Quality observations at lfs

[LuizW13]

I went to my lfs yesterday afternoon to get some salt mix and food in preparation for cycling the tank. Obviously, i went for a couple of laps around the store to see what kind of live stock they provide to see if any were on my list. There were three things i noticed that i didn't like, and I was wondering if any of you guys have any input. First thing i noticed was there were a few Apstasias growing here and there in one of their frag tanks. There was a display tank that was infested with them! In a different display tank, i saw a frag plug layer on the bottom, and what appeared to be a sick clown. It has this weird white mucus on his face and was just swimming still. The last thing I noticed was that most of their display tank had a lot of algae on stuff on the sand- I don't know it didn't look as pretty as it could, you know?

Here's what i bought and at what price:

1. Tropic Marine 200 us gal salt bucket -$70

2. Fiji pink live sand 20lb - $29

3. Frozen Brine Shrimp 30 count 3.5 oz (100g) cube pack - $4

What do you guys think? Should look for a different lfs?

 

[Ejb]

Ive been to 3 lf's in my area to check out what they had and how they looked. I only go to 1 of these stores to purchase corals and fish, I bought one frag from one of the other stores and didn't realize till I got home that bubble algae was all over the base. In the end I fragged that dude into a bunch of pieces before adding him to the tank. I would look around and also see how knowledgeable the staff are

 

[Tcox]

In my opinion, find another store. Tanks in fish stores couldn't possibly kept "perfect" but your LFS should have a reasonable handle on aptasia, algaes, and disease/parasites. Their tanks are like everyone else's and will have small issues here and there but what you describe seems to be "out of spec" so to speak.

My advice is shop around online for pricing. I personally like Bulk Reef Supply, but once again shop around because better deals can sometimes be had elsewhere. I would strongly advise you to find a LFS that appears to take better care of their tanks. I drive 1.5 hours to get to my preferred LFS. You buy so much in the first 6 months of your tank. Make sure your wet things come from a great source. Spending a little more on the front end can save you a TON on the back end. Dip, quarantine, and be educated on your purchases. This will save you a lot of money.

 

[mcgyvr]

Sadly its fairly common for many local fish stores.. Unless that store also has numerous maintenance contracts for local tanks there is very little money to be made only having a brick and mortar storefront and as such quality/time/good employees,etc.. are hard to come by..
The expenses of maintaining pristine water quality/clean tanks,etc.. outweigh the profit typically made at the store...

Welcome to what the internet has done to brick and mortar stores...
Its not just fish stores... No one can compete with Amazon/Ebay,etc... anymore.. Such is life..

 

[LuizW13]

Thanks for the input!

 

[Valentini89]

I have noticed dead/sick fish at two of my lfs. It doesn't turn me off from going to them, because I know with the variety and vast number of stock they keep it's impossible to insure the health of every fish and every coral. The other day i asked about a 'nem from one store and at least the guy was honest and said they got a dozen in and only 6 survived so far so he wouldn't recommend one. I can recommend saltwaterfish.com if you are looking for an online solution. I have had positive experience with them more than once. They package the fish in insulated boxes and take steps to insure temperature is controlled.

 

[Gladmaker]

I have bought various livestock online and have been mostly satisfied. However, I have no idea if they have aiptasia, algae or dead fish in their tanks. At least with LFS you can see how it is. My closest LFS was bought out several months ago. It had been let to run down and the new owner was not experienced with retail fish but is working hard to get it in better condition. A couple of months ago, I bought a large yellow tang there. It had been in their display tank, but moved to a sales tank. She netted it, put it in a bag and then blew air from her mouth into the bag before sealing it. The tang didn't make the night in my tank. I knew I should have stopped her in the store, but let her do her thing. I went back and explained that I felt the tang should have not been netted, but caught in a small container and she should not have blown into the bag. She was appreciative of the feedback. I accepted the blame for not stopping her in the store. I've been back and the store looks better each time. It's a lot of work and very difficult to get capable help. I can overlook some algae and some other things if I can see that they are working to improve.

 

[DancingShark]

Nah. I would still buy from a lfs even under those conditions. It will be the second or third option if I had other to choose. You do need to use knowledge and common sense.

The only reason I ever have stopped from buying in a fish store is if the owner lied to me.

 

[LuizW13]

I have bought various livestock online and have been mostly satisfied. However, I have no idea if they have aiptasia, algae or dead fish in their tanks. At least with LFS you can see how it is.

That's a very good point.

thanks!

 

[static916]

Its a catch 22. I really like supporting my LFSs. I've talked with the owners when they're not busy and they work very hard to try to please people and keep good tanks but they aren't perfect. I have 2 near by I go to and one has a tank that I won't buy anything from because the corals are covered in bubble algae. The other I've seen several dead fish in their tanks over time, and aptasia.

They try to be good owners and I try to be a good customer. Buy whats reasonably priced but also making sure things are safe and healthy for my tanks at home. Its forced me to be a better reefer as I now have an observation tank the corals go in before putting them in my main tank. This has allowed me to catch bubble algae growing on the rock and remove the bits on the rock before I glue it down in my tank.

 

[LuizW13]

Yeah, i want to support the local guys too, but i was just wondering if what i was seeing is out of the ordinary, since i have nothing to compare it to.

They don't really have any livestock that's on my list anyway - i guess i could buy some clean up crew from them and other misc. goods.