"Nitrates dont matter for fish" - LFS Owner.

[SirLight1337]

I was in a LFS the other day, whos sumps all had bioballs in them. One of the people that worked there used the quick-dip strips and almost if not all of the fish display tanks, were in excess of 120+ PPM of nitrates, a few were in excess of 180 PPM. They have very little to no fish due to all of them " suddenly dying". One of the employees began to remove all the bioballs in exchage for liverock rubble. In the course of about 2 or 3 days time the systems that had been done came down to 20 PPM or lower ( before a water change ) After said event, the owner began yelling at the employee/employees saying that nitrate does not matter to fish and to put all the bioballs back in the sumps. Im still in shock and cant believe what i heard/saw. If nitrates dont matter, why ever do a water change, why ever bother with a protein skimmer ? ( none of the fish systems have skimmers anyway )

/rant.

 

[bennyinca]

Well I think there is some reason behind all that madness.

Tanks at a store will have very different equipment than the regular display tank at homes. They are serving 2 very different purposes.

From the LFS perspective, I would be more worried about the ammonia, which is where the bioballs play a vital role in their systems. Typically the store tanks have a large bioload, and the amount of live rock needed to keep up would have to be way too large IMO.

Also, the reason for them losing fish may extend to other things other than nitrate loads. The "nitrates dont matter to fish" may sound absurd, but there is <i> some </i> thruth to that. But I agree that readings in the 100's is way too high, they need more water changes.

 

[codybug]

Was this store located in Tustin?

 

[coralGoodie]

I think, IMO and experience, high nitrates would definitely affect the corals more than the fish livestocks. Also, I;m using bioballs in my built-in sump and has no problems with nitrates, ammmonia or nitrites (knock on wood!). MY corals are thriving and happy and so are my fish (coral beauty, 2 chromis and one perky). In fact, they grow and expand more than I expected. They're getting bigger everyday.

 

[SirLight1337]

yes but are your nitrates in excess of 180 PPM ?

Nitrates in that high of range with already stressed fish seems like trouble to me.


It seems like the trends in most stores is nothing for the fish to hide in/behind eaither.

 

[818]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7253136#post7253136 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coralGoodie
I think, IMO and experience, high nitrates would definitely affect the corals more than the fish livestocks. Also, I;m using bioballs in my built-in sump and has no problems with nitrates, ammmonia or nitrites (knock on wood!). MY corals are thriving and happy and so are my fish (coral beauty, 2 chromis and one perky). In fact, they grow and expand more than I expected. They're getting bigger everyday.

You have all relativley hardy fish, and Im assuming you have an all softy tank.

Id never think twice doing that with an SPS system.

LFS would make and save more money if half of them knew what they were doing.

 

[coralGoodie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7253572#post7253572 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by My F1sh R D34D!
You have all relativley hardy fish, and Im assuming you have an all softy tank.

Id never think twice doing that with an SPS system.

LFS would make and save more money if half of them knew what they were doing.

I have mixed hard and soft corals in my reef tank and everything is thriving. A guy from Jim's Exotic was amazed that I told him I only have a uniquarium and my corals are thriving and multiplying.

I agree. LFS should really take care of their livestocks. I know one LFS in Culver City that doesn't practice good fish keeping. Can you guess which one?

 

[818]

#1 Income for a LFS is the drygoods so if they are doing good there their straight.....

Livestock is only in my eyes bait to get the consumer into the store hopefully walking out with a fish calendar or something.

Though there are some LFS's that only have Livestock= Vivid Aquariums= Awesome quality livestock=higher prices and they have skimmers, maintanance,care like crazy and the people in there know what they are doing. 95% of VA is nothng but livestock, the fish in there were happy as hell.

 

[chalowolf]

Maybe the bioballs were too old. I know you have to replace them , not all at once though. Or just clean them a bit at a time.

 

[cxr133]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7253181#post7253181 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SirLight1337
yes but are your nitrates in excess of 180 PPM ?

Nitrates in that high of range with already stressed fish seems like trouble to me.


It seems like the trends in most stores is nothing for the fish to hide in/behind eaither.

my new tank nitrates are >100 right now and im trying to do weekly water changes to bring it down
but currently my fish appear to be doing fine
8 chromis
4 clarkii clowns
1 bar goby
1 sailfin tang

plus i have assorted mushrooms growing.
im worried and i am trying to get the nitrates down ..but right now my livestock dont appear to be stressed

 

[Sk8r]

Find a new lfs. Certainly do the full quarantine if this is your only option.