice and benefit from the knowledge and experience of others then essentially the subscription fee pays for itself.

It will pay for itself if the advice you receive prevents you from making one unneccessary or unsuitable purchase, or from making a mistake which could cost the life's of your plants thus preventing the need to purchase replacements etc.


It is also a nice touch and illustrates the attitude of the site and it's owner when he takes the time to answer so many questions we have.

Thanks Tom for creating a place like this and devising new methods and exploring the knowledge boundaries of our hobby and then for sharing this knowledge with us!

[Professor Myers]

I spend more than this on coffee in a week. Why should I mind paying for strong "Rational" data ? I liken the investment to the red or blue pill in The Matrix. Most journeys start with a conscious decision. The investment is trivial. Starting the journey is Crucial !

Hardly anyone ever aspires to mediocrity. Unfortunately that's often the casualty of apathy. The poke and prod method of research is novel. Even enlightening at times, but it gets real messy when dealing with living organisms. Expensive Too !

Folks seldom commit to Free Advice, They're more likely to argue with you...Don't get me started ! :gw Prof M

[robin adair]

I see the Barrreport as damm good value and has incrementally improved plant growth skills and fostered good debate among the like minded here.
Keep it up Tom, you are good for the hobby and helping lots of people and I don't mind paying. Thanks.