Tips For Choosing a Local Fish Store
- Ask your friends what is a good LFS in your area that they have done business with frequently and are happy with, then go check it out for yourself. Word of mouth can be one of the best forms of advertising.
- Don't make any impulse decisions on your first visit to a store. Visit the store several times before making a decision, look around, and ask the following questions.
- Is the staff knowledgeable? This can be hard to answer if you are new at the hobby yourself. So how do you know if what they are telling you is good information or not? You need to do your part first. Be sure to stock your saltwater book library before engaging in the hobby. Read, read, and read more!!! Learn as much as you can so that when you go to a store you are somewhat knowledgeable! How can you determine if the info you are getting is wise or not if you don't know anything about the hobby yourself? If you are unsure of what the store is telling you, you can take the information they gave you and consult other experienced aquarists before making any decisions. If you have friends that have been in the hobby for a while, consult with them. Using the extensive saltwater related Forum Resources available through the Internet, such as discussion boards for post messages, chat rooms for asking questions, and emailing to experienced aquarists are all prime places to get answers.
- Does it look like the store might just "dabble" in saltwater? Dealing with a store that strictly caters to marine aquariums is best. However, there are a lot of stores that deal both in saltwater and freshwater. Look closely at what they have to offer in the way of fish and dry goods. Is it well stocked and going to supply you with a wide variety of what you need (books, filtration systems, test kits, fish foods, etc.)?
- How does the store look? Is it clean? Are the tanks, fish (salt and freshwater) and other animals well kept and maintained?
- What kind of filtration are they using for their tanks? The more state of the art system they have, the better the chances that water quality and tank care is good. Don't be afraid to ask them to test their tank water so you can see the parameter readings for yourself. The basics are pH, salinity, ammonia, nitrite (should be zero on these two) and nitrate. The closer your tank parameters are to the stores, the better for the fish and marine animals you purchase when you introduce them into your own tank.
- Ask if you can see the fish eat before buying them, and find out what they have been feeding them. This way you can see if the fish you are thinking about purchasing are eating and in good health, and you can duplicate their diet. You should never buy a fish that is showing signs of not eating. If it's a challenge in the store, you'll have a real hard time once you get the fish into your tank.
- Look closely at the fish for signs of diseases and stress: Frayed fins, cloudy eyes, missing scales, white spots (Ich), sunken abdomens, bloated stomachs, fungus, rapid gilling, etc. Are the fish calm and swimming normally? Do they look happy and healthy?
- For corals and live rock, how do they look (full, robust, no discoloration's if brightly colored, no broken off spots, etc.)? Find out what additives and feeding they are getting. For live rock, do they sell it cured, uncured, or both? If cured, is it healthy and clean? Clean means is it free of unwanted pests like bristle worms, aiptasia anemones and mantis shrimps?
- Ask if they quarantine new arrivals. If so, for how long? It is good when a store will not release a fish for sale until it has been quarantined and tanked it for about two weeks. It helps to lessen the possible transfer of fish diseases to your tank and gives the fish time to recover from any stresses from shipping. You can always ask the store to hold the fish for you. If they do not do this, it is wise for you put them in your own quarantine tank at home before introducing them into your main tank.
- How is the service? If there is a problem, do they say it's not their fault or that there is nothing they can do? Or do they offer as much assistance as they can under whatever circumstances caused the problem? If there is something you need and they don't have it, are they willing to try and get it for you if possible?
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