Welcome Colin
I have a couple of small systems but still a relative novice... learn something new every time I check out this forum. I don't think there's a good answer to your question. I suspect the best answer is "both". I researched on various sites but most useful information was in this place. Was wanting to understand it all before I started. But I eventually read some good advice which was something like "don't overthink it". So I set up a system and have subsequently learned a lot more by trial and error and feedback from this forum than I did in my initial research.
I'm guessing you're likely to get more specific advice if you post a bit more detail about your proposed systems.
Enjoy aquaponics... hope you have lots of spare time
kidding of course. To answer your question; I personally have found that a lot of members will talk about what they have in mind, post up a design or two, and usually people will provide some kind of feedback, or ask questions to provoke thought. So like what has been said; both of your ways to use your forum are good.