Why don't people listen

[afo2046]

Ok so I went to my local LFS and was talking to the owner. The owner is very knowledgeable about reefs and saltwater fish. There was another man in the store who had purchased a 20 gallon fish tank. I asked him how long he had been in the hobby and he told me this was his first salt water tank. Now I am no expert at all but I asked him what he planned to keep. He replied a wolf eel and a volitan lion fish. Inside I started laughing but I realized that he must not have known much about these fish and that I should try to help him. I told him that not only are the fish he chose probably born too big for his tank but he should probably look into getting a bigger system or different fish. He proceeded to tell me that with adequate skimming and filtration he would be ok. Just for kicks I asked him how much live rock he was getting for his tank. Much to my surprise he said he did not want live rock because it would crowd his tank :lol: . The LFS owner has tried to talk him out of it several times and has refused to sell him the fish. I am going to send up a prayer for the soon to be dead eel and lionfish.

 

[iCam]

People don't like to admit when they're wrong.

 

[jenlovesty]

I would have directed him to reefcentral. When I first got started I had no clue. Reefcentral has really helped me in the right direction. Thank goodness the only bad thing I have put into my tank was a blue damsel.

 

[Kiel'thalin]

I agree the guy is wrong with the selection of livestock, but what is the deal with the live rock? Liverock is not a requirement to have in a SW tank. I agree with the gentlement, with adequate skimming and filtration he would be fine (for a short while). The lion doesn't require a lot of swimming space and the eel would need some cover. Depending on purchase size, he could get away with it for a few months or so, or until the lion quickly outgrew the tank. Maybe then he would would of thought, dang I should of bought a bigger tank. For a 1st tank with little knowledge, I have seen way worse setups. Maybe he has gotten his advise on setup from another reefer or even some of the books that are floating around. When people set there minds to something, sometimes it takes more than a short conversation at a LFS to change them.

 

[corbett_n]

I hear you on the blue damsel

 

[Nano Chris]

Good for the LFS that didn't sell that guy the livestock. The guy could have asked first if they would be able to live in that size tank, some people are just stupid, they want what they want, no concern for the animals life.

 

[UntamedBreez]

I'm impressed my LFS would have sold him the tank, filter, skimmer food and the lion and eel at the same time.....
and then another lion and eelwhen those two died a week later...

 

[Jalgar]

I have known a couple people that gave BS information just because someone "butted in" on their business. Not that I do this, just a possible solution.