Are you ready???

[debbie]

Hello all, well sit back, restrain yourself and take a good look at what this tank all holds in it.
This is one of our LFS in my hometown, this person claims to be a "saltwater expert". They have 4 saltwater tanks in their home, 3 freshwater tanks, numerous dogs, cats, birds etc.
I just about died when I read what was all in just one of their tanks. Here we go.
90 gal Bow front
Emperor Angelfish
Majestic Angelfish
Blue Face Angelfish
Fox Face
Yellow Tang
Brown Tang
Blue Spot Tang
Panther Grouper
Red Tooth Niger
Ribbon Eel
Zebra Eel
Black Back Butterfly fish
Azure Damsels
Long Nose Hawkfish
Regal Tang
2 Perc Clownfish
Blue Linka Starfish
I am just exhausted typing this out. Any thoughts....

 

[mr_x]

they must have a big skimmer!

 

[debbie]

Is this not overstocked?? And insane to say the least??
Big skimmer I don't know what they have but I do know that they have had several tank crashes.

 

[mr_x]

of course they did. besides the simple fact that the fish will be stressed, the bio load is incredible. you'll need massive regular waterchanges and very powerful filtration just to keep it from crashing.

 

[debbie]

Now I know why I get these frequent phone calls about new stuff arriving at the store and if I was interested. Just trying to make a quick sale but not concerned as to what size of tank etc one might have just sell those fish.
Oh boy do I ever have a different outlook about this place. I am glad though for one thing, I have learned a few things about this hobby on my own and this site has been a huge help, have some knowledge from my 20+ years in the freshwater hobby to know better than to jump in and load a tank up.

 

[mr_x]

but think about owning a store...even working at one. if someone comes in and asks you to bag up the 6" lionfish you have in one of your tanks, are you going to grill them about their tank? i would probably say "sure, sir...i'll bag that right up for you".

 

[debbie]

Oh I do realize that is how they work. But I guess I have to much of a concious to so things like that. I just find it really sad for the fish and of course all the deaths of them too.
The oceans are getting so depleated from things like this and I would just like to make sure that if I wanted them I could provide them with the best size tank that I could. Sure is not the ocean and we love to have aquariums in our homes too.
I have always wanted a yellow tang, I know I will never be able to have one as my tank is only a 30 gal and will not upgrade, so all I can do is admire them elsewhere. But I do know that she would sell me one for this tank in a heartbeat.
So sad

 

[patrick8929]

i i completely agree. that is the way it works with pet stores. unless its a specialty store and they really care they will sell you what you want no questions asked. its stupid but they are just trying the make that money

 

[novahobbies]

Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2794982
but think about owning a store...even working at one. if someone comes in and asks you to bag up the 6" lionfish you have in one of your tanks, are you going to grill them about their tank? i would probably say "sure, sir...i'll bag that right up for you".
When I was finally ready to get my two H. reidi seahorses, I waited for my LFS to get in a few ORA raised. When I went to pick them up, the salesman did grill me: tank size, filtration, temp, age of the tank......he wasn't rude about it, but he definitely wanted to make sure the horses would be OK.
...course, they have a return policy, and he prolly just wanted to make sure they'd live past the first 24 hours.

 

[mr_x]

i've never been asked about my tank while purchasing any creature. as a matter of fact, one store tried to talk me into a really sharp looking blenny. it resembled an algae blenny, except it was very colorful, and had a serrated lip, instead of flat lips. i went home and researched this particular fish and found that it's main diet consists of sps polyps.

 

[emilaya101]

Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2795934
i've never been asked about my tank while purchasing any creature. as a matter of fact, one store tried to talk me into a really sharp looking blenny. it resembled an algae blenny, except it was very colorful, and had a serrated lip, instead of flat lips. i went home and researched this particular fish and found that it's main diet consists of sps polyps.
WOW.

 

[valeram]

Fortunately for me, my LFS always grill me on almost everything.

 

[big]

That is plain crazy to think someone would even do that! Wow China was never that overcrowded!! Time to find a LFS that the people know what they are doing. I think one of the more important things in this obsession is a GOOD LFS with a knowable staff..
I have visited lots of LFS's over time. Both of the LFS's I will deal with have really good and knowable fish-coral .people............. It pays to shop around for more than price in a LFS....... The real hobbyist with experience in a salesperson make a big difference. Not just someone trying to sell you something. Shopping for the right LFS is sometimes as, or more important than what you buy there........ my .02 worth .......Warren

 

[anonome]

Debbie, take this example and run with it......I bet none of these fish survive longer than 6 months at tops in this size of tank, and being this overloaded. Unfortunately, there are people out there that will stuff a tank full of fish, and then wonder why they are having problems. Or worse, show novice fish owners.....see what I have.
You know better, so I would not step foot in that store ever again. Especially if they are not open to better husbandry. If you voice your opinion on the amount of fish being kept in that tank, and they say that it works for them, without even listening to you about your concerns. Their loss, not yours. I certainly would not patronize this store.
Keeping saltwater fish is a responsibility. Most saltwater fish are not bred in 10g home tanks, they are taken from their home...the ocean, which is a very balanced ecosystem. They are plopped into our tank, and it is our responsibility to do everything possible to keep it alive.
Knowledge is a wonderful tool that we are given.

 

[debbie]

I totally agree with you on what you say. Of course I would not voice my opinion to this person but gosh it makes me mad, they have 4 salt tanks like this and unfortunatley 3 fresh tanks no better.
I just feel so bad as like you say many of the fish are taken from their home "the ocean" and plopped into our little tanks even 200 gal is little compared to the ocean and expected to live.
I don't really buy much at this store anymore since I no longer have my tank going. I just have my 1 gal pico and a crab I can buy anywhere, corals sometimes this place has better deals but I don't need anymore for this little tank. So no real need to go and buy there.