Does my LFS know what they are talking about??

[jla9508]

Ok, I have ordered 45lbs of live rock online and it is coming in tomorrow. I have a 55 gal FOWLR with one Blue Hippo. I called the LFS where I bought the fish last year and asked if I could trade it in now and get the other fish later when my tank re-cycles from the lr. They wanted a water sample first. Everything was fine except my salinity, so they said. My salinity was between 1.023 and 1.024. He said that this was way to high and should be 1.018 to 1.019 and their tanks are that salinty and it would shock the fish if they put it in there. Now i'm having to take about 3 gal out at a time and replacing with freshwater until my salinity is 1.019 so they will take my fish back. Should my salinity be that low? I've read other posts saying it should be 1.022 to 1.025.
Sorry it's so long.

 

[fishymissy]

THEY keep their tanks unnaturally low to help reduce the stress for the fish. When you think of the poor conditions in most LFS' then you can understand why they would do this. But why this would be a huge concern to them is ridiculous.....it is very easy to acclimate a fish to a lower salinity, much easier (and quicker) than going the other way. Rather than reducing your salinity in the main tank, have you thought of putting some tank water in a large bucket (or new garbage can, or any new clean container) reducing the salinity in that, then acclimating the tang to the bucket? Then just take him to the store......

 

[von_rahvin]

I agree with fishy missy. Just use the bucket. As for your tank. . . that is about perfect. I keep mine at 23 and 78 deg. Good idea by the way of trading the fish in. Here is another thought for you . . . DO you know any saltwater people in your area? I would trust some friends over an LFS any day of the week.

 

[jla9508]

Thats a good idea. I may do that.
When the guy told me that my salinity was supposed to be 1.018 I told him that I had talked to alot of people that said it should my 1.022 to 1.024 and he said "Well, I'm telling you that they are wrong and your salinity needs to be 1.018" Then I told him that I was planing on buying more fish from them but wasn't sure now. He was alot nicer to me after that. Wonder why??

 

[jla9508]

Von_Rahvin,
I only know one person in my area that has a salt tank. The have some money and pay some one to stock and clean their tank, so I couldn't put it there. Also, the people that clean their tank is the same people that own this LFS I'm talking about.

 

[jla9508]

Ok, If a fish going from a lower salinity to a higher salinity is an issue what should I do since the LFS has a lower salinity than I do?
I am planning on buying a few fish from them.

 

[saul t. waters]

I want to know it pet store Keepers/ workers have to go through some type of school or college or get some type of degree to sell fish to ppl... if not they NEED TO KNOW THEIR STUFF BEFORE GIVING ADVICE!!!!!!

 

[fishymissy]

The only thing you have to do when going from a lower salinity to a higher one is to do a normal acclimation. I'm sure you already know how to do this. To go the other way, from a higher to a lower salinity, you could get away with doing the process for not quite as long a time. You would still want to do some sort of acclimation in case of a ph shift, difference in nitrates, etc....
This is for people who might not know how to acclimate.......there are several ways of doing this, but the way I do it is to float the bag in the main tank. Open up the bag and then add about 1/2 cup of tank water every 10 to 15 minutes for about an hour. Then net the fish and release him in the tank. Dump the bag of water down the sink.
Many people use the drip method which is where you place the fish and it's water in a bucket then run a small airline tubing from the main tank into the bucket. By using a small clamp on the tubing, you can regulate the amount of water going into the bucket. A nice steady dripping will work well with this method. When the volume of water has at least doubled then you net the fish and dump the bucket of water down the sink. I don't use this only because if I leave a tube like that dripping, it will only be a matter of time before that tubing is aimed on the floor and not in the bucket!!! LOL!!!
BTW, most people do keep their salinity up in the normal range. I keep my tanks at 1.025.

 

[pancho]

as long as its not over 1.024 i really wouldn't worry about it (depends on fish also) i remember one time i forgot to put the salt back in a tank after a water change and the fish were fine for six weeks when i did the next change the level was 1.014 and i still have those fish

 

[jodilynn]

Probably not.

 

[irishstout]

My lfs has never even asked for a water sample before giving me credit on a fish. As far as a suggeted addition to your tank, I really dig my marine betta. Very Cool fish!!!