Newbie and have some questions

[treblehook]

Hi...I have had fish all my life....marine, fresh and 5,000 gallon koi pond. I just got back into salt after 20 years and set up a 75 gallon fish only tank. I went to the LFS that I trust and unfortunately I am not happy with the advice and how I started to set up my tank. I have a sump running as well as a 400 penguin and a 2217 eheim canistear. The LFS suggested i cycle with a clown trigger, tomato clown, panther grouper, sergeant major and Niger. He claims cycling with these bad boys would give me a strong cycle and I could return whatever i did not want to keep after the cycle and he would split the profits with me. Sounded fishy to me and i did not want to spend over $300.00 in fish to cycle. I left with the 3" clown trigger 4" tomato clown and 4 damsels. To say the least he was not thrilled and said i would not have a strong cycle. Ammonia is up and fish are showing signs of it. I know after reading I should have went the dead shrimp routed. Too late for that now. Any thoughts on how you folks think this will pan out? Thanks

 

[julie853]

Diifently dosn't sound right.I would probaly try and stick it out with the fish you got good chance you will loose some of them.When I first cycled I did the same thing with Damsel and lost all of them.It's not fair to the poor damsels and for now on if I need to cycle again I'll do it with LS and LR.
The only advice I could give you is not to put any more fish in the tank until your cycling is done no matter what your LFS is telling you.Just my opion.

 

[memphis]

:scared: :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared:
I would take the fish back ASAP. See if you can get any of your money back and never walk in the door again...

 

[gmidd]

Originally Posted by TrebleHook
The LFS suggested i cycle with a clown trigger, tomato clown, panther grouper, sergeant major and Niger. He claims cycling with these bad boys would give me a strong cycle
Wow! I'm new to this hobby and even I know this is farse. If he is not the manager/owner I definately would report him.

 

[treblehook]

yes i should have known better...i made a big mistake. Should have read up on here first. I hoipe the Trigger snd tomato make it they were rather pricey

 

[mandarin w]

Check to see if there is a local saltwater club in your area, See if someone that has a tank set up and going, or even a QT. See if someone local would take the fish and hold them for you until you are ready for them. But one way or another get them out. Do a google search, Just use the name of the big cities in your area. and put saltwater club. like (St. Louis saltwater club) That should bring up the name and infor on a club in your area.
Oh, one more thing. This Live Fish Store owner, has shown you that he has absolutely no respect for the life of the fish, or you. I would never go into that store again.

 

[taznut]

from what i have read it burns their gills really bad... you should take them back and go the shirmp route anyway... i used damsels before i read on here... one of them died but only because the other one picked on him and tore off all his fins...

 

[treblehook]

Originally Posted by mandarin w
Check to see if there is a local saltwater club in your area, See if someone that has a tank set up and going, or even a QT. See if someone local would take the fish and hold them for you until you are ready for them. But one way or another get them out. Do a google search, Just use the name of the big cities in your area. and put saltwater club. like (St. Louis saltwater club) That should bring up the name and infor on a club in your area.
Oh, one more thing. This Live Fish Store owner, has shown you that he has absolutely no respect for the life of the fish, or you. I would never go into that store again.
He claimed the Trigger is hardy and the cycle will not phase him. I should have been more careful. He claims all his customers cycle with Triggers and groupers. Flag should have went up when he claimed he will resell them and give me half price.

 

[mandarin w]

this is the first time I have ever heard of anyone suggesting cycleing with a trigger. I've heard damsels, and once or twice clowns, But never triggers. Look for a new safe home for the fish. I wouldn't even take them back to the store. He would just sell them again to someone new to cycle their tank. Unfortantely there are some store owners who are strickly in the hobby for the money that can be made. Those are the ones to stay away from. They will sell you anything and everything. They especailly like to sell you cheap infearier equipment, knowing that it would handle your tank. or that it just doesn't work, then in a month or two sell you the next step up. By the time the first year has pasted you would have bought 4 different skimmers, 3 different sets of lights. and 3 or 4 different filter systems. Not to mention the 10 or so powerheads you will have lying around. These guy are the one to really watch out for. Now that you have found a safe place to ask your questions, You are all the better for it. We make nothing from you. So our suggestions are all for your best intrest.

 

[robosapien]

Where is this 'chump located'?

 

[treblehook]

Originally Posted by Robosapien
Where is this 'chump located'?
Northern NJ.....the more feedback and reading I do the angrier I get. I will try and find the clown trigger and tomato clown a home today. I will leave the damsels in as the tank has already started to cycle. The Trigger and clown are great looking specimens and I am smacking myself in the head for listening to this guy.

 

[gmidd]

Originally Posted by TrebleHook
yes i should have known better...i made a big mistake. Should have read up on here first. I hoipe the Trigger snd tomato make it they were rather pricey
While you could have done some research, this primarily falls on the LFS. They should be there to help educate people new to the hobby and not rob them and set them up for failure as this guy did, which in my opinion is borderline criminal. Like these forums LFS owners/workers should be there to help grow a hobby. In the end the LFS will make more with repeat business through integrity. It’s sad that you see things like this.

 

[watson3]

Originally Posted by TrebleHook
Flag should have went up when he claimed he will resell them and give me half price.
It is not uncommon for a fish store to give you half of the going rate when you return a fish..Is a courtesy

 

[treblehook]

Originally Posted by watson3
It is not uncommon for a fish store to give you half of the going rate when you return a fish..Is a courtesy
A courtesy? To sell me $300.00 in fish to cycle and then when returned give back 1/2 the price and then re sell-them again. I am on my way there today.

 

[watson3]

The courtesy being that you would get anything at all for the return...Not everyone does this..

 

[gsxr1000]

Seems like some fish stores just like to mess up your tank so you will spend more money! I have been fighting with a store too. Not on fish but tank setup.
Not to get off the subject but you Paid 300 for those fish? I don't think there fish prices are very good.

 

[craig7220]

I sure wouldn't want to be the guy that buys the fish that lived through a cycle....after you turn them back in... I would be asking this guy to take the fish back and refund the purchase price. Hope it all works out for you. Keep us posted and welcome to the forum

 

[watson3]

Originally Posted by craig7220
I sure wouldn't want to be the guy that buys the fish that lived through a cycle....after you turn them back in... I would be asking this guy to take the fish back and refund the purchase price. Hope it all works out for you. Keep us posted and welcome to the forum
For all we know, Treble may have gotten already cycled fish... :thinking:

 

[craig7220]

Very true....

 

[treblehook]

Just got back from the dealer he would only take the clown trigger and tomato back on consignment only. He will give me half of whatever he sells them for. Still looking for a home before the ammonia gets too high.