Is It Appropriate To Educate People In Public?

My opinion is...

If they ask for help/opinions, educate away!
That's a green light, right there!!

If you're randomly offering your wisdom/experience, that's kind of like telling someone how to raise their kids or something.

Otherwise, I mind my own I'm public settings.
After years of working in animal rescue and giving people facts and laboring over thoughtful responses (written and verbal), I just don't have the energy anymore to try to save the world.
They are still going to do what they want to, in the long run.
Very few ppl choose what is right, if it takes too much effort on their part.

 

Also, to the OP, your heart is in the right place, and if they were asking you further questions and engaging you, then they probably appreciate you!!
Esp since a Walmart employee was probably A.) nowhere to be found, and B.) not going to be very helpful in this area anyhow

 

Also, to the OP, your heart is in the right place, and if they were asking you further questions and engaging you, then they probably appreciate you!!
Esp since a Walmart employee was probably A.) nowhere to be found, and B.) not going to be very helpful in this area anyhow

I have worked at Walmart, and though we didn't have fish, I can vouch that most everyone there is not very helpful. The place sucks the soul out of you.

 

I have worked at Walmart, and though we didn't have fish, I can vouch that most everyone there is not very helpful. The place sucks the soul out of you.

I was a manager in retail for several years, at Target.
And while I don't have any real complaints about my employment with that company, I have to say that I think retail (in GENERAL) sucks the soul out of all who encounter it!!!

 

Not all are bad AL913! When I worked at Petco many moons ago, two of the managers were awesome! If I didn't think someone could handle buying a pet, they would back me up! We had a list of certain people that we were never ever to sell to! I had 2 teen boys added to the list when they wanted to buy a rat and shoot it off in a rocket! I only found out when they started to tell me more about what their plans were for the rat.

I know! I am actually a defender of some of the stores like Petco and Petsmart since the 2 Petco's near me are fantastic!

 

My opinion is...

If they ask for help/opinions, educate away!
That's a green light, right there!!

If you're randomly offering your wisdom/experience, that's kind of like telling someone how to raise their kids or something.

Otherwise, I mind my own I'm public settings.
After years of working in animal rescue and giving people facts and laboring over thoughtful responses (written and verbal), I just don't have the energy anymore to try to save the world.
They are still going to do what they want to, in the long run.
Very few ppl choose what is right, if it takes too much effort on their part.

It takes far more control NOT to tell people how to raise their kids lol.

 

It takes far more control NOT to tell people how to raise their kids lol.

Aaaaaaaaaaamen!! Lol

 

I got chewed out at Walmart once because I scooped out the 20+ dead fish.
The employee called them inventory that needed to be counted. I called it animal cruelty.

 

My opinion is...

If they ask for help/opinions, educate away!
That's a green light, right there!!

If you're randomly offering your wisdom/experience, that's kind of like telling someone how to raise their kids or something.

Otherwise, I mind my own I'm public settings.
After years of working in animal rescue and giving people facts and laboring over thoughtful responses (written and verbal), I just don't have the energy anymore to try to save the world.
They are still going to do what they want to, in the long run.
Very few ppl choose what is right, if it takes too much effort on their part.

I agree, people are going to do what they wanted to anyway. Maybe another route would have been to just offer up a guppy as a replacement for the goldfish. The rest is just unnecessary for a conversation at Walmart, and would just frustrate any beginner.

Here's one way to think about it. Say you're teaching a 7-year old kid math. They know how to add, and they want to know how to subtract. In an effort to show them how math works, you introduce calculus. The kid will either tell you to get lost or give up, they won't do calculus. Same thing here. They want to know how to keep 1 small fish. Show them how to do that, without giving them too much.

Everyone here probably had a crummy first tank, and didn't know everything, just like these people. Try to put yourself in their shoes.

 

My local Wal-Mart does have fish in it, over the last year the fish are much healthier do to the employee they have there. He actually takes care of the tanks and the fish. Although he has some limited knowledge about fish keeping he does ask me questions when I'm in the pet department. Last time I was there a couple had aquired an tank set it up and stocked it with fish. They didn't know why they lost most of the fish. I was asked to explain to them what had happened, and told them about the nitrogen cycle and this website so they can do some research. It would be nice if they didn't sell fish like Oscars, Common Plecos, and Bala Sharks. The customers really don't have a clue when they buy these fish how big they really get, the biggest tank I've seen in the store for years is a 30 gallon.

 

Walmart also sell pea puffers..........................

 

Today I had a customer in my car (I'm a taxI driver). She was telling me she had a goldfish in a bowl that she won from the fair. I was telling her to research the nitrogen cycle and to also get a proper tank as goldfish shouldn't really be in a bowl. Also told her not to empty out all the water when cleaning as of Bacteria. She seemed rather please I was telling her this stuff as she had no idea, she also mentioned about her little cousins goldfish dieing. Hopefully iv put a little knowledge forward to someone who will pass it on to others. So I think educating people is better than not

 

Teaching advanced fish keeping to a beginner is like trying to train a puppy to be a seeing eye dog and expecting it to work in an hour. My 13 year old son is now comfortable taking care of tanks on his own. After 13 years of learning. I've been at it for 40 years, and I'm still learning. Its hard to walk newbies thru there ABC's

 

Teaching advanced fish keeping to a beginner is like trying to train a puppy to be a seeing eye dog and expecting it to work in an hour. My 13 year old son is now comfortable taking care of tanks on his own. After 13 years of learning. I've been at it for 40 years, and I'm still learning. Its hard to walk newbies thru there ABC's

Agree, especially if the person is a full out beginner, hard to blast them with information of nitrogen cycle, stocking, diseases, procedures to cycle the tank, filter size etc, you would probably spend the whole day in the store! Plus they won't remember everything. Personally it took me a couple days/weeks to learn the nitrogen cycle and the different methods of cycling a tank However now I can easily explain it! The best thing is if you meet someone in a store who doesn't know much best to give them a skI'm of stuff and then tell them about Fishlore or tell them to go on to a forum before buying a fish! Many who come to a forum will put off buying the fish for a couple days or months once they find out all the stuff they need to know

 

You know what would be really great is if the companies that create the tanks put in information about the nitrogen cycle with each tank! Or if the LPS and LFS did that. Doing just that, I think would help a lot of people get started on the right foot.

 

You know what would be really great is if the companies that create the tanks put in information about the nitrogen cycle with each tank! Or if the LPS and LFS did that. Doing just that, I think would help a lot of people get started on the right foot.

Agree a little pamphlet titled" the nitrogen cycle for dummies" as long as its not too technical and easy to understand.

 

Honestly, I wish I had my own stores or the pet stores had a big book let about the nitrogen cycle and then how to cycle the aquarium. Then it also informed you about the different factors when stocking a tank. And then another page for basic care of plants. ETC. So many people would benefit however big chain pet stores are still out there to make money, although they have made small steps to improve, for example 2 days ago a family came in with no idea of caring for fish and picked up a 3 gallon cyclinder tank, they wanted glo fish for their really young daughter, the employee told them they need at least a 10 gallon( but better than the 3), she then told them they need to run their aquarium for 24 hours , however when they wanted to keep 2 bettas she told them they can only have one. Although when they were talking about the glo fish, the employee told them any of the glofish can go together

 

Honestly, I wish I had my own stores or the pet stores had a big book let about the nitrogen cycle and then how to cycle the aquarium. Then it also informed you about the different factors when stocking a tank. And then another page for basic care of plants. ETC. So many people would benefit however big chain pet stores are still out there to make money, although they have made small steps to improve, for example 2 days ago a family came in with no idea of caring for fish and picked up a 3 gallon cyclinder tank, they wanted glo fish for their really young daughter, the employee told them they need at least a 10 gallon( but better than the 3), she then told them they need to run their aquarium for 24 hours , however when they wanted to keep 2 bettas she told them they can only have one. Although when they were talking about the glo fish, the employee told them any of the glofish can go together

Danios and tetras are ok together (not in a 10 of course) ,but I'm not sure about tiger barbs and tetras tho.

 

The store I work actually has a packet called "How to start a fish tank". Goes over new tank syndrome and cycling a tank and even has a chart that shows were the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels are during the cycle. I hand it out when I can, but I feel like I'm the only, or one of the only ones to do so.

 

Hmmm....Once I get better, I may contact the company that made my fish tank and offer the suggestion to them about how helpful it would be if they just included some information about how to cycle a tank. Maybe I'll contact the corporate for Petco/Petsmart too. It never hurts to try!

 

Danios and tetras are ok together (not in a 10 of course) ,but I'm not sure about tiger barbs and tetras tho.

She meant that the glofish are schooling fish and any ones on the rack can make a school thus the danio, tetra, and barb are the same

 

She meant that the glofish are schooling fish and any ones on the rack can make a school thus the danio, tetra, and barb are the same

Oh ok I got you now.lol. I laughed when the pet store guy said you need a black light for them or they'll be stressed. SMH

 

You know what would be really great is if the companies that create the tanks put in information about the nitrogen cycle with each tank!

When I got my 5 gallon Marina kit that I use as a QT now, it did have a booklet and had cycling information in it. It wasn't extremely detailed, though, but there was some information. The kit also came with a bottle of Fluval Biological Enhancer, which is like a TSS+. I followed the directions and used it, and did not have fish loss so it must've worked.

The funny thing is, though, that the 5 gallon kit of course showed pictures of gouramis and goldfish for it! And it also mentioned the "1 inch per gallon" rule!

 

Maybe just a big sign by the tanks that says, "Is your tank cycled?"
A lot of people buy fish and tanks in impulse (myself included) and by the time they get home and open the tank box, it's too late! 3 bettas later, in cycling 4 tanks with a new one to arrive today to replace a betta tank that's too small. This site is a wonderful resource, but if someone knowledgeable had been in Walmart when my son was picking fish for his uncycled 6.5, I would have loved the advice! We had had the tank set up for a few days (no idea about the cycle, but thought I needed to filter the water for a few days, at least one step in the right direction), but out of ignorance bought all the wrong fish, and too many at that. Amazing we didn't lose more faster! Most lasted till the first water change 3 weeks () later, then died all of a sudden. That's when I found this forum. It's now my new Facebook !
If you see someone who doesn't seem to know what they are doing, offer a kind suggestion ("If you like that kind of fish, they will be happiest in ___ environment with these buddies") If they ask, answer, if not, you did your part. And always say something about the cycle, even if it's just about googling it before they add fish.

 

It's now my new Facebook
!

I like that. I'm not on Facebook, but I have told people I am on this forum and said "It's like a Fish Facebook!"

 

Maybe just a big sign by the tanks that says, "Is your tank cycled?"
A lot of people buy fish and tanks in impulse (myself included) and by the time they get home and open the tank box, it's too late! 3 bettas later, in cycling 4 tanks with a new one to arrive today to replace a betta tank that's too small. This site is a wonderful resource, but if someone knowledgeable had been in Walmart when my son was picking fish for his uncycled 6.5, I would have loved the advice! We had had the tank set up for a few days (no idea about the cycle, but thought I needed to filter the water for a few days, at least one step in the right direction), but out of ignorance bought all the wrong fish, and too many at that. Amazing we didn't lose more faster! Most lasted till the first water change 3 weeks () later, then died all of a sudden. That's when I found this forum. It's now my new Facebook !
If you see someone who doesn't seem to know what they are doing, offer a kind suggestion ("If you like that kind of fish, they will be happiest in ___ environment with these buddies") If they ask, answer, if not, you did your part. And always say something about the cycle, even if it's just about googling it before they add fish.

Well said.

 

Personally if they wanted a fish I would suggest some fish that SHOULD go in a 5 gal, or whatever tank and if they didn't want those I could say some fish that COULD go in their tank. I would jjst tell them to grab a bottle of TSS and seachem prime or aquasafe, go home, set up their tank, add the TSS and add the fish. Then just take out some water and put new water in. I would also suggest doing some research and hopefully they would get interested and do it right.

I myself got a 5 gallon one christmas and I threw like 10 ml of tss in there and threw in 4 poor glofish tetras. I still feel bad. But that got me started in the hobby!

 

However, sometimes the pet store employees don't understand the word "cycle", if you ask them they will tell you to just run the tank for a day or if luck a week before adding fish . I don't understand why they aren't taught, since technically, during the process of cycling a tank the fish store can make money so it's a win win. If I was an employee, I would tell the beginner that they need a bottle of BB, a API master test kit, and depending on size of tank a hardy fish as the ammonia source then they can come back in a week or 2 when their tank is cycled(0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and <20ppm of nitrate). I would also tell them plants are beneficial to lower nitrates. Thus if they already had their tank setup I would have earn the store about $30-40 more!

 

However, sometimes the pet store employees don't understand the word "cycle", if you ask them they will tell you to just run the tank for a day or if luck a week before adding fish . I don't understand why they aren't taught, since technically, during the process of cycling a tank the fish store can make money so it's a win win. If I was an employee, I would tell the beginner that they need a bottle of BB, a API master test kit, and depending on size of tank a hardy fish as the ammonia source then they can come back in a week or 2 when their tank is cycled(0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and <20ppm of nitrate). I would also tell them plants are beneficial to lower nitrates. Thus if they already had their tank setup I would have earn the store about $30-40 more!

If I didn't know any better, I would have thought you were trying to sucker me into spending more. Just telling the truth.

 

If I didn't know any better, I would have thought you were trying to sucker me into spending more. Just telling the truth.

See, exactly! There are many people who will go to the fish store pick up a kit and sometimes even get fish the same day. They then ask the employee of how to care for it , and they will basically buy any necessity! I wish employees would include a bottle of BB and a test kit with them that way at least if they are stubborn about getting fish the bottle of BB will be able to lessen the ammonia.

 

Unfortunately, pet employees can be idiots. Like my manager. And my assistant manager, she's a sweetheart and I love working with her, but she doesn't know much either. I was on lunch and come back to find two 3-3.5 in Oscars, two 3.5-4 in jeweled chiclids, and a eight inch pleco already bagged up. They got even more. They had a 38 that had been running empty for two weeks. She just didn't know any better.
I always recommend a bottle of BB. My store doesn't sell the small bottles of Quick Start and a lot of people get sticker shock. But hey, I'm that person who's brutally honest on the effectiveness of the generic HOB and that it's often cheaper to build your own.
I'm not a corporate lackey, I don't care about selling you products to fix your problems you don't need. (Algae fix? Just use a new sponge or algae pad)

We do free water testing, so I suggest bringing a water sample back later to see where there at and get one or two fish to cycle.
I also advise lots of water changes. I do 40-50% weekly. Granted I have a 10 and 15 on my dresser and desk so it's simple to grab the five gallon bucket out of bathroom and just do it before I go to bed on the weekend.


It's frustrating when your superiors know less than you do. We have some very sick looking fish, Paradise Goraumis sitting on the bottom, Mollys gasping for air. He told us to use Buffermax, I think he thought it was a medicine. Our Dwarf and Sunset Gouramis look like they are covering in grey slime, and some have internal swelling. He won't treat either system again, because it's our fish sale and the one system was under treatment for a few months.

God, that was long. Please forgive my awful spelling

 

Unfortunately, pet employees can be idiots. Like my manager. And my assistant manager, she's a sweetheart and I love working with her, but she doesn't know much either. They had a 38 that had been running empty for two weeks. She just didn't know any better.
I always recommend a bottle of BB. My store doesn't sell the small bottles of Quick Start and a lot of people get sticker shock. But hey, I'm that person who's brutally honest on the effectiveness of the generic HOB and that it's often cheaper to build your own.
I'm not a corporate lackey, I don't care about selling you products to fix your problems you don't need. (Algae fix? Just use a new sponge or algae pad)

It's frustrating when your superiors know less than you do. We have some very sick looking fish, Paradise Goraumis sitting on the bottom, Mollys gasping for air. He told us to use Buffermax, I think he thought it was a medicine. He won't treat either system again, because it's our fish sale and the one system was under treatment for a few months.

Why can't people like you and many of the educated hobbyist be the ones owning the pet/fish store? Althogh there are some local fish store that have caring and knowledgeable employee and manager, there aren't enough! Ex. King of DIY recent video of how he got his pearl stingray. His LFS gave him a pearl stingray, in which a customer had ordered but never picked up(2 months past), for free! Pearl stingrays are $800-1200 a piece yet they were willing to give it for free since they couldn't provide the necessary care and would rather see the ray live a good life

There are also people who were hobbyist and able to create a store. But there just ain't enough! The people who usually own them just want to make a profit and sell. Sometimes like in your case there is an employee who is knowlegable

 

Here's a recent story: I stopped by my LFS to purchase 5-6 ember tetras. Was about to seal the deal when this girl comes up and asks about my aquarium. I thought she was another customer, because I never seen her before. Of course, I was more than happy to tell her about it. I was very excited about stocking my newly cycled aquarium. I realized in 5 secs that she was an employee. It was her deadpan expression, seemingly suggesting she was world weary of newbies like myslef. The other employee who was about to get me the tetras backed off on catching and bagging after hearing her advising me about yada yada yada. He then did a 360 turnaround and suggested I wait until my aquarium matures before putting embers in there and brought me to some hardier fish, which I didn't want. I thougt they were too big. I was adamant in wanting to get what I want. Isn't the benefit of a cycled aquarium is to add fish of choice, afterall? I told him about my ammonia, nitrites and nitrates reading. I was truly confused. So, after some talking, I got 3 embers instead. I will be going back in a week or two, like he suggested, to get the others, as my tank matures. I was a little disapointed walking out of there with only 3. I could have gotten 5 if I wanted to and I almost told the guy to net me the actual amount I wanted and tell him everything's fine and not to worry, lol. Honestly, it must be this thread, making me more sensitive to how strongly people feel about fish, because thinking back, that was kind of out of character for me to compromise like that. Normally,I would have been quite irritated.

 

I think this thread has now run its course