LFS water quality

[Zirco]

I just bought a couple of snails at my LFS. Just out of curiousity I tested the water they came in. It tested at 250 ppm for nitrates and 3.0 ppm for phosphates. Is that normal for a fish store or should I be concerned about buying stuff from them?

 

[thegrun]

I would certainly have concerns about purchasing water from them. Hard to say about livestock, but definitely look elsewhere if you are buying water. Another good reason to get a good RO/DI unit and make your own water.

 

[Zirco]

I would certainly have concerns about purchasing water from them. Hard to say about livestock, but definitely look elsewhere if you are buying water.

The water was the water from the tank the snails were in (along with some fish and corals). My concern is about buying livestock from them as I do have an RO/DI unit for my water.

 

[homer1475]

Well since your not adding the LFS's water to your tank, and assuming you follow proper quarantine procedures, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Bogue Chitto]

Some LFS do not keep up with their parameters like we do. Also some of their help do not do what the should to maintain healthy tanks. That is one of the reasons a lot of people have trouble getting healthy fish from them. You put them in the right water and they can't take it.

 

[kmbyrnes]

If the livestock are healthy and you properly acclimate/quarantine, it shouldn't matter.
Remember as well that nitrates and phosphates are not as big an issue for fish and inverts.

 

[heathlindner25]

If one of those snails "pooped" your test results are useless

 

[sde1500]

Yea I'd hesitate to trust the test from the bag of water. Small volume with something living in it, wouldn't take much to make the levels go haywire.

 

[e048]

If it was bag water then consider it useless most animals stress and will release stuff into the bag and they'll jack up your results

If you want to go to the lfs and ask for a small empty bag and some water if they're not shady they shouldn't have a problem giving you that

 

[Zirco]

If one of those snails "pooped" your test results are useless

Small volume with something living in it, wouldn't take much to make the levels go haywire

consider it useless most animals stress and will release stuff into the bag and they'll jack up your results

Ah, this makes sense. Thanks.