Doan
Aquarium Advice Freak
I know everyone always complains about the LFS did this or said that... But at what point is it ok to just pipe up when you hear something bad? I was asked to leave a fish store the other day by an employee and have really been struggling with it.. I mean really I know by no means am I an expert like alot of you but I know just enough to be dangerous..
Here is what happend...
Go to this store alot .. Like it for the most part the have a great selection ... they do have alot of stuff that they shouldn't be selling.. Like scallops etc... you know stuff that really has no business in the hobby cause it's gonna die sooner more than later... But thats cool I'm not gonna tell anyone how to run thier business. Also they have an EVERYTHING is compatible and tank size is not important as you would think and All EVERY coral needs is light kinda attitiude and that is info they despence it's sad but again I bite my tounge ... But last week it just got crazy and I was in a foul mood when I finally pulled someone aside and gave them real information... First what happend was some guy was in there and wanted to buy a Flame Angel turned to the saleslady and says " Would one of those be ok in my 125 with 2 full grown lions and some groupers and triggers? " The sales lady looks right at the guy and says "Sure he's really fast and those fish won't bother him" Uhhhh ok by now your thinking what I was ... Ummmm actually they will eat this 2 inch flame prolly within about 10 minutes.. The sales lady then says " Do you have any rock for him to hide in?" To which he replies No just fish.. She then says well... that should still be ok flames are really fast.. Buy now I am just frustrated from listening mind you I have not said anything... so I walk away to check out the coral tank.. So about 15 minutes goes buy I pick out some zoos.. and head up to the counter and get in line behind a different guy with his wife who tell the same saleslady from earlier they would like two dogfaced puffers would she get them for them.. She says Suuuuureee.. then she says what size tank do you have ... He says "about uhhhh this big" and stretches his arms out a little.. Here my interest is peaked cause most people who do aquariums as a hobby know their tank size.. Anyway she says... well it's a little small but they should be ok.. (Ok so then I am thinking well it's not the right advice but it's better than what I am used to hearing in here) He says "OK " she is now out from behind the counter they are walking up the little steps to the tanks and he says "and how much salt do I need to add to my tank so they will be happy but not hurt my other fish?" She looks at him and says "well from what you described I think you have about a 20 gallon I will get a bag of it for you." By now I am just stunned and have kinda been drifiting along behind them cause I just cannot belive what I am hearing..well the sales lady walks away to get the net to get the fish and the salt I am guessing cause she came back with a bag of IO. While she is gone I go up to the guy and just let him know that this is not only gonna end bad it's gonna end bad very quickly for not only the puffers, but his current fish, his wallet etc.. I gave him a quick summary of reasons why this was just bad told him if he wanted a Saltwater tank to come to AA and do some research...( the post is getting long and this is AA so you can prolly guess some of the other reasons I gave) The sales lady comes back and the guy looks at her and says "This guy says that this is not a good idea" and points at me... Now I am an adult (almost 30) not very confrintational did not really want to confront the store lady but now I was kinda involved. She looks at him and says "Are you gonna trust some guy off the street or someone who works with fish everyday and has had them her whole life?" "If this gentleman does not feel that we are giving good advice perhaps he should take his buisiness elsewhere as we have been open longer than he's been alive." Then she looks at me and says "Sir, I think it is time for you to leave" By now I am just in shock and unfortunatly was not gonna cause a scene so I did leave.. I did however wait in the parking lot and that guy and his wife came out pufferless and saltless. So mabye I helped ....
I dunno I am not one to rock the boat so to speak and have never been asked to leave a store, bar, etc.... It was very strange and I don't wanna come off like some fish fanatic.. but at that point what was I to do.. For some reason I feel bad ... but shoud I?
I guess I am looking for adivce from you guys cause all of you know alot more than I do about this hobby and I am sure you hear stuff in the LFS all the time that you know is just wrong. How do you handle those situations?
Doan
Here is what happend...
Go to this store alot .. Like it for the most part the have a great selection ... they do have alot of stuff that they shouldn't be selling.. Like scallops etc... you know stuff that really has no business in the hobby cause it's gonna die sooner more than later... But thats cool I'm not gonna tell anyone how to run thier business. Also they have an EVERYTHING is compatible and tank size is not important as you would think and All EVERY coral needs is light kinda attitiude and that is info they despence it's sad but again I bite my tounge ... But last week it just got crazy and I was in a foul mood when I finally pulled someone aside and gave them real information... First what happend was some guy was in there and wanted to buy a Flame Angel turned to the saleslady and says " Would one of those be ok in my 125 with 2 full grown lions and some groupers and triggers? " The sales lady looks right at the guy and says "Sure he's really fast and those fish won't bother him" Uhhhh ok by now your thinking what I was ... Ummmm actually they will eat this 2 inch flame prolly within about 10 minutes.. The sales lady then says " Do you have any rock for him to hide in?" To which he replies No just fish.. She then says well... that should still be ok flames are really fast.. Buy now I am just frustrated from listening mind you I have not said anything... so I walk away to check out the coral tank.. So about 15 minutes goes buy I pick out some zoos.. and head up to the counter and get in line behind a different guy with his wife who tell the same saleslady from earlier they would like two dogfaced puffers would she get them for them.. She says Suuuuureee.. then she says what size tank do you have ... He says "about uhhhh this big" and stretches his arms out a little.. Here my interest is peaked cause most people who do aquariums as a hobby know their tank size.. Anyway she says... well it's a little small but they should be ok.. (Ok so then I am thinking well it's not the right advice but it's better than what I am used to hearing in here) He says "OK " she is now out from behind the counter they are walking up the little steps to the tanks and he says "and how much salt do I need to add to my tank so they will be happy but not hurt my other fish?" She looks at him and says "well from what you described I think you have about a 20 gallon I will get a bag of it for you." By now I am just stunned and have kinda been drifiting along behind them cause I just cannot belive what I am hearing..well the sales lady walks away to get the net to get the fish and the salt I am guessing cause she came back with a bag of IO. While she is gone I go up to the guy and just let him know that this is not only gonna end bad it's gonna end bad very quickly for not only the puffers, but his current fish, his wallet etc.. I gave him a quick summary of reasons why this was just bad told him if he wanted a Saltwater tank to come to AA and do some research...( the post is getting long and this is AA so you can prolly guess some of the other reasons I gave) The sales lady comes back and the guy looks at her and says "This guy says that this is not a good idea" and points at me... Now I am an adult (almost 30) not very confrintational did not really want to confront the store lady but now I was kinda involved. She looks at him and says "Are you gonna trust some guy off the street or someone who works with fish everyday and has had them her whole life?" "If this gentleman does not feel that we are giving good advice perhaps he should take his buisiness elsewhere as we have been open longer than he's been alive." Then she looks at me and says "Sir, I think it is time for you to leave" By now I am just in shock and unfortunatly was not gonna cause a scene so I did leave.. I did however wait in the parking lot and that guy and his wife came out pufferless and saltless. So mabye I helped ....
I dunno I am not one to rock the boat so to speak and have never been asked to leave a store, bar, etc.... It was very strange and I don't wanna come off like some fish fanatic.. but at that point what was I to do.. For some reason I feel bad ... but shoud I?
I guess I am looking for adivce from you guys cause all of you know alot more than I do about this hobby and I am sure you hear stuff in the LFS all the time that you know is just wrong. How do you handle those situations?
Doan