crzyb1080

DING DING let the argument begin. (nvm... LFS got knocked out in the first)

So I went to my LFS to pick up some SC+ and maybe check out a cave (Lucy's idea) and man does the cave finish the tank. Thanks Lucy! I'll post pics as soon as I can. I have statistics homework in a bit

Anyway while I was there, I figured heck why not ask the people working about my problem with my ammonia not dropping. It couldn't hurt right? So as I was talking to this fish department employee who said I should use some ammonia decreaser, because... "at 4ppm ammonia really isn't that harmful to the fish". She had no idea why I was using ammonia instead of some Zyme or some other product. I also told her I was planning on doing a large water change (I said 50%) when my fishless cycle was done. She told me to never do more than 25%. At this point, I became a little skeptical.

She then asked what kind of testing product I used. I pointed to the API master test kit on the shelf and she was like "ohhh those are fancy, but I don't know how good those tests are" and I replied "you mean how accurate they are?" haha. Now at this point I literally rolled my eyes while she wasn't looking. She also suggested I bring in a water sample for them to test. I'm like oh cool, expert test? No, she brought me over their maintenance bench and busted out some test strips.

Needless to say, although I have never met any of you, I will trust your advice/knowledge over any LPS/LFS employee.

Nice story right? Heres a thought:

In another one of my threads I mentioned my water being kinda cloudy. After looking at products in the fish department, I realize that I had forgotten to wash my substrate! So I busted out my python cleaner and did a small water change making sure to get the dust.

Topped the water off, added SC+, tested ammonia - .5ppm, added 4 ml of ammonia - 4 PPM. So we'll see how it goes.

Lucy

Can't wait to see pics! Your future fishies will love a cave

Oh wow.....that's about all I can say about that!
I hope this woman doesn't have fish!

Any sign of nitrites yet?

kimb

Thank goodness we have the magic of internet! As a point of interest, my fish guy gives out the name of Fishlore to new fish ownership who are looking for additional info about fishkeeping (I have converted him). Hope your nitrites show up soon!

Nate McFin

Thanks for reminding me why I have to drive to a different town to buy anything for my tank. My LFS is just like that. YIKES!~
Welcome to fishlore btw!

crzyb1080

hey all check out my tanks new setup! I added the cave thanks lucy!

bolivianbaby

That looks great!

treve

great looking tank well done

MissMTS

Nice tank! I'm glad to hear that you are not listening to your LFS. They sound like they have no idea what they are talking about.

carlos413

I trust fish lore to the fullest. I would not take advice from moust lfs. How ever I lisen to one... Exotic fish & pet Southampton MA. They are fish Lore junkies too. Lol

proudmomoftwins

awsome set up, I have the same exact cave for my fish and they love it!! Your tank set up doesn't look much different from mine, great job!

Sharkitty

Yeah, I was at my "reputable" LFS the other day - the owner has a PhD in fish -and he was selling a minibow 2.5 and suggesting two or three little swimmers with zero mention of cycling, ammonia, etc. I *almost* butted in, but bit my tongue. He's a crabby old man and I didn't want a lashing. He did at least discourage fish bowls, and told them the 2.5 was not big enough for a gold fish.

xero2099

the only lfs near me are petsmart and petco so i look here for and info i may need

Craig-D

You have to be careful in who you choose to do business with. The national chains employ people making near minimun wage who know little about the animals they sell. My LFS staff consists of four full-time personnel with bachelor degrees in Marine Sciences or Freshwater Fisheries Management, three full-timers with at least six years experience in aquarium keeping and husbandry, and approximately 12 part-time employees, mostly students studying biology or the aquatic sciences. They keep written records of all maintenance on all their tanks. Their new arrivals are on display in marked quarantine tanks but are not for sale until the quarantine period is over. These people take better care of their fish than most of us do. I won't buy fish anywhere else.

Butters76

Yeah, at my local pet store, there is one dude who really know his fish (the owner), however his other employees know nothing about fish and he is only there like twice a week as his has another pet store and kennel in the neighbour town. So he is mostly there.

I don't even bother asking the other employees about fish anymore, but put the owner through a 3rd degree interegation when he's there