Getting bad advice from LFS

[jdubDaReefGuy]

Can we talk about the fact that a lot of fish stores are there to make money and don’t always know every answer. They will often tell you what you want to hear to sell a product. People in this hobby are so quick to just take advice from someone instead of doing their own research. It’s fine to ask questions but take everything with a grain of salt and do your own research.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Something all of us or at least most of us have learned or experienced the hard way sadly.

 

[crazyfishmom]

Can we talk about the fact that a lot of fish stores are there to make money and don’t always know every answer. They will often tell you what you want to hear to sell a product. People in this hobby are so quick to just take advice from someone instead of doing their own research. It’s fine to ask questions but take everything with a grain of salt and do your own research.

Happens all the time!

One of the things I love about one of my local LFS is that they’ll tell you “I’m not sure on that, let me help you look up more information” if they don’t know about something in particular and it’s clear that they do their research.

 

[officialreefbros]

It's tough because you see it all over the place with buying coral too. A lot of it will be fine. My first tank after I cycled they told me I was good for a torch since I finished cycling! Needless to say it did not end well

 

[vetteguy53081]

Can we talk about the fact that a lot of fish stores are there to make money and don’t always know every answer. They will often tell you what you want to hear to sell a product. People in this hobby are so quick to just take advice from someone instead of doing their own research. It’s fine to ask questions but take everything with a grain of salt and do your own research.

Its a tough spot to be in as we entrust in our retailers as a source of information as well as availability of goods/livestock. Its a risk we take with both the husbandry of livestock and valid information being given. It would be a bonus if you walk into a given store and they ask you about your tank and occupants before selling you a fish which may not be compatible.

 

[MoshJosh]

Yeah, it happens. . . and I think it will probably always happen. That is not to say that it is intentional or malicious just the nature of the game haha (sounds really lame!)

I don't totally agree that they will tell you anything to sell you something. . . sometimes they will. . . but I think sometimes in this hobby people legit think the best and or only solution is to throw more money at the tank (sometimes they are right haha)

Take LFS advise with a grain of salt, do your own research, and try to give people grace (or "assume best intent").

 

[jdubDaReefGuy]

Happens all the time!

One of the things I love about one of my local LFS is that they’ll tell you “I’m not sure on that, let me help you look up more information” if they don’t know about something in particular and it’s clear that they do their research.

That’s a really good way to go about it. Atleast they are honest and don’t try and make things up

 

[PotatoPig]

In my (limited) experience: LFS that are effectively an elaborate marketing tool for their aquarium maintenance services tend to be a bit better about this.

They’re being paid to keep a ton of tanks, some rather serious in size, going well so need a decent level of expertise, primary revenue is from the services dept so are under less financial pressure to move any individual piece of livestock out the door and have less conflict of interest if something you wan to buy might not be a good fit for your system.

The downside is they (IME) tend to carry more variable and limited livestock.

 

[michigan-reef]

Making friends with someone that has many years of experience and a beautiful tank is about the best thing you can do. Also, do your own research on every question you have. There are so many good resources available (this site and the BRS youtube videos) are two good places to start. I think it is a bad strategy to depend on an LFS for information. I know there are LFS owners and employees that are very knowledgable and really care, but I have also heard a lot of bad advice.

 

[legionofdoon]

The two LFS's in my area are very knowledgeable luckily. I was starting a tank up not two long ago and was having them double check the water, they didn't like what they saw a strongly encouraged me to wait a few more weeks before putting any coral in. The owner of one is an actual marine biologist he's very knowledgeable and has no problem answering anything you ask and all around a friendly guy. The other store is smaller and caters to more high end stuff, the owner also very knowledgeable and talkative, his main display before he started to reset it was a work of art. He also has a maintenance side of his business so maybe as someone stated earlier they have a vested interest in giving the right advice.

 

[krollins]

Once went to petco. They told me I could put a boxfish in a 75. I never went there again.

 

[Bob Weigant]

When Im in my usual LFS they will tell me if they dont know an answer. Id much rather hear that then a made up lie

 

[kevgib67]

I’m lucky I have a great Lfs. Owners have been in business for decades. Tanks are spotless and a great selection. What they don’t have they will order for me. They made me wait an additional 2 months before they would sell me a diamond watchman goby, they right move

 

[legionofdoon]

Once went to petco. They told me I could put a boxfish in a 75. I never went there again.

They are the worst

 

[Outlaw Corals]

Half of them were clueless about anything, all they know is they have products to sell and will try and talk to you into buying stuff that you don’t need, if we didn’t have places like this or the Facebook groups a lot of reefers would be buying all kinds of junk that they don’t need

 

[jdubDaReefGuy]

Do you ever find yourself asking questions you already know the answer to? Just to kinda judge what they know by the answer they give.

I find it to be such a better experience when the LFS asks about my tank. Stocking list, size, and so on. I’d rather be refused a fish and steered in a different direction if the fish I’m choosing will cause problems in my tank.