LFS no good

[splix]

It's too bad that my LFS isnt that great either. I had full intentions of buying everything from them since I'm just now starting a new 155 gal. They hardly ever have anything in stock (hardware). They do have a guy that is very knowledgeable on reef tanks which is good. I'm someone that likes to help small local businesses and their my first stop when looking for something specific.
My case in point:
Went in there to buy a refugium/sump, protein skimmer, return pump, and most of the hardware to go along with it. They had to order the refugium/sump because they didnt have anything big enough for my tank, ok no problem I understand. They tried to sell me a skimmer that was too small and I went with the larger one. They only had AC return pumps and a 900 GPH one for around $200. I remember seeing an Apex ready DC 1500 gph pump on BRS for the same price. I asked if they had any DC pumps because I'm eventually going with an Apex, they couldnt understand why I would do that so I didnt buy a pump from them.
They only had 1 type of live rock, 1 type of sand, 1 type of salt. None of which I wanted. Their live rock was expensive as well. Like $6/lb for non-fiji stuff. I think fiji rock was like $8/lb.

went in a week later to get some lock-line for my return. They didnt have any. ugh...really. Ok. It's now apparent that I cannot setup a reef with you guys. I ended up buying around $2k from BRS. Their loss.

They do have a lot of live stock that looks in good health so I'll probably buy a lot of that from them.

 

[FishN00b83]

They only had AC return pumps and a 900 GPH one for around $200. I remember seeing an Apex ready DC 1500 gph pump on BRS for the same price. I asked if they had any DC pumps because I'm eventually going with an Apex, they couldnt understand why I would do that so I didnt buy a pump

It's funny you mentioned the DC pump. I don't understand why DC pumps are such a big deal. I think the marketing on them has been amazing to get people to buy them. I just don't see any benefit in controlling the gph especially ramping up and down. That would drive your ato floats crazy if the level drops and rises again. Also your skimmer can only handle a certain gph, why flow more water through your sump than what your skimmer can handle? Idk I have a hard time wrapping my head around this whole thing...end rant!

 

[ca1ore]

funny comments, what would everyone do without LFS?

FWIW, I could absolutely have bought and now keep up my tank without a LFS. I do frequent one or two; not because I have to but because I want to. Cannot recall the last time I had an 'emergency' that I had either not planned for or couldn't wait the two days for an amazon prime shipment.

 

[ca1ore]

It's funny you mentioned the DC pump. I don't understand why DC pumps are such a big deal. I think the marketing on them has been amazing to get people to buy them.

We're all 'victims' of marketing on some level. Absent refuting hard data, people will believe just about anything. DC pumps are new, so clearly they must be 'better'. And, frankly, on the surface they do appear to be a good deal - and who doesn't want a good deal. Also consider that the mean time for most folks in the hobby is a few years, and you get what you get.

 

[CoralBeauty13]

How is this incorrect information?

What are you thinking you were supposed to do?

Oh, I don't know,....how about tell me that what I researched could hold some merit. But NO, shoot it down and say,"Everyone has different opinions and you'll read too much into it, ...really you don't have to do anything".

The little guy didn't make it, I go back today and she says..."Yes, Those little guys are hard to take care of that small, they are so fragile and that is why I don't do clams"!!!

WTH. I took her advice as she proclaims to have all this expertise but yet, somehow in the mix of things forget to tell me how fragile they are when that small. I did my research and took what I read into full effect when I saw it wasn't making it, like feeding planktonic foods. Nothing heavy, just spritz some near it. If I don't have heavy enough load to put nutrients in the water, there would be nothing to feed, so slowly do supplemental feeding will help.

I do know what I could have or should have done...but I followed her advice and lost.

Thanks for wanting to know " what I think I should have done" !

 

[JammyBirch]

I do know what I could have or should have done...but I followed her advice and lost.

Thanks for wanting to know " what I think I should have done" !

Whoa ... If we all get this mad about loss in our tanks we'd never buy anything. Somethings don't make it and have no reasons associated with "why". Try keeping SPS corals, they can be great for years and the RTN in a matter of days for now reason. It happens, it's not the LFS fault, is the point. There are no guarantees in this hobby for sure.

 

[Bgcoop8784]

I know I'm bringing up a dead post, but I hate to see stuff like this. There really is only one LFS in the Augusta GA area, and I'm in there a lot and do a good bit of business with them. The one thing I can say, is if someone in the store actually said this, they didn't work there. The only people in the store that actually give advice or sell out of the marine side of the store actually know what they are doing and have multiple personal reef tanks. I've been in the store and heard them tell multiple new people how to set up tanks and how to cycle and test tanks, never once have i heard anyone say to buy fish with a brand new tank, and normally ask them to bring in water to be tested before buying livestock. Once again, sorry to bring up an old post, but we actually do have a good lfs and good people running it, don't want someone to find this thread and be convinced not to go into the store. Now if this member is referring to the local petco instead of the LFS, i have no knowledge of the information they could have been given.

 

[rjjr1963]

I have a few test questions for any of the employee's I don't know. The owner should give some training and employees should know the correct answers to some basic questions. I like having a LFS to browse new equipment and livestock. I belong to a reef club and get a 10% discount which covers the cost of sales taxes locally that you don't have to pay when ordering online. Sorta evens the playing field.