LFS "advice".

fishytime · #1 08-23-2007, 01:33 AM

Was just reading about this in another post and it prompted me to post this.I was at a lfs on the weekend looking for a suitable fish for my 20g reef.I was hum-in and ha-in over what to get when the lfs dude asked if I needed any help. So I explained to him that I had a 20g reef that has a clown(ocellaris), Six line, and a royal gramma. Told him I kinda wanted something that was blue and reef safe and he steered me toward a tank full of powder blue (I think) tangs(2"). I told him that I didnt think that a tang would be a good fit and he tried for about a minute to get me to buy the tang. Now, this is supposed to be one of the better stores in town. It really burns me when a store that you are supposed to be able to trust dishes out the "this is what we need to sell" advice instead of "the you know we dont have anything for you at the moment" advice that I should have received. Now if I had been a complete newb(which he obviously took me for) I would have a blue tang in my 20. Its to bad I had nothing bad at all to say about this store before this.

michika · #2 08-23-2007, 02:44 AM

That is too bad, I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

I hope you are able to find a suitable small blue fish!

fishytime · #3 08-23-2007, 03:07 AM

Thought damsel for a little while there, but one thing kept going through my head

Thought maybe I would roll the dice with a cherub angel.

Skimmer Juice · #4 08-23-2007, 03:22 AM

You should look for a small lyeirtale goby I got a really cool blue one. He is about 2 inches full grown, and is out and active all the time.

Zylumn · #5 08-23-2007, 03:25 AM

Doug I think most places in town know you and understand your level of commitment to knowledge in this reef hobby. I am surprised a salesperson felt you wouldn't be offended over inappropriate advice.
This last week I went to a couple LFS's and thought to myself it would be nice if you went into a LFS and they had a computer and internet , or a fish data base you could use. I go in and see a fish and wonder if it would be compatible in my setup and have no way of immediately knowing except from a salesperson that wants you to buy that fish. Now do I want to go home, look it up, drive back and buy it???.
Well just me rambling on.
Kevin

Der_Iron_Chef · #6 08-23-2007, 04:00 AM

That's a great idea, Kevin. Or at least a few good reference books, eh?

EmilyB · #7 08-23-2007, 05:35 AM

Please PM me with the details, it's important to know.

Chaloupa · #8 08-23-2007, 05:42 AM

Kevin...I think that is one of the best ideas I've heard...I don't know how many times I have been to a reef shop in Vancouver (I live on Vancouver Island) LOVE a fish but can't get good info on it...until I find an internet cafe, or have one in the hotel I am staying at...then go back to get it the next day and ... it's gone...I'd love to see an internet terminal in an LFS...that would be sooo very cool! Even if I had to put in a buck or something to help with the cost...it would be cool with me! My husband would be sooo much happier hearing he doesn't need to buy me a nice Mac laptop!

Although, I could use it!

sorry that was a bit off topic......

Pan · #9 08-23-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zylumn

Doug I think most places in town know you and understand your level of commitment to knowledge in this reef hobby. I am surprised a salesperson felt you wouldn't be offended over inappropriate advice.
This last week I went to a couple LFS's and thought to myself it would be nice if you went into a LFS and they had a computer and internet , or a fish data base you could use. I go in and see a fish and wonder if it would be compatible in my setup and have no way of immediately knowing except from a salesperson that wants you to buy that fish. Now do I want to go home, look it up, drive back and buy it???.
Well just me rambling on.
Kevin

Every LFS that I have visited in Calgary, Golds, Ocean City and Wai's all let me use one of the reference books they sell to look something up in, sometimes grudingly though. Every store I've ever been to has its moments of good and bad. Just as well as everyone has had dead fish, poor advice, ich outbreaks, flatworm outbreaks etc. While not excusing what they did I'm not surprised. Maybe he was new

to the store as an employee (oh there is the straw..i'm trying to ..whats the word...grasp at it...) Aquarium Illusions has a couple of dog eared, cover worn out reference books they keep around (been there a few times only though). Every store i've been to has had something come in they have no idea what it is. I frequented several shops in the US when I was down there for school, everyone had an internet kiosk setup to look at fish/corals etc.. most times pointed at marinedepot or livequaria. Yep I ranted a bit..sorry. I should have introduced myself now that I have thrown off lurker status for the shining light that comes with userhood..(word?) too bad I only have one small tank left.

albert_dao · #10 08-23-2007, 06:00 PM

I have lots of referrence books and internet access if anyone is curious.