O st's fish only tanks, BE extra CAREFUL

[funman1]

This is just an FYI to people who buy stuff from O st (and anywhere for that matter).

I bought a fish there today at O st, and brought it home.
Normally I don't check what the salinity is for the store water, I just float and slowly add tank water to the bag for 20 mins or so, and then drain all the water from the bag into the sink, and release the fish.

Anyways I measured the salinity of the water in the bag and it was 1.016
At first I thought this was a mistake, so I called them and asked what they run their fish only tanks at, and was told they keep them at 1.018. (which can be normal for fish only tanks)

My tank runs 1.025 (reef) So I had to take extra precautions to acclimate it MUCH slower than ususal.

Just an FYI for other who don't usually test their new arivals water.

It's not a bad thing on O st or anything, just letting people know that there is a big diff in salinity, and if you are adding a fish to your reef be extra careful.

I will now always test new arivals water (1.016 to 1.025 is a HUGE jump)..
Yikes..

~Steve~

 

[maxdout]

good to know steve. btw what did u pickup?

 

[funman1]

Long nose hawk, but the current one in the tank is beating up on it!?!?!

They are suposed to like companionship

 

[RasBobre]

1.016 - 1.018 is an acceptable FO salinity level and yes it is a huge difference to 1.025.

Great recommendation to acclimate slowly, but every wholesaler, retailer and hobbyist should keep their fish only salinity at these lower therapeutic levels.

 

[shilo_1]

It is scary what high and low levels some stores keep their tanks at. I got two cleaner shrimp from Petco a few days ago and their tanks were at 1.032 !!! They normally arent that high, so I guess something must have been going on.

I must say, I think its important to ALWAYS compare before just adding anything.

 

[Jesus]

Keeping the salinity low helps itch in check.


jesus

 

[saltykelly]

I worked at petco and most employees don't know anything about fish whatsoever. When the aquatic specialist gets two days off in a row they can come back top some horrible problems. Always check salinity from petco. Their systems have a lot of evaporation, and I've seen salinity from 1.012 to 1.035. Not that Petco is the number one place aquarists shop.

 

[shilo_1]

"Not that Petco is the number one place aquarists shop."


I know, but you can't beat $14 for two large skunk cleaners.

 

[wombat2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7701050#post7701050 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RasBobre
1.016 - 1.018 is an acceptable FO salinity level and yes it is a huge difference to 1.025.

Great recommendation to acclimate slowly, but every wholesaler, retailer and hobbyist should keep their fish only salinity at these lower therapeutic levels.

And when you're doing a 25% WC on a thousand gallons of saltwater every month, it will save you some serious money.

 

[GreshamH]

There's other benifits as well Matt, but that is a HUGE incentive to keep the FO salinity a bit low

 

[lilleahseafreak]

on the note of you 2 long nosehawks fighting, my falco hawks beat eachother up for the first day together, one even clamped its mouth over the others. now they are such buds and hang out together. give them time.

 

[funman1]

No mine beat up the other so bad that when I took it into yourreef they were not even sure it would survive, so we are waiting till wed to see if he will live and if I get store credit.

It was really really bad, his whole tail fin was chewed off

 

[plankton]

Steve - normal for FO system. I'm sure you are also aware that many FO systems run copper as well. So, not only check the salinity to time how long your should drip acclimate your new fish, but make darn sure you NEVER dump that 'bag' water into your reef tank!

You might even want to consider setting up a QT tank to clean out the fish just in case it is carrying any parasites...

Scott

 

[funman1]

Yeah I know it was normal but just didn't expect it.
Yeah I know that you never dump the water in

 

[Sparkss]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7702906#post7702906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shilo_1
"Not that Petco is the number one place aquarists shop."


I know, but you can't beat $14 for two large skunk cleaners.

We have picked up a couple of fish from PetCo in the past, and all of them are either still with us and doing well, or have been migrated to a new home in someone elses tank (for various reasons) and are still doing well. Like you said, for certain fish/livestock it is just hard to beat their prices

But where did you get the shrimp ? The one near us doesn't carry any inverts (that I have ever seen). I know that they have a restricted livestock list (thankfully no mandarins, etc allowed).

 

[shilo_1]

Sparkss: The Petco here in Vacaville just recently upgraded their salt section - its almost the size of their freshwater section !
They carry....pretty much everything ! I've seen everything from the meanest little damsels to beautiful show quality angels, most inverts and even corals (although the corals aren't usually too good as they aren't under the best lighting.)

They have a really cool SW guy who seems to know his stuff that works most of the time, so I think that helps !

 

[Reefugee]

Like Shilo said - the Vacaville Petco actually does have a very nice SW selection (for a Petco). The tank also seems relatively well maintained. Corals are pricey, but the fish are very reasonable price. I like to go in it once in awhile to see what they have.