Things to avoid when going to the LFS's

[michaeltx]

Ok guys and gals I have been coming across a few NEW things at the LFS so I thought it would be a good topic for here.
here goes I would like everyone to add to this thread things that you beleive are RED flags when you go into the LFS' when you go to buy itmes for your tank. I will start with a few
1)Rock that is pinkish purple and you can still see the the rock under it. This rock has started showing up in my area and its not TRUE LR but fetches the same price. Its dyed or painted to make the rock look established and can fool ya if you are just starting out.
2) Any tank that is set up with dead fish in it. some casualties should be expacted in a LFS because it happens but you can tell if it is recent or has been in there awhile.
3) Stay away from sales tacktics Its the best product for a new tank !!! come here and ask questions about it unfortunarelty most of these products are useless.
4) question a LFS about things you know if they answer your questions in way thats not clear or wrong from what you know then its a major red flag and you shouldnt trust anything they say because you just proved they wasnt telling you the truth or outdated info that will cause you more problems later on.
5) always research your purchases dont trust someone that is going to get paid if you take it home.
Alright I am going to leave this open for anyone and every to chime in and tell us what you see as a red flag when going into the LFS"
This thread is not a bashing thread just post what you see as a red flag when dealing with LFS'
Mike

 

[msgmac47]

I have to agree, but I got the good end of the stick about a month ago. I went to my LFS and bought both a Kenya Tree and Pulsating Xenia for 20 dollars. And they turned out nice.

 

[nigerbang]

I saw this the other day...I about passed out...
Kid at a not so LFS was feeding the fish..(Beside the fact you can walk in there and feed a Green Moray that is in a 75 and its about...I dunno.....4 feet long..for $1 can you imagine the ammonia in a 75 gallon tank with a 48" eel that gets fed 10-20 times a week..
If you see them feed fish with Freshwater fish...Red Flag for me..
He couldnt get one of the poor fish to eat...So he started jabbing it with a net....

 

[florida joe]

This is for the guys ( or girls ) avoid the sexy sales girl keep your mind on the fish

 

[coraljunky]

I've seen lfs with so much aptasia, you would think they sell it.

 

[nigerbang]

Originally Posted by coraljunky
I've seen lfs with so much aptasia, you would think they sell it.
I have seen one that did...$8 a pop

 

[scsinet]

Miracle products.
"Cycle in 24 hours!"
"Never do water changes!"
"Reef Safe Ich Cure!"
To elaborate on that last one... LFS staff I've found are generally completely uneducated in the proper application of medications, and often disease identification.
Also LFS staff is generally terrible about selling things that are insuffiient under your lighting; they are more interested in making the sale than ensuring your success. If you see a specimen you like, put down a refundable deposit to hold it and do your own research, or pick up one of the books right there in the store and research for yourself.
Generally, you should educate yourself before talking to an LFS or anyone who has an agenda (selling products usually). Knowing at least enough to know if you're being sold snake oil is a powerful weapon against being made a schmuck.

 

[usc932000]

My BIGGEST Pet Peeve with LFS are Prices!!
Its to be expected that sometimes we have to go to the LFS for an emergency item or two, or you run out of something that you thought you had. But I REFUSE to pay LFS prices on just about any hardware. Example, I just set my second tank up thats just been in storage for 5 years (Just moved back to the states)...after looking around I decided to go with a Mag 7 for my sump. The LFS wanted $100 (PLUS TAX OF COURSE!)...So I went online and bought the Mag 7, Rio 800(for skimmer) and a 40lb bag of CC for just over $100(including shipping)..My point is, if you can wait

... do it!
As for advice from salespersons, I normally don't ask for any...period! Maybe I'll ask what are they feeding the fish, how long have they had them, and if possible can I see them eat...thats IT! Of course not all LFS are horror stories...some of us here are working in or have (me included

...lol) worked in a LFS. But I prefer to shop at Aquarium only outlets rather than a pet store and that goes for corporate and private. In my expericence I have found that fish only stores normally have healthy fish and good prices.
As another poster wrote, I'd rather post here for advice rather than deal with the a bad LFS.

 

[perfectdark]

When purchasing a fish from your LFS dont just stop at the tank that has your fish in it. Examine all the marine tanks that are there. Look at the general health of the fish. Ask the owner or their help if the tanks are all plumbed together, (most are) only one local fs that I know of where they are not. If they are the likleyhood of a fish with ICH or some other sickness or disese in another tank to infect the fish you want is high. One more reason to QT your fish when you buy them but being aware of your LFS set ups might prevent you from buying a fish thats problematic already.

 

[usc932000]

You 100% correct PerfectDark!!
The area that I just moved to has an ok SW display, and a few of their tanks have ICH and some fish have cloudy eyes, so while my tank is cycling, I am looking for alternative stores, even in the next state and a few hours drive throughout the state.

 

[perfectdark]

There are a few in RI that are good... drop me a PM and I can tell you their names. If your willing to travel they are ok.. Only one in my area I put 100% faith in and trust.. they QT all the fish they ship in, in the basment of their facility they have a hospital. They charge a bit more for their live stock but there is no doubt you are getting a healthy disese and parasite free fish.

 

[michaeltx]

giving it a bump for more interection on what to look for when you go into a LFS' and what thows up your red flags when you go into a store.
Mike

 

[m0nk]

A LFS up here just went under new management. When I started asking about certain fish species she didn't know anything about them and some common ones she had never heard of. I think she was a short time hobbyist before buying the store, so I definitely agree with the red flag there that was mentioned in the original post; ask questions you know the answers to and if they can't get them remotely correct then watch out.
Oh, if they say "there's no need to QT our fish", DON'T LISTEN TO THEM!!

 

[chilwil84]

a lot of panther groupers, green morays, and tesslatta(sp) eels for sale as young animals

 

[srfisher17]

Biggest red flag for me: The sign out front says "*****"!I hear PetSmart is getting into the SWF biz; I'd expect the same thing.

 

[reefkprz]

red flags
1 almost no LR in any of the tanks
2 only one brand of any saltwater related products
3 regular flourescents over corals/anemone
4 13.99 a lb LR
5 improperly labled items fish corals etc.
6 saying its ok to feed goldfish to the lion fish.........

7 (no offense to our young members) Young employees, unfortunatly they usually get hired because they work cheap, not knowledge, there are of course exceptions.

 

[m0nk]

Originally Posted by reefkprZ
red flags
1 almost no LR in any of the tanks
2 only one brand of any saltwater related products
3 regular flourescents over corals/anemone
4 13.99 a lb LR
5 improperly labled items fish corals etc.
6 saying its ok to feed goldfish to the lion fish.........

7 (no offense to our young members) Young employees, unfortunatly they usually get hired because they work cheap, not knowledge, there are of course exceptions.
I was down at That Fish Place the other week and there was a kid I'd swear was 12 or 13 working and he oddly had good answers to all of my questions. He also gave me info that I came home and researched and found to be true. I felt bad because although he was the one who "waited" on me, I kept asking the older employee behind him questions but the kid kept answering them and the older guy just nodded....haha.

 

[usc932000]

Sorry for getting off subject for a sec, but my Red Flag is tank husbandry! If I see sick Fish I am immediately turned off. Its not the fact that the fish are sick or sometimes worse, its the fact that the store is not watching their tanks properly to remove the fish to hospital tanks, or when you walk into a store and a shipment have just arrived but the store dont QT the fish. Instead they just put them in the tanks to be sold.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by USC932000
Sorry for getting off subject for a sec, but my Red Flag is tank husbandry! If I see sick Fish I am immediately turned off. Its not the fact that the fish are sick or sometimes worse, its the fact that the store is not watching their tanks properly to remove the fish to hospital tanks, or when you walk into a store and a shipment have just arrived but the store dont QT the fish. Instead they just put them in the tanks to be sold.
It is every hobbiest's job to quarantine fish. Stores get fish directly from the distributors. They come from the sea before the distributors. Most stores cannot afford to quarantine all new fish. The fish come in with parasites, and often in poor health. That is why it is important to spot a fish that you like and ask the store to keep it for you. Come back every two days, make sure the fish eats well before you buy it. We can condemn stores all we would like. It is the responsibility of the hobbiest to be certain that they are buying a healthy fish, and to be sure that they keep it healthy.

 

[earlybird]

Originally Posted by florida joe
This is for the guys ( or girls ) avoid the sexy sales girl keep your mind on the fish
Joe I'm in your area and want to know where the sexy girl works

I can't stand walking into places to see that they have major algae or cyano problems. There's a place near me that has corals with tons of bubble algae all over them.