Heard at my LFS Today

[jayfromfla]

Went in to a new LFS today to look around. I am still quite a way off from actually starting anything so I am just snooping around.

The store owner introduced himself as he was feeding his systems. During the small talk... I told him that I had a tank 20 years ago.

His first comment was - "Things have changed so much since then (from my reading here an else where - seems true enough)....it is all so simple now.....no more cycling of the tank (oh really?).... and you can bring the tank home, fill it up and stock it the same day (hmmmm).

Should I find another LFS?

 

[Toddrtrex]

I would suggest finding a new one.

Sure things have changed, but some have stayed the same --- patience is still the key.

 

[turretdr]

It still amazes me how someone can be all about the initial sale instead of the repeat business.

 

[snorvich]

Yes, it is very sad. Of course that type of owner will not be in business long. In any case, a different LFS would be in order. NOTHING good happens quickly in this hobby.

 

[Gtstricky]

I am feeling nice today. I say give him another shot. Economy sucks and he still has to pay his bills. He sounds a little desperate.

 

[scottwhitson]

In my opinion it could be possible. If the LFS is selling you fully cured live rock and you live within a short distance of the fish store than you can set your tank up in one day. I know that this isn't the greatest advice but it can work and has been done. I am going to be setting up my 40 breeder in a day, with cured rock of course. The rock will not be out of the water long enough for mcuh die off. Again not the best advice but it can be done. I would give the store another shot.

 

[hamiltonguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14750010#post14750010 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scottwhitson
In my opinion it could be possible. If the LFS is selling you fully cured live rock and you live within a short distance of the fish store than you can set your tank up in one day. I know that this isn't the greatest advice but it can work and has been done. I am going to be setting up my 40 breeder in a day, with cured rock of course. The rock will not be out of the water long enough for mcuh die off. Again not the best advice but it can be done. I would give the store another shot.

It can be done if you're basically transferring rock and sand from established tank to establish a new one. Also, I doubt it can be done successfully (i.e. without the loss of any livestock). However, if the new tank is a much larger size, the increased amount of liverock needed will still need to cycle properly. Albeit it may not take as long (probably a week) but I still don't think it can be done in a way. And now for some tough love, if one doesn't have the patience to start up a reef tank I think it's time to not only find a different LFS but possibly another hobby, just my opinion. I don't have as much experience as other people but this one principle is the basis to this hobby. (Not directed at anyone in particular, just what my .02).

 

[Freed]

2,3 weeks down the road when your fish start dying they'll look at you kinda weird and tell you that YOU did something wrong and that they have some great stuff to sell you again.

 

[davewbush]

IMO read what you can and get as much info as you can. Take your time setting up your tank the way you feel it should be done. If the LFS has good prices and nice peaces, use him again. Just get your info from some where else.

 

[jayfromfla]

Thanks - I intend to take my time - sponge all I can off of this and other forums and see if I want to give it a try again.

Still have two in college (few excess $), so I have a have some time to plan and learn before I dive back in.

 

[cubsFAN]

You should have called him out.

 

[candeewolf]

I agree with others in this thread: if adding established water, cured rock and sand from an established tank and you transfer it quickly (matter of 5-10 minutes out of water), you will still have most of the bacteria and organisms that you are going for in cycling a tank. That LFS owner however didn't seem to be saying anything of the sort about that. Taking into account what you told him about your recent inexperience in the hobby, its logical to say that he was trying to make a quick sale at the expense of your pocketbook.

 

[VacavilleFC3S]

wow i wouldn't trust any of you, don't take short cuts it there will only be more problems down the road,

 

[Fazulka]

The advice from the LFS is not good, but I do think you can have a shorter cycle with fully cycled rock. Don't put any livestock until you cycle has passed, even if the cycle is a small one. It should still have some cycle you can see using test kits, but if the rock is fully cured it should be smaller and shorter.

Don't stock fish all at once even after the cycle has passed.

 

[thegrun]

There is a LFS that can do just that, set a tank up in a day with stock. The store sprang out of a well established tank maintenance company (in business for 20 years). They maintain large tanks in their warehouse with fully cured rock and sand. When they set up a tank in a doctor’s office or wherever, the customers do not want to wait a month for stock, so his business had to set up these large holding tanks to stay in business. He can now offer the same service to customers who cannot wait for a cycle. He uses hardy fish to begin a tank and rarely has anything die.

 

[Johnny U]

Patience is definitely the key, I'm finding out. I've been in the hobby for a month now and I'm gettting acclimated to being more and more patient.

I have a 125 G tank that until recently was barren of live rock. I take my water into the store to get checked and was given the thumbs up to begin adding very small amounts of live rock at a time (<5 lbs). I buy it there, take a quick 5 minute drive back home, and drop it straight in my tank with minimal (if any) die off.

I am so excited to see my tank full and flurishing but have come to terms that it will take time and only be accomplished through baby steps. I admit that when I bring my water in to be tested it's disapointing when the guy at the LFS does his thing, looks up from the test tubes, sucks on his teeth and shakes his head, "not yet." but I'd rather slow down and make sure I don't mess anything up than have something die.

It would've been easy for them to suck every penny out of me in order to make the biggest initial sale because I am still very ignorant when it comes to how to care for my tank in the long run. I feel very fortunate that my LFS is trustworthy, easy to talk to, and seems as interested at seeing my tank succeed as I am. Maybe I'm spoiled now but I would not trust your LFS and would look for a new one that seems more interested in your success than your money.

 

[187ALLDAY]

There are better addatives to cycle your tank faster but not good enough that you can fill with livestock the same day.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14752723#post14752723 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Johnny U
Patience is definitely the key, I'm finding out. I've been in the hobby for a month now and I'm gettting acclimated to being more and more patient.

Kent makes a supplement for that.

 

[eyesinthedrk]

i say no, i wouldnt run on any one persons advice, thats whats great about reef central and my local reef club, its a consensious of opinion that should be taken into account,

my LFS has advised against a few things id like to do, including using NSW, how ever since redoing his tank after hurricane gustov and ike killed everything, he has lost an achalies tang, a clown tang, a ferry wrass and a few others,

his food and suppliments are about the same price as online distributers plus shipping, the only fish ive lost in the first year was the one i didnt buy from him so i have no reason to boycot the store

hope that helps

 

[jnb]

It is doable but certain rules have to be followed and I would never tell someone that it can be done without at least a brief outline on how.

I moved my reef 5 miles a few years ago without any mishap.