"Pro" newbies

[parrotchute]

Maybe this is a rant that deserves to go off topic, but I must say it -
Why do I keep running into people (in person, not here on the forum) who have reef systems and keep telling me all their advice - and then I learn they have a 60 gallon reef tank with 2 yellow tangs, a puffer, "filter clams", and a queen conch. Or something else that reveals they don't do their homework. I recognize that I'm a newbie and try extra hard to research everything...just annoys me when these people keep giving me advice when they apparently have no desire to actually learn about the hobby!!


:frustrat:

 

[cthegame]

they are wasting their own money.

 

[parrotchute]

yeah...the thing that kills me is they're always telling me what I "need" to get and 9/10 times it's something gimmecky or whatnot. I'm glad I have you guys & books to help steer me in the right direction!

 

[stagofdoom]

We are here to help.

Some times I hang out at the LFS and chat with the guys there. One time I walked in and this lady was treating the dude that worked there like he was a moron, telling him all this stuff that they have to do and stuff. Thats what I hate.

 

[yote]

Try working in a LFS sometime.
I've had customers,CUSTOMERS, tell me that a Naso tang would live a long and healthy life in a 20gal.Or some BS like,You've got to add this chemical so much a week,and that chemical every day,and you dont need to test anything.
Thats where I usually just laugh and walk off to find somebody that actually needs some help.

 

[stagofdoom]

Try working in a LFS sometime.
I've had customers,CUSTOMERS, tell me that a Naso tang would live a long and healthy life in a 20gal.Or some BS like,You've got to add this chemical so much a week,and that chemical every day,and you dont need to test anything.
Thats where I usually just laugh and walk off to find somebody that actually needs some help.

I hate that so much. I mean your working there dont you think you should know about what your doing.

I would get fired because I would tell people they are morons for thinking that.
I also hate fish stores that sell you it and dont care about anything other than getting the sale.

 

[yote]

Thats the difference between a good LFS and just a LFS Stag.The owner will treat smart asses the exact same way.If they already know it all,we cant help them.But we CAN refuse to sale to em.

 

[Rushy]

I hate that so much. I mean your working there dont you think you should know about what your doing.

I would get fired because I would tell people they are morons for thinking that.
I also hate fish stores that sell you it and dont care about anything other than getting the sale.

I had fun in my LFS last weekend, don't think they were very happy with me, because I cost them a complete set up sale! A couple had pretty much bought the tank and everything, and had been convinced that they would be able to have as many fish in their 20g as there were in the one of the display tanks, and were gushing over tangs. After I told them that they would only be able to have 2 maybe 3 in a 20g and would need at least 100g for the tangs, they got a little disgruntled and left! Oops :mrgreen:

 

[cthegame]

I had fun in my LFS last weekend, don't think they were very happy with me, because I cost them a complete set up sale! A couple had pretty much bought the tank and everything, and had been convinced that they would be able to have as many fish in their 20g as there were in the one of the display tanks, and were gushing over tangs. After I told them that they would only be able to have 2 maybe 3 in a 20g and would need at least 100g for the tangs, they got a little disgruntled and left! Oops :mrgreen:

Good job.

 

[parrotchute]

I had fun in my LFS last weekend, don't think they were very happy with me, because I cost them a complete set up sale! A couple had pretty much bought the tank and everything, and had been convinced that they would be able to have as many fish in their 20g as there were in the one of the display tanks, and were gushing over tangs. After I told them that they would only be able to have 2 maybe 3 in a 20g and would need at least 100g for the tangs, they got a little disgruntled and left! Oops :mrgreen:

Awesome!!

 

[SeattleDarko]

I will say we have some store in the area that its amazing they are still around. I am very new and I will be the first to admit that but I do enjoy talking to people and gathering more information but at some LFS I feel like I am talking to a used car salesmen. I have been given the same advice about how many fish you can have and what types I just shook my head and thought ok I can stop listening now because they don't know what they are talking about other then they want my $$.

 

[Rushy]

Awesome!!

It's alright, I blamed Livingreefs!!! :mrgreen:

 

[cthegame]

this forum is the collective minds & experience of people all around the world. It just cant be compared to the advice one or two LFS' would give. I think all LFS; should have computers in their stores and be active members on this forum. :D

 

[Rushy]

this forum is the collective minds & experience of people all around the world. It just cant be compared to the advice one or two LFS' would give. I think all LFS; should have computers in their stores and be active members on this forum. :D

This forum without a doubt, has enabled me to be fairly confident when I go into my LFS in helping me know what I want, and what I need, and I couldn't be more thankful of the pointers and advice I have been given. It's fantastic that there is unconditional support, whether that be technical knowledge or just a compliment, the guys on here have made the starting of this hobby not just worthwhile but very rewarding! Thanks guys!! :bowdown:

 

[messiah023]

Well, I don't want to ruin anyone's party here, but I have to say that the 3 LFS in my area are very knowledgeable. Of course, they always want to sell something, but for the most part, if you show them that you have some basic knowledge and have done some homework, they are very accommodating and helpful.
I am daring to even go out on a limb here and say that the PETCO employees in the fish department are also fairly good.

I would say that if you are interested in ANY hobby and go to a shop blind, you are bound to be taken. You wouldn't go to a dealership without doing a little research on the car you are buying would you? You wouldn't buy a dog without some basic knowledge of what it takes to keep one..

I had to throw a little support out to the LFS you know!
:-)

 

[lightcs4]

Wise words, Messiah. I wouldn't go to a car dealership without spending a significant amount of time researching the vehicles I might consider buying. Why would I just walk into a LFS without doing a bit of research as well? I'm not as worried about someone being taken as much as the fact that some stressed out creature is going to slowly die for no reason. I'm not a huge environmentalist type, but I do feel we should be responsible with our decisions.

 

[Rushy]

Well, I don't want to ruin anyone's party here, but I have to say that the 3 LFS in my area are very knowledgeable. Of course, they always want to sell something, but for the most part, if you show them that you have some basic knowledge and have done some homework, they are very accommodating and helpful.
I am daring to even go out on a limb here and say that the PETCO employees in the fish department are also fairly good.

I would say that if you are interested in ANY hobby and go to a shop blind, you are bound to be taken. You wouldn't go to a dealership without doing a little research on the car you are buying would you? You wouldn't buy a dog without some basic knowledge of what it takes to keep one..

I had to throw a little support out to the LFS you know!
:-)

Wise words, Messiah. I wouldn't go to a car dealership without spending a significant amount of time researching the vehicles I might consider buying. Why would I just walk into a LFS without doing a bit of research as well? I'm not as worried about someone being taken as much as the fact that some stressed out creature is going to slowly die for no reason. I'm not a huge environmentalist type, but I do feel we should be responsible with our decisions.

Hi guys, I think the emphasis should always be on the individual to educate themselves if they are serious about a subject or product. However, I also know that it should be the responsibility of the expert to educate its client. Sadly though the majority of people that venture upon the LFS are probably out to buy something on a whim and are probably relatively ignorant and their only due consideration is to think I must have, and do so without considering or ultimately knowing the consequences. Now on the whole I have been quite lucky, the support and advice I have had from my LFS has been pretty good, and coupled with the advice from here and the reading I've done, has allowed me to buy or choose with confidence. However, they are a business (quite a large chain here in the UK) not a specialist expert and therefore I expect they probably sell without consideration unless you ask the questions, once they know the situation then I do know that the advice is forthcoming and then they make a decision about whether they sell or not, and do give good advice. Therefore for me whilst I'm very happy with my LFS I do know it's only as a result of what I've learnt from here, that has facilitated that relationship with them, and enabled me to make relatively good decisions.

 

[C24IaHawks1]

I had my local fish store telling me not to put sand in my tank, because it makes it harder to maintain. So i ask on here about sand, and most replied that sand is better. I have noticed that my tank stays more stable with parameters with the sand. But the same LFS sold my a current extreme pro light and after 2 weeks two of the bulbs stopped working. I called the store and they had me bring it in and replaced it with a new one.

 

[messiah023]

C24,

There is much debate about the whole sand/no sand issue.
Many people have kept bare-bottom tanks successfully.
If you read any of the "other" forums, you will always find a good debate on this subject.
At the end of the day, we are all on a learning process. Look how many methods of reefkeeping there has been in the last 30 years....

Personally, I go with the sand bottom....but I have seen many bare-bottoms that have great parameters and are thriving.

 

[Alexander]

Messiah is quite correct. Bare bottom tanks are really easy to suck detritus out of, but I don't think I will ever run my tanks bare bottom. Its a very large debate and I think boils down to preference and what exactly you are planning to keep in your tank.

I must say I am very greatful. I now have only 1 LFS. There were 3 in my city. Now just one. One was very old school and one was just not knowledgable. Both shut down. My current lfs that has been around longer than all the come and go stores is great. They are very knowledgable and are in the best interest of their customers. Like one time I went in to buy some chromis and he told be he bought some from a different supplier whom he will never use again and they came in in really poor shape. He advised that I actually not buy any from him until he got a different shipment. He is small and doesn't have a ton on hand but is always cool about ordering anything he doesn't have and doesn't fight over warranty issues.