Fish Auctions?

[Sara]

I've just found out that there's going to be a fish auction in my area on Sunday. I'm hoping to go, but I've never been to an auction before and had a few questions...

(1) Are fish at auctions generally from breeders or just from people who are trying to get rid of a few extra fish?
(2) I know (obviously) prices will vary, but in general, are they lower/comparable/higher than most [acronym:73a4acd614="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:73a4acd614]'s?
(3) Because these fish are coming from private homes/breeders (as opposed to [acronym:73a4acd614="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:73a4acd614]'s) do they need to be quarantined as if they were any other fish?

Thanks in advance! I'm really looking forward to going...even if I don't buy anything, it should be an experience!

[Allivymar]

1) Both! Some are folks looking to sell the best of their stock to fellow enthusiasts, other times they are looking to make room.

2) Generally a little to a lot lower. Depends on how badly someone wants a fish *grin*

3) [acronym:7e0b578da4="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:7e0b578da4] EVERY fish, no matter where they come from (except from one of your own tanks into another of your own tanks).

You'll have a great time; fish auctions are too cool!

[Menagerie]

Sara, I think I heard of that one! I just attended one in Calgary and everyone was a buzz over the Edmonton auction this coming weekend. You should go just to check it out.
The auction that took place in Calgary was held by the Calgary Aquarium Society. The items that were auctioned were from member's--plants, fish and equipment. There were a few items that had been donated from a local retailer (they made a big deal about this, since that money would go directly to the club).
Have fun!

[Sara]

3) [acronym:7957c8015b="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:7957c8015b] EVERY fish, no matter where they come from (except from one of your own tanks into another of your own tanks).

Going off topic, but...

With that in mind, what's the best way to get my [acronym:7957c8015b="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:7957c8015b] tank ready for Sunday? It was last used to house panda cories with a bacterial infection and treated with Super Sulfa.

I've got a new filter sponge for it if I need. Do the old sponges need to be thrown out? Does the gravel need to be rinsed? Can I manage to do an insta-cyle for that tank (by putting the sponges in an established tank for a few days)?

Thanks!

[Endgame319]

I know which one you are talking about, I would LOVE to go, but sadley I'm going to london next week . How often do they host these things? I would love to go to the next one. And be sure to tell me what kind of things they're selling there .

^EDIT

The best way to get your [acronym:0b2f4c479d="quarantine or quart depending on context"]qt[/acronym:0b2f4c479d] ready is to have a spong media in one of your cycled tanks ready to be transferred to the new tank.

[Sara]

I stumbled upon an announcement on Edmonton Buy and Sell...I had no idea that these were going on at all. Regardless, I'll be sure to tell you all about it...

[Menagerie]

What I do each time I need to use my [acronym:655fc48606="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:655fc48606] tank is fill it with established tank water. Then 1/4 water changes daily (or so, depending on test results), using established tank water. Oh, I just realized your tanks are very small. My method works because I have two large tanks.
Hmmm.
I would rinse out the tank well--including sponge and gravel. How large is your [acronym:655fc48606="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:655fc48606] tank? Seed the sponge you are going to use in the [acronym:655fc48606="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:655fc48606] tank either by putting it in a current filter (won't harm the established tank because you have bacteria everywhere--decor and gravel). If the filters are not compatible, just let the sponge sit in the 10 [acronym:655fc48606="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:655fc48606]. In any event, it is too close to the auction to fully seed the sponge, but it is a start. Be prepared for daily water changes
[acronym:655fc48606="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:655fc48606]

[jsoong]

Where is this aution? I'd love to go, but I'll be out of town this WE ..

However, I'd love to hear about your experience & dates of the next one.

[Sara]

I would rinse out the tank well--including sponge and gravel.

Do I need to rinse it out with anything either than water? Bleach or anything?

How large is your [acronym:343f605b4c="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:343f605b4c] tank?

Its a 2 [acronym:343f605b4c="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:343f605b4c] waterhome. I'm only looking to pick up one or two small fish and maybe a shrimp or two, so it should be ok...

Thanks for your help, Menagerie!

[Menagerie]

With the use of that Super Sulfa, I wouldn't expect anything to be alive. Has the tank been in storage? My gut feeling says water will be fine. However, I just battled a gross infection of some sort for a month--lost 5 out of 6 fish. My fiance did bleach out the tank to prep it for one of our brooding fish. If you bleach it, use a capful of bleach per 2 gals of water. Then rinse and rinse and rinse

The auction I went to had a ton of Killifish and brichardi. We already own brichardi and I wanted some killifish for my community tank, but restraint was used (since I have no idea about killis and don't need another tank--if they are not community fish!). I saw no shrimp, but snails were there.
Just know what you want and how much you are willing to pay for it!