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			 Ok, I'm opinionated. Everyone knows that. So here's my latest. If you've been in the hobby for more than a few months, you should own your own test kits and not mooch off the LFS. 
		
	
		
		
		
		
			How is it ok to keep doing this? I know people in 10 years that still mooch off the LFS. Really??? How is this happening? Who else has an opinion? ![]() 
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	Brad  | 
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			#2  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
		
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			 I wouldn't trust the lfs if my life depended on it. IV had bad luck with other people testing my water for me.  That's my opinion 
		
	
		
		
		
		
		
	
		
		
	
	
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			#3  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
		
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			 Are you trying to catch a marlin or a flounder? 
		
	
		
		
		
		
			API all the way... 
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	Reef Pilot's Undersea Oasis: http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...d.php?t=102101 Frags FS: http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...d.php?t=115022 Solutions are easy. The real difficulty lies in discovering the problem.  | 
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			#4  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
		
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			 lol, not fishing, just get irked when I see this all the time. Remember my thread about the cost of reefing? I wasn't kidding. It's expensive, and one of the cheapest things in the hobby is a test kit. If you can't afford a test kit, maybe collecting hats is a better hobby. (see? opinionated  
		
	
		
		
		
		
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	Brad  | 
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			#5  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
		
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			 Quote: 
	
 Other than to verify the accuracy of your own test, no one should rely on the LFS to perform test for you.  | 
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			#6  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
		
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			 Your LFS doesn't charge for testing? If not they should be. 
		
	
		
		
		
		
		
	
		
		
	
	
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			#7  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
		
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			 I agree. It costs them materials and labour. They should at least recoup costs. 
		
	
		
		
		
		
			
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	Brad  | 
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			#8  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
		
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			 I usually recommend newbies have the LFS test their water for them. But yeah, after they've been in it for a few months and think they are going to stay in the hobby, then its time to get test kits to do it at home.  
		
	
		
		
		
		
		
	
		
		
	
	
	Once in a blue moon I'll bring my water sample in to the LFS to get it tested but that's mainly to verify my own. I also get a good friend of mine with Hanna checkers to test for certain elements because those are supposedly more accurate than the Salifert kits I use.  | 
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			#9  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
		
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			 Anthony, yes, in the early days, or as a blue moon check up, sure. But once you're in it, you need to own your own stuff. 
		
	
		
		
		
		
			
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	Brad  | 
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			#10  
			
			
			
			
			
		 
		
		
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			 Maybe you should have a poll... See how many freeloaders fess up... 
		
	
		
		
		
		
			
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	Reef Pilot's Undersea Oasis: http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...d.php?t=102101 Frags FS: http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...d.php?t=115022 Solutions are easy. The real difficulty lies in discovering the problem.  |