why people think they can have goldfish in a 2 gallon tank...

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DragonFish71 said:
Yet I find it fascinating, bordering on hysterical that whenever I go into one of the big chains and get a bunch of fish they still try to quote that "inch per gallon" mantra of theirs.

(conversation goes like this. We just purchased 55 neon tetras)

them: What size tank are you putting them in?

us: A 55g to qt then into a 115g tank.

them: You know it should be an inch of fish per gallon right?

me: So by that rule I can get that 10inch albino oscar and put him in one of my 10g tanks right?

them: (blustering) Well no, that's not how it's meant.

me: Really? Please explain to me how 55 barely 1 inch fish can't live a long and healthy life in a 55g tank?

them: It's more about the amount of waste they produce.

me: (my fiance just stands there smirking) So you think that 55 little neons put out more waste than an oscar does? Have you ever seen an oscar poop? (used another word but this is a family site)

them: Maybe I should get my manager since you're being difficult and not listening to my advice.

me: Yes, perhaps you should get him so I can also let him know about you just selling that 2g fish bowl, common pleco and 5 small oranda goldfish to the same family after they just asked you if they could all fit in that bowl together.

them: I think I'll just get someone else to help you.

me: I think you better. You obviously are under paid for your vast knowledge of fish keeping.
Click to expand...

I don't really get your little story. Are you saying that the store keeper said you couldn't fit the neons into the 55g or 115g, or he was saying that you could fit a lot more than 55 in a 115g?
 
DragonFish71 said:
He was saying I couldn't home them in the 55g.
Click to expand...

Oh. That's odd, especially because...
1. 55 Neons don't add up to 55 inches
2. That rule is bogus
3. You're putting them in a 115 gallon later anyways!
4. He suggested a 2g tank for Goldfish
 
DragonFish71 said:
Yet I find it fascinating, bordering on hysterical that whenever I go into one of the big chains and get a bunch of fish they still try to quote that "inch per gallon" mantra of theirs.

(conversation goes like this. We just purchased 55 neon tetras)

them: What size tank are you putting them in?

us: A 55g to qt then into a 115g tank.

them: You know it should be an inch of fish per gallon right?

me: So by that rule I can get that 10inch albino oscar and put him in one of my 10g tanks right?

them: (blustering) Well no, that's not how it's meant.

me: Really? Please explain to me how 55 barely 1 inch fish can't live a long and healthy life in a 55g tank?

them: It's more about the amount of waste they produce.

me: (my fiance just stands there smirking) So you think that 55 little neons put out more waste than an oscar does? Have you ever seen an oscar poop? (used another word but this is a family site)

them: Maybe I should get my manager since you're being difficult and not listening to my advice.

me: Yes, perhaps you should get him so I can also let him know about you just selling that 2g fish bowl, common pleco and 5 small oranda goldfish to the same family after they just asked you if they could all fit in that bowl together.

them: I think I'll just get someone else to help you.

me: I think you better. You obviously are under paid for your vast knowledge of fish keeping.
Click to expand...

mandy2936 said:
Oh. That's odd, especially because...
1. 55 Neons don't add up to 55 inches
2. That rule is bogus
3. You're putting them in a 115 gallon later anyways!
4. He suggested a 2g tank for Goldfish
Click to expand...
1 they do get bigger than a inch if you want to get technical. full grown is reaching 1.5 inch....
2 yes but at least its better then just selling them and walking away. even a little info to get someone to stop and think can help....

in the end what happened.... one side feels morally superior? the other side just another crazy customer? any good really came from it? this is why i stress education. could have easy explained why it works. now if they still didnt want to learn you cant force them to but at least they would have had a choice.
 
this thread went from goldfish in tiny tanks to -> fish rights (lol) to -> the terrible employees from big chain and some LFS, lol
 
Interesting about the background thing, I don't have a background on my tank either, but it is up against a cream coloured wall, so at least there's no movement on that size to freak them out! I've seen tanks with backgrounds and without exception they look horrid!

Being able to see the collection of wires running down the back of the tank isn't great either but I do try to hide that with plants!
 
DragonFish71 said:
Yet I find it fascinating, bordering on hysterical that whenever I go into one of the big chains and get a bunch of fish they still try to quote that "inch per gallon" mantra of theirs.

(conversation goes like this. We just purchased 55 neon tetras)

them: What size tank are you putting them in?

us: A 55g to qt then into a 115g tank.

them: You know it should be an inch of fish per gallon right?

me: So by that rule I can get that 10inch albino oscar and put him in one of my 10g tanks right?

them: (blustering) Well no, that's not how it's meant.

me: Really? Please explain to me how 55 barely 1 inch fish can't live a long and healthy life in a 55g tank?

them: It's more about the amount of waste they produce.

me: (my fiance just stands there smirking) So you think that 55 little neons put out more waste than an oscar does? Have you ever seen an oscar poop? (used another word but this is a family site)

them: Maybe I should get my manager since you're being difficult and not listening to my advice.

me: Yes, perhaps you should get him so I can also let him know about you just selling that 2g fish bowl, common pleco and 5 small oranda goldfish to the same family after they just asked you if they could all fit in that bowl together.

them: I think I'll just get someone else to help you.

me: I think you better. You obviously are under paid for your vast knowledge of fish keeping.
Click to expand...
Thats great dig into them!
 
I think you have to feel sorry for them sometimes. There's a guy that works in one of my local stores who really does know his stuff. Yet he still has to sell 5 gallon tanks for kids to keep their goldfish in - that's his job and he wouldn't keep it if he told everyone that you need at least 20 gallons per goldfish.
 
I just got a piece of blue construction paper for the back of my tank, and I like it. It really brightens up the whole tank when the light is on. :)
 
Now, on the back ground subject.

I have store bought ones (somewhat "natural' scenes), we painted the back of one tank black, we have a bamboo shade to put on the 120, and on the twin tanks (115s) we used burlap material. It actually seems to add some depth to the tanks.

I prefer backgrounds in general, but if the plants have grown in enough that I don't see the wall, I'm good with that :)
 
mgamer20o0 said:
1 they do get bigger than a inch if you want to get technical. full grown is reaching 1.5 inch....
Click to expand...
Really? I thought that was the Jumbo Neon Tetras... I'm pretty sure the regular ones stay under an inch.

2 yes but at least its better then just selling them and walking away. even a little info to get someone to stop and think can help....
Click to expand...
Sometimes that "rule" works as a guideline to people stocking with small fish. But really, as said earlier, you can't keep a 20in fish in a 20g tank. Plus, it depends on the shape of the tank, filtration, upkeep, hardiness, delicacy, etc. of the fish. So again, it's an okay guideline.
 
DragonFish71 said:
Yet I find it fascinating, bordering on hysterical that whenever I go into one of the big chains and get a bunch of fish they still try to quote that "inch per gallon" mantra of theirs.

(conversation goes like this. We just purchased 55 neon tetras)

them: What size tank are you putting them in?

us: A 55g to qt then into a 115g tank.

them: You know it should be an inch of fish per gallon right?

me: So by that rule I can get that 10inch albino oscar and put him in one of my 10g tanks right?

them: (blustering) Well no, that's not how it's meant.

me: Really? Please explain to me how 55 barely 1 inch fish can't live a long and healthy life in a 55g tank?

them: It's more about the amount of waste they produce.

me: (my fiance just stands there smirking) So you think that 55 little neons put out more waste than an oscar does? Have you ever seen an oscar poop? (used another word but this is a family site)

them: Maybe I should get my manager since you're being difficult and not listening to my advice.

me: Yes, perhaps you should get him so I can also let him know about you just selling that 2g fish bowl, common pleco and 5 small oranda goldfish to the same family after they just asked you if they could all fit in that bowl together.

them: I think I'll just get someone else to help you.

me: I think you better. You obviously are under paid for your vast knowledge of fish keeping.
Click to expand...

is it really that serious to go off on him/her like that? obviously the employee didnt know squat, you didnt have to abuse your knowledge of fish taking onto him, you just had to inform them, they are not there to take care of fish, you have to remember that, they are there to sucker you into buying them... what dont people get about that? do you actually expect them to accommodate every fish, seriously EVERY FISH?
 
maxima423 said:
is it really that serious to go off on him/her like that? obviously the employee didnt know squat, you didnt have to abuse your knowledge of fish taking onto him, you just had to inform them, they are not there to take care of fish, you have to remember that, they are there to sucker you into buying them... what dont people get about that? do you actually expect them to accommodate every fish, seriously EVERY FISH?
Click to expand...


It is the same employee every time. If it happened once or twice I can let it slide. This particular one has fought every purchase we've made until this incident. Since then, this one has left us alone to make our purchases without comments.

Buying feeders, asks what size tank we're going to keep them in. Ummm, the bellies of Jack Dempseys maybe?

Buying a tank or equipment, tries to sell us things we don't need. I mean seriously, for FW do I really need a calcium reactor? Pfft.

Buying bettas and says they're fine in the cups, they don't need heaters or space. Wow ok.

Buying Prime, says no need to use "stuff like that". Huh?

So yes, after hearing things like that from this person, I felt fully justified to be rude.

And for the record, that was hardly abusive. Abusive is when on Christmas Eve, after we put down over $500.00 dollars on a tank/stand combo, this person calls our home and says we can't have the stand for our combo (was on back order) because the other employee sold it incorrectly as a combo (which it wasn't supposed to have been per this person) without paying another $300.00. Good thing I had the signed receipt and the 800 customer service #.
 
mandy2936 said:
Really? I thought that was the Jumbo Neon Tetras... I'm pretty sure the regular ones stay under an inch.


Sometimes that "rule" works as a guideline to people stocking with small fish. But really, as said earlier, you can't keep a 20in fish in a 20g tank. Plus, it depends on the shape of the tank, filtration, upkeep, hardiness, delicacy, etc. of the fish. So again, it's an okay guideline.
Click to expand...
Paracheirodon innesi / neon tetra gets over a inch. the jumbo tend to be sold as the full grown adults.

as for the rules people dont learn how things really work in the tank. in most cases that whole inch per gallon is wrong more then its right. its better to learn and understand how everything ties in vs one of those stupid rules.
 
But you do have to start somewhere with these things. When you are first starting out you may well think that you can fit 100 inches of fish in a 20 gallon tank, so it's a good starting point to manage your expectations.
 
next she'll try to get rid of her daughter!
I'm talking about the woman who got a fish for her 1 year old then it died after 4 days. Now she's trying to get rid of her dog.
(There is no deleting posts.)
 
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