LFS tanks

[alaredsox]

Went into the lfs yesterday to do a little homework since I am about to start over from scratch after many many years and much to my dismay their tanks were stocked with no no's (or at least what I thought were no nos). One tank contained 3 puffers 2 triggers and an eel. One had about 7 juvinile yellow tangs with a few lawnmower blennies. None of the tanks were more than 20g and none of them had any ls, it was all cc. I asked a few questions that I already knew the answers to regarding the fish and the guy basically changed all of his answers several times before telling me that everything that happens in these tanks is normal and there isnt any reason that I couldnt do the same thing. Needless to say I'm not buying any of my fish from this guy. The only tank that looked somewhat ok was the one with a small snowflake eel and several damsels. They even had a tank with a black volitan and a clown trigger in it. The lionfish was MUCH smaller than the trigger. Not to be dramatic, but they should really be ashamed of themselves. They had apstasia in almost every tank! The guy wanted to sell me a chunk of lr for $150 that was covered in apstasia! And of course only the hardware in the store comes with any kind of guarantee. At least I didnt see a shark or ray in any of the tanks. To top it all off one of the associates was helping another couple who were getting a couple of cichlids and promptly dropped 2 of them on the floor (the aquarium she was getting them from was probably 8 ft up). I went back after looking at the hardware and one of the two fish she dropped was belly-up in the tank. WTF!
The only thing I'll buy from them is some of my equipment. They have a pretty good stock of high-end hardware including some really impressive MH rigs.
Sorry for the rant but I wanted to share a lfs horror story.
BTW- does anyone reccomend the acclimitizing systems (drip)? I have seen them in the stores and they're pretty cheap but have never heard of anyone using one.

 

[boalgf]

There is no real need for an acclimation system. I just use a line of chord with a knot tied in it. Tie the knot so just enough water is coming out to slowly drip 3 or so drops a second.
I still firmly believe I have the worst LFS to ever burden the hobby. I bought some eels recently from them (I'd never buy a fish from them, but it's hard to screw up eels) and the guy took almost 45 mins getting them out. He exposed them to air for a solid minute, and manhandled them like they were toys. I guess me telling him what a moron he was the whole time and saying, "%$#- just let me do it" didn't help any. But I'm only human.

 

[alaredsox]

The idiot was probably afraid of the eel. He should have let you take care of it. Did your eel make it through the ordeal? Once apon a time we had a lfs here in town that was actually run by a marine biologist, but since his store was so small he got muscled out by the bigger chains. Damn shame. He actually cared about the systems and it wasnt uncommon for him to deny a sale to someone if he suspected they didnt know what they were doing. Damn good LR from him too.

 

[boalgf]

Yea, he was afraid big time. But then, so was I. I was so amazed to find not only one spotted eel there, but 2. These are some mean SOB eels. Great at feeding time though. They are doing great. I don't think a person could kill these monster eels if they wanted to.
An LFS run by a marine biologist is a pipe dream that my city will never realize. I'd be happy with one run by someone with a high school education at this point.

 

[quads4_lif]

if you know somebody that is a nurse get an IV drip line works great it even has a suction cup that stays in the tank, and you can adjust the drip to however fast you want it easier than a not in air tubeing my .02

 

[hottie79]

THANK YOU Quads4, I have been looking for an easier way to do it. DOH! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

 

[quads4_lif]

Your welcome they are really easy to use, the part with the suction cup, you squeeze it and it starts your syphon with out a mouthful of salt water.