microblift.

[88mTransco]

So my manager.... The definition of local fish store guy... Has told my self and the salt water specialist that the best way and the only way to lower nitrates in our fish systems is by doing our water changes (I agree with) having little to no substrates and bleaching it regularly,(I do not agree with. He wants the systems at this store to look like walmarts fish system with no substrate, he clams it produces the Healthiest fish) and by adding microblift.

The systems are about 250 to 300 gals and it's the common system you would see at a petco.

What he is telling me is less gravel and more microblift less water changes. He says the store is a fish hotel not a home. I get that... But I would rather stay in a Hilton inn then wagon wheel inn 10$ a night in next to the truck stop.

So my question to you all... How often do you bleach your gravel, and add microblift.

[Mebbid]

In a store you don't actually need any substrate except for some special cases such as burrowing fish. The microbe lift is completely unnecessary though.

Also, no aquarists bleach their substrate. Most hardcore aquarists use sand which won't trap detrius and will give you a much easier to clean substrate. It's also really really cheap since you can buy 50lbs of pool filter sand for around $8.

[Keflan]

One of the reasons pet shops don't have any gravel or sand is because it's easier to catch fish. Weather it changes their health I do not know.

[88mTransco]

So you would not have an issue walking into a pet store and seeing bare tanks?

[88mTransco]

Originally Posted by Keflan

One of the reasons pet shops don't have any gravel or sand is because it's easier to catch fish. Weather it changes their health I do not know.

I have never seen a pet stores in my area with bare tanks.

[Keflan]

Originally Posted by 88mTransco

I have never seen a pet stores in my area with bare tanks.

My LFS don't have bare tanks but a few others I have visited before I have seen them with nothing but just fish in there.

[88mTransco]

So no gravel = less water changes? Would it make that big of a difference?

[Mebbid]

Originally Posted by 88mTransco

So no gravel = less water changes? Would it make that big of a difference?

It's not really that simple. Any food that goes into the tank has to be removed with water changes. A thorough cleaning of the substrate is all that is needed to negate the issues with gravel.

I would be more worried about the tanks being situated in stacks all plumbed together. That is a potential disaster.

[88mTransco]

So a water change is still needed once a week no matter what?

[Mebbid]

Originally Posted by 88mTransco

So a water change is still needed once a week no matter what?

Pretty much. If you are running the high stocking levels like stores generally do you will need a water change every 2 days or so.

Why the issue with doing water changes? Water is not a big expense at all. ESPECIALLY when you weigh the cost of lost stock against the cost of a few water changes weekly.

[DragonFish71]

Your manager is an idiot. Think about it, does a toilet have gravel? No. After you use a toilet do you flush it? Yes. A bunch of fish swim in a tank all day long, swimming in their own waste, basically swimming in a toilet. So, let them swim in their own waste or "flush" it?

Seriously, some people need a 2x4 upside the head.

[88mTransco]

It takes "time" to change 300 gal plus explain why Nemo can't go in a fish bowl, and why fish need clean water not a water change every other month. We can only do a water change once a week on each system. My manager thinks we can slack off with no gravel BC that's how he did things at Walmart.

I have 8 hours to do a ton of work.... Helping customers is not added to that list. They add 2 mins pet task. So the company is saying I get 2 mins to help customers. When I can easily spend an hour teaching someone the basics. Any one want to hire an aquatics specialist?

[DragonFish71]

So he also likes to kick puppies and kittens? Because that's basically how I feel about Walmart having fish and anyone who thinks keeping fish like that is correct.

[Mebbid]

Originally Posted by 88mTransco

My manager thinks we can slack off with no gravel BC that's how he did things at Walmart.

That's the key statement right there. Walmart has an ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE survival rate for aquarium fish. In plain English for your manager: Less water changes means more loss of stock which means more money flushed down the drain with dead fish. Large numbers of dead fish in the tanks which the customers will see. When the store develops a reputation for poor quality you lose all the die hard aquarists. If that happens you can kiss your business good bye.

How many people on this forum do you see talking about their purchase of fish from wal mart? Personally, I have seen two people that have gotten their fish at wal mart in the year I've been on this forum.

If it's truly that complicated to do a water change then the process needs to be streamlined. There are plenty of ways to do water changes that require almost no effort.

Both of the good LFS in my city do daily water changes on all tanks. All of which are completely separate from each other. It's just 1 person running both of the stores.

[88mTransco]

Originally Posted by Mebbid

That's the key statement right there. Walmart has an ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE survival rate for aquarium fish. In plain English for your manager: Less water changes means more loss of stock which means more money flushed down the drain with dead fish. Large numbers of dead fish in the tanks which the customers will see. When the store develops a reputation for poor quality you lose all the die hard aquarists. If that happens you can kiss your business good bye.

How many people on this forum do you see talking about their purchase of fish from wal mart? Personally, I have seen two people that have gotten their fish at wal mart in the year I've been on this forum.

If it's truly that complicated to do a water change then the process needs to be streamlined. There are plenty of ways to do water changes that require almost no effort.

Both of the good LFS in my city do daily water changes on all tanks. All of which are completely separate from each other. It's just 1 person running both of the stores.

His response. You ready... "I don't agree with it but it's policy". I have thrown hundreds of ideas at him. That's his reply.

[Mebbid]

Is this a chain pet store? How about going over his head?

[plecostomuch]

Good idea meb. Def go over his head. Substrate is important as it helps allow the fish to orient themselves in the tank.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

[NYgiantsRP]

The manager is not the brightest bulb in the box. But you should still do what he tells you to do. He pays you. You could quit if its about morals.

[IShallNtEatFish]

Personally if I went to a store with bare bottoms I wouldn't get the fish... Just a look thing. People buy with their eyes first

[NYgiantsRP]

Originally Posted by IShallNtEatFish

Personally if I went to a store with bare bottoms I wouldn't get the fish... Just a look thing. People buy with their eyes first

Really? Even if the stocked looked good, the prices were good, the workers helped you out, and they had unique stock?