alton
Well-known member
In San Antonio I watched two stores that quarantined go out of business because the public would not pay the extra money for quality healthy fish.
Today's Rant on Quarantining
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In San Antonio I watched two stores that quarantined go out of business because the public would not pay the extra money for quality healthy fish.
My LFS qt fish for $10 a week, 4 weeks for $33 and 8 weeks for $50. This is per tank. If you buy 3 fish you can have all of them qt for 8 weeks for $50. If the fish dies in qt the store will get you a new one.
They treat with copper, prazi, metro and some blue stuff. The qt section is a rack in the back with approximately 20 5 gallon and 10 gallon tanks. Each tank is ran on it's own sponge filter and macro algae. Most of the time their qt tanks have no vacancy.
They treat with copper, prazi, metro and some blue stuff. The qt section is a rack in the back with approximately 20 5 gallon and 10 gallon tanks. Each tank is ran on it's own sponge filter and macro algae. Most of the time their qt tanks have no vacancy.
reefgeezer
Active member
Nice. I wonder if anyone has ever audited their process?
I have been there in the morning and seen the employees check the cu levels.
reefgeezer
Active member
I would pay an extra $80 for three relatively expensive fish, say $50+ each, for 8 weeks of demonstratively proper QT. I would want to see records and objective evidence showing that an industry accepted QT process was effectively maintained. This causes a problem...
1. There is no industry accepted QT process; and
2. Documenting actions, record keeping, & demonstrating compliance costs money. This quickly eats up any profit and removes incentives for the LFS to offer the QT process.
1. There is no industry accepted QT process; and
2. Documenting actions, record keeping, & demonstrating compliance costs money. This quickly eats up any profit and removes incentives for the LFS to offer the QT process.
This is the easy one to solve. Look to the practices of public aquariums, aquaculture facilities and research labs
reefgeezer
Active member
This is the easy one to solve. Look to the practices of public aquariums, aquaculture facilities and research labs
That would be a great place to start. Now all we have to do is put their processes in a standard and get the industry to buy into complying with it.
Now all we have to do is put their processes in a standard and get the industry to buy into complying with it.
Sorry, there is no way that would ever happen. Costs will dictate.
jimmyj7090
aka John K
That would be a great place to start. Now all we have to do is put their processes in a standard and get the industry to buy into complying with it.
The hard part is actually getting enough customers willing to buy into the greatly increased cost. Think about the amount of equipment($$$), floor space($$$), and man power($$$) the typical LFS has dedicated to displaying livestock for immediate sale during any given week. Now multiply that by 5, to allow for a 4 week QT of adequate stock to keep that store "on sale" display system well stocked. Not the mention the money that is now tied up for a minimum of 4 weeks before you see any return. Jimmy's $150 Yellow Tang might not be so far off the mark for a such a process.
sde1500
Active member
5 and 10 gallon tanks? That doesn't offer much room for fish.
Yellow tangs at the store are between 20 and 25 dollars plus 50 dollars for 8 weeks of qt for a total of 75 dollars not 150 dollars.
There might be a couple of 20 gallons but how big should their qt tanks be? They have ammonia badge on their tanks so ammonia is not an issue. Fish are guaranteed while in qt. If you buy a large fish their qt service might not be for you. The store has no problem keeping their qt tanks full. Anyway 10 gallons is fine for most fish people buy.
There might be a couple of 20 gallons but how big should their qt tanks be? They have ammonia badge on their tanks so ammonia is not an issue. Fish are guaranteed while in qt. If you buy a large fish their qt service might not be for you. The store has no problem keeping their qt tanks full. Anyway 10 gallons is fine for most fish people buy.
Brieninsac
Member
Do I need to quarantine my first fish?
I'm in the process of cycling a new 73 gal. tank. I used live sand and ReefRock 2.1 and have treated the water with Bio-spira. I would like to start the tank with 2 Clown fish and maybe a coral or two. Should I quarantine the new fish or just add them to the new tank? I don't have my QT setup as the water hasn't been cycled yet.
I'm in the process of cycling a new 73 gal. tank. I used live sand and ReefRock 2.1 and have treated the water with Bio-spira. I would like to start the tank with 2 Clown fish and maybe a coral or two. Should I quarantine the new fish or just add them to the new tank? I don't have my QT setup as the water hasn't been cycled yet.
dadummy
Active member
here's another thought making that $150 tang a $300 beauty
How about the fish that get imported to the wholesaler(s), then make it to the LFS and find a way into our tanks. They look good and eat well then are flat out dead in a couple days. No way would they survive a 4 week QT. Then again maybe this would help stop the use of cyanide?
dkeller_nc
New member
With respect to what folks are willing to pay for, all one has to do is read threads on RC. There are posts complaining, for example, at the institution of sales tax at Diver's Den/Live Aquaria, which at most adds 10% to the cost of the livestock.
And many, many, many indignant posts about the asking price of EcoTech Marine's products. I've even seen quite a number of folks absolutely insisting that the cheap knock-offs of the Tunze Stream pumps are just as good, and that Tunze is "ripping people off".
And one would think that the average person on RC is a good bit more knowledgeable about what one's getting for their dollars at a marine LFS than the average Joe.
And many, many, many indignant posts about the asking price of EcoTech Marine's products. I've even seen quite a number of folks absolutely insisting that the cheap knock-offs of the Tunze Stream pumps are just as good, and that Tunze is "ripping people off".
And one would think that the average person on RC is a good bit more knowledgeable about what one's getting for their dollars at a marine LFS than the average Joe.
Swensos
New member
The only aquarium store I have been to that had a separate, isolated, and long-term QT (over 8 weeks) was at a store where selling fish was tertiary to their business model. They built and maintained custom aquariums and sumps with a six-month waiting list. They could afford to hold and QT high price fish with low turnover, because it wasn't their main source of income. Their fish were still higher priced than elsewhere.
I dont think anyone is asking for 100% QT guarantee. I would more likely purchase a fish from store A that has SOME type of QT vs store B that has none. Simple as that. Yes I know the risk involved but it's better than nothing. And as more and more stores do some type of QT, their process will improve.
All the people that complains it's impossible need to realize that nothing is perfect from the start. It's all about innovating and improving. But it has start somewhere without all the nay sayers putting it down.
All the people that complains it's impossible need to realize that nothing is perfect from the start. It's all about innovating and improving. But it has start somewhere without all the nay sayers putting it down.
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