Things to avoid when going to the LFS's
- Thread starter michaeltx
- Start date
flower
Well-Known Member
I offer the following advice.....DO NOT ASK THE LFS FOR ADVICE AT ALL EVER. Go into the store knowing what you want. You can ask where something is or when it might be available again, but do not ask about anything concerning your fish tank. Have a pocket guide to fish and inverts right in the car and if while you are in the store...see something you like...go get your book and see what they need.
Corals....if you can control yourself...ask a name, write it down and go do research. If you are looking for equipment, a new skimmer or something...call and ask them what they carry in the store...then go online and see that brand compared to others.
This site is a Heaven sent. The world wide web is at your fingertips for advice from folks on this site to help you. The ONLY reason they give advice is to help you. We are not after a sale, and if one person misguides you or give bad advice...10 others will jump in to straighten them out before thier advice kills your tank. Even if I got advice from a close friend with a PHD in Marine biology, I would run their thoughts here before I follow it.
Corals....if you can control yourself...ask a name, write it down and go do research. If you are looking for equipment, a new skimmer or something...call and ask them what they carry in the store...then go online and see that brand compared to others.
This site is a Heaven sent. The world wide web is at your fingertips for advice from folks on this site to help you. The ONLY reason they give advice is to help you. We are not after a sale, and if one person misguides you or give bad advice...10 others will jump in to straighten them out before thier advice kills your tank. Even if I got advice from a close friend with a PHD in Marine biology, I would run their thoughts here before I follow it.
wartooth1
Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by srfisher17 http:///forum/thread/285699/things-to-avoid-when-going-to-the-lfs-s#post_2276701
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.
Haha thats so true! I went in my local ***** the other day (because its next door to In N' Out) just to look at the fish while I waited for my burger and ugh... no joking around here EVERY single saltwater tank contained fish with Ich... there was even one poor Yellow Tang that was almost pale white with its bones showing and all its fins were pratically eaten off by the Ich.... and they wanted 45 bucks for it! Saddest looking fish I've ever seen.
Personally my biggest red flag is when a majority of their corals are bleaching or have their skeletons exposed. I mean, it takes a LONG time for corals to go bad. If they can't take care of their own animals, how can I expect them to give me good advise about mine?
Originally Posted by srfisher17 http:///forum/thread/285699/things-to-avoid-when-going-to-the-lfs-s#post_2276701
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.
Haha thats so true! I went in my local ***** the other day (because its next door to In N' Out) just to look at the fish while I waited for my burger and ugh... no joking around here EVERY single saltwater tank contained fish with Ich... there was even one poor Yellow Tang that was almost pale white with its bones showing and all its fins were pratically eaten off by the Ich.... and they wanted 45 bucks for it! Saddest looking fish I've ever seen.
Personally my biggest red flag is when a majority of their corals are bleaching or have their skeletons exposed. I mean, it takes a LONG time for corals to go bad. If they can't take care of their own animals, how can I expect them to give me good advise about mine?
meowzer
Moderator
WELL a couple of weeks ago I stopped by the notsolocal *****....and all their SWF tanks were empty....they told us they were no longer gonna do SW....I CHEERED....LOL...I was soooo tired of seeing fish that were sick or gasping
NOW the notsolocal Petsmart I visit periodically only has FW...BUT I will say this.,....their tanks are always amazing, with healthy fish...
NOW NOT ALL LFS stores are bad.......you just have to do a lot of your own research...DO NOT depend on a salesperson to steer you in the right direction
NOW the notsolocal Petsmart I visit periodically only has FW...BUT I will say this.,....their tanks are always amazing, with healthy fish...
NOW NOT ALL LFS stores are bad.......you just have to do a lot of your own research...DO NOT depend on a salesperson to steer you in the right direction
travelerjp98
Active Member
great, great thread... thanks for bumping it, mike... I also hope that this helps a newbie!
tirtza
Member
As a newbie (I've only had my tank running for 2 months) I don't know what I'd do without the people on this website!
Denver only has one LFS and I've generally found that I can trust them. I get the feeling that they care more about the health of my aquarium and good business practices then just making a sale. There have been multiple times (with various employees) where I have asked about purchasing certain products and I was told that I either didn't really need it or that I shouldn't use it. If they didn't care, they could have just sold me anything and everything I asked about. They've definitely helped me curb my impulse buying habit! **I still personally prefer the massive amount of experience that can be derived from asking a question on SWF.com though! I love looking at past discussion threads and there are a couple of members who are my 'go to' experts/friends any time I have a (big or little) question. (Thanks Spanko and Kiefers!
)
jacobsdad09
Member
thats kind of rough bassing all LFS the lfs near my house is awesome the guy there knows just about any thing and everything and honestly when i go into look and ask question i feel like i have to stop becuase he has the same info as the site and he explains both sides of the arugement....i love my lfs and honestly if it wasnt for the great fish they have at the store i wouldnt be into the hobby.....on a side note red flag has to be if they dont sell ro water or have a frag tank....also if u use lingo such as lfs or sps and they look at u like u have 3 heads yea not a good place
tirtza
Member
That's so true JacobsDad 09! My LFS has a huge sign hanging above the checkout counter that says "Tap Water Kills Fish!!" They sell RO water for a very reasonable price (you do have to bring your own containers or buy one of their containers). Just out of curiosity....if I were to prepare some water ahead of time (using RO water + Kent Reef Salt Mix) how long would it last? Could I keep it for a week or two before I used it?
travelerjp98
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by tirtza http:///t/285699/things-to-avoid-when-going-to-the-lfs-s/40#post_3419920
That's so true JacobsDad 09! My LFS has a huge sign hanging above the checkout counter that says "Tap Water Kills Fish!!" They sell RO water for a very reasonable price (you do have to bring your own containers or buy one of their containers). Just out of curiosity....if I were to prepare some water ahead of time (using RO water + Kent Reef Salt Mix) how long would it last? Could I keep it for a week or two before I used it?
It could last forever... just make sure that no evaporation has taken place, because that would increase the salinity.
Originally Posted by tirtza http:///t/285699/things-to-avoid-when-going-to-the-lfs-s/40#post_3419920
That's so true JacobsDad 09! My LFS has a huge sign hanging above the checkout counter that says "Tap Water Kills Fish!!" They sell RO water for a very reasonable price (you do have to bring your own containers or buy one of their containers). Just out of curiosity....if I were to prepare some water ahead of time (using RO water + Kent Reef Salt Mix) how long would it last? Could I keep it for a week or two before I used it?
It could last forever... just make sure that no evaporation has taken place, because that would increase the salinity.