We’ve all been there at one time or another: A major problem arises that’s causing livestock losses—and/or loss of sanity—and we need advice from local fish store staffers, the members of our favorite forum, website moderators, or just friendly local hobbyists on how to find a workable solution. However, when we’re desperate to resolve a problem, we sometimes pose questions in a manner that’s, well, a bit counterproductive.
在许多情况下，这个问题的措辞是这样的：“我的鱼/珊瑚不断地彼此死亡。似乎每天我都会再失去一两个。我没有看到任何疾病的迹象，我所有的水参数都是完美的。可能是什么问题呢？您能推荐一种可以阻止此的产品或药物吗？请帮助，因为我将厌恶地退出这种爱好！”
While this question conveys a great deal of passion, what it lacks is virtually every pertinent detail that could aid in finding a solution. In order to get the most accurate, insightful advice from fellow hobbyists when a problem rears its ugly head, it’s important to provide as much of the following information as you can:
症状或问题的完整描述
First, do your best to provide a thorough description of the problem you’re observing. If fish or inverts are sick or dying, list any symptoms you can see, not just overt physical symptoms such as spots or necrotic tissue, but also any behavioral changes (e.g.,藏着鱼，拒绝食物等。）您可能已经注意到。
If the issue is more along the lines of an algae outbreak or the appearance of pest anemones or other unwelcome hitchhikers in the tank, a good photo will help ID the culprit and yield the best possible advice on how to control it.
系统的年龄
Knowing whether your system is new or mature can shed a lot of light on your problem for other hobbyists. For instance, if “mysterious” livestock losses are occurring and the system was just recently set up, any experienced hobbyist will know that one of the first things that must be ruled out is the presence of ammonia due toincomplete cycling。
系统的大小
The size of your tank can be a contributing factor in all kinds of problems, such as fish compatibility issues, excessive dissolved pollutants, unstable water parameters,鱼跳, invertebrate stinging/chemical warfare concerns, etc.
Your livestock lineup
The potential interactions among the fish and invertebrates in any given aquarium are extremely varied and complex. You can’t always predict how different species will get along. But certain choices or combinations of species are just asking for trouble, and a knowledgeable hobbyist should be able to spot them.
All your water parameters
含糊不清的声称您的水参数“全部都在正确的范围”或“应在哪里”，因为这对不同的人可能意味着不同的事物。确保为您可以测试的每个参数提供实际测量 - 特定重力，温度，氨，亚硝酸盐，硝酸盐和ph至少，理想情况，包括磷酸盐，calcium， 和alkalinity。如果您无法测试/没有测试其中的某些参数，那可能是您问题的关键！
Your equipment lineup
Are you running aprotein skimmer? Is it adequate for your system? What does your lighting system consist of? How are you providingwater movementin the tank? Does your setup include a sump/refugium? The answers to these questions and any other particulars you can provide on the equipment you’re using will help shed light on the health of your system and its inhabitants.
Additives/supplements
What products, if any, do you add to your system’s water on a regular basis? If you have a reef system, what method are you using to supplement calcium and alkalinity?
您的喂养协议
什么，多少，多少，您多久喂养鱼类和无脊椎动物？他们实际上是在食用所提供的食物吗？
您的维护协议
知道您多久进行水的频率，Siphon消除碎屑，清洁蛋白质撇渣器，冲洗/更换过滤器介质以及执行其他常规维护任务也可能有助于识别问题的来源。
Any recent changes
Finally, be sure to mention whether you’ve made any changes to the system recently. These might include any livestock introductions, changes in feeding or maintenance protocols, the addition or upgrade of any equipment (including swapping out light bulbs/tubes), reworking the aquascape, or any other change that might have altered the dynamics of the system.
