I've been going to swaps now for 2 or 3 years, and I have only run across a few people that I wouldn't do business with. One guy was a one and done guy at the GSA who had set up shop just to the left of Prime Time Aquatics booth. He didn't know anything about any of the fish he was selling, and the randomness of what he was selling was odd as well. One of the fish looked really nice but no way was I spending money there. Another vendor I see regularly at the GCCA and the GSA sells mbuna. That's what he labels them. That's all the info I can get. Now, maybe to an experienced African Cichlid fish keeper, that's enough to go on, but I know next to nothing when it comes to Old World cichlids. It would be nice to know what kind of mbuna I'm picking up so I know how big they get.
Jason can correct me if I'm wrong, I think the Quad City Swap (one of the biggest swaps in the country, if not THE biggest) is run by a pet store, West Lake Aquatics. If they aren't running it, they are, at minimum, heavily involved.
I discovered fish swaps last year. Just attended my second swap on Saturday. The prices and variety are awesome! This one is no where near as big as the ones you're talking about. But it is so fun to find fish that are not in my local pet stores. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
I went to a local fish store (not big box) to get some supplies, etc. I overhead a customer ask why that particular type of bristlenose was so expensive (over $100). I knew the answer but he was quite surprised. It's usually low supply (not easier to breed even though they have been around for some time) or newly discovered.. and of course, where the fish had to travelled to get here. But I think (easier said than done) it's always good to have some budget in mind or maximum limit :) I love supporting local fish stores... but sometimes you just have to get them shipped in from another country... and for some us, we are lucky to do so. But I don't mind doing the heavy lifting so I can risk them travelling over, risk them adapting to our water, etc. and so I can breed them and raise their fry in our water... so local fish keepers can have access to them.
Good to see you are okay. 😃 I have 14 tanks. I live in Norway. Glad we dont have tropical storms 😅 but here its cold all year round 🥶 and we get winther storms to.
The only good thing that fish stores have compared to swaps is that new fishkeepers are rarely going into a swap. Fish stores are a wonderful gateway into fishkeeping
One of the swap advantages is if you have a bad fish store, you have a potential source for healthy fish. There's a store in PHI that's protected by other pet sales (dog, cat, etc.) that protects their lousy fish care practices.
I work at a small pet shop and we just don't have the resources to treat the fish the way specialized stores do, I wish we would put in a little more effort for the bettas though tbh
I would LOVE to go to swaps where there are over 15-20 tables. we just don't have the people near me. our fish/aquarium club isn't that large and there is only 1 in our area. i'm going to have to drive to one of yours!!
Do a selling fish for profit talk but make it the reality. I specialize in a couple fish even then it’s hard to do it well to even pay for the hobby as so many people are doing it. My biggest LFS said this weekend they get their entire shrimp stock free from breeders because they get 100 calls per week.
I would love to hear an Amazon debate. If you never attended a swap before, prime time aquatics has a great video on the subject. I use their tips every time I go to a swap.
Ah, it's finally Monday (tank talk day!) I hope someday I can get out of state to a swap. The fish selection here is abysmal. I would absolutely love to see you two debate the Amazon topic!
First of all, the Amazon debate would be awesome: John's face will be red, and yelling 😂 I would love it. Another thing, Oscar's vs. Geophagus debate podcast!
I will gave to try a start a fish swap around my location, they could already be there but I do not see any and certainly no talks of. Must be though? Could be a good place to swap out some of my 200 red jewel cichlids, they’re getting big
Yall read my mind on this episode topic. Although I'd be curious too how if you wanted to sell fish at a swap how to prep them ect. And I'm gonna have to send an email in I've got a problem but not sure exactly what I did wrong. Tried seeding a filter to cycle a new tank. Bare tank just big glob of moss couple lava rocks snails that came in with the moss. At 0ppm ammonia 1ppm nitrite and 10ppm nitrates. I messed up this process. Does it at least sound like I'm close? Lol. When it's done I'm doing floating plants with clown killis
I would listen to a talk about Amazon. I would never buy fish from them but I do buy things from them like filters or supplies that are competitively price that are shipped in the US. Amazon can be a double edge sword. I have found online retailers who also sell on Amazon. I will go to their website and see how much different the price with shipping. When comparable or within reason, I will order directly from the company instead of Amazon. I'm on a tight budget so if shipping is $20+ versus free on Amazon cause I have a prime membership, I have to go with Amazon. I don’t buy things shipped directly from overseas. So I would love to hear why John calls Amazon the devil.
Do a search online. Depending on where you live, I'm sure Seattle-Tacoma area or Olympia o, maybe Vancouver. I did find one near Portland (where I live), it's in Beaverton, Oregon. Apparently its held in May, there name: PNW Aquarium Swap meet. Hope this helps you, good luck!
No doubt this is the best podcast fish related, I can't wait every Monday to keep learning with u guys thanks you are doing a great job
I've been going to swaps now for 2 or 3 years, and I have only run across a few people that I wouldn't do business with. One guy was a one and done guy at the GSA who had set up shop just to the left of Prime Time Aquatics booth. He didn't know anything about any of the fish he was selling, and the randomness of what he was selling was odd as well. One of the fish looked really nice but no way was I spending money there. Another vendor I see regularly at the GCCA and the GSA sells mbuna. That's what he labels them. That's all the info I can get. Now, maybe to an experienced African Cichlid fish keeper, that's enough to go on, but I know next to nothing when it comes to Old World cichlids. It would be nice to know what kind of mbuna I'm picking up so I know how big they get.
At the local swap near me . I have had 2 different stores coming around and buy fish . It is a great place to make connections.
Jason can correct me if I'm wrong, I think the Quad City Swap (one of the biggest swaps in the country, if not THE biggest) is run by a pet store, West Lake Aquatics. If they aren't running it, they are, at minimum, heavily involved.
you are correct
Swaps are great for so many reasons. I wish I had known that there were so many of them around me.
I discovered fish swaps last year. Just attended my second swap on Saturday. The prices and variety are awesome! This one is no where near as big as the ones you're talking about. But it is so fun to find fish that are not in my local pet stores. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
I went to a local fish store (not big box) to get some supplies, etc. I overhead a customer ask why that particular type of bristlenose was so expensive (over $100). I knew the answer but he was quite surprised. It's usually low supply (not easier to breed even though they have been around for some time) or newly discovered.. and of course, where the fish had to travelled to get here. But I think (easier said than done) it's always good to have some budget in mind or maximum limit :) I love supporting local fish stores... but sometimes you just have to get them shipped in from another country... and for some us, we are lucky to do so. But I don't mind doing the heavy lifting so I can risk them travelling over, risk them adapting to our water, etc. and so I can breed them and raise their fry in our water... so local fish keepers can have access to them.
Good to see you are okay. 😃 I have 14 tanks. I live in Norway. Glad we dont have tropical storms 😅 but here its cold all year round 🥶 and we get winther storms to.
Another great talk. I live in Missouri, I'm making it to Chicago show some how now.
Great info. Got me looking for local fish clubs and swaps.
I’m in RVA. There is no metropolitan area near us. Same for N. Carolina. That’s why not as many swaps as Chicago area. They have millions of people.
I’m from SWVA and I’ve never heard of a fish swap or let alone clubs near me so I totally get it. It sucks.
The only good thing that fish stores have compared to swaps is that new fishkeepers are rarely going into a swap. Fish stores are a wonderful gateway into fishkeeping
I wanna go to a swap. I live near Jason so I might go to one he talks about
One of the swap advantages is if you have a bad fish store, you have a potential source for healthy fish.
There's a store in PHI that's protected by other pet sales (dog, cat, etc.) that protects their lousy fish care practices.
I work at a small pet shop and we just don't have the resources to treat the fish the way specialized stores do, I wish we would put in a little more effort for the bettas though tbh
Philadelphia???
I would love to hear a debate about Amazon's impact on the hobby it would be a good research opportunity
I would LOVE to go to swaps where there are over 15-20 tables. we just don't have the people near me. our fish/aquarium club isn't that large and there is only 1 in our area. i'm going to have to drive to one of yours!!
Do a selling fish for profit talk but make it the reality. I specialize in a couple fish even then it’s hard to do it well to even pay for the hobby as so many people are doing it. My biggest LFS said this weekend they get their entire shrimp stock free from breeders because they get 100 calls per week.
I would love to hear an Amazon debate.
If you never attended a swap before, prime time aquatics has a great video on the subject. I use their tips every time I go to a swap.
Ah, it's finally Monday (tank talk day!) I hope someday I can get out of state to a swap. The fish selection here is abysmal. I would absolutely love to see you two debate the Amazon topic!
Honestly I wish there was a local fish swap near me. I live next to the only fish store.
Grate video,I wish to know where they have those swaps I live in Philadelphia
I would like to see the Amazon debate. It is like all things, good and bad.
First of all, the Amazon debate would be awesome: John's face will be red, and yelling 😂 I would love it. Another thing, Oscar's vs. Geophagus debate podcast!
Would love to see the Amazon debate.
I will gave to try a start a fish swap around my location, they could already be there but I do not see any and certainly no talks of. Must be though? Could be a good place to swap out some of my 200 red jewel cichlids, they’re getting big
Debate would love to hear both sides of the Amazon topic.
Great video! I would like to see you two debate over Amazon
John, you can do what I did yo find local clubs and swaps near you. Find a prominent local TH-camr like Jason and ask him where they are. 😂
Yall read my mind on this episode topic. Although I'd be curious too how if you wanted to sell fish at a swap how to prep them ect. And I'm gonna have to send an email in I've got a problem but not sure exactly what I did wrong. Tried seeding a filter to cycle a new tank. Bare tank just big glob of moss couple lava rocks snails that came in with the moss. At 0ppm ammonia 1ppm nitrite and 10ppm nitrates. I messed up this process. Does it at least sound like I'm close? Lol. When it's done I'm doing floating plants with clown killis
Would love to pick up some cpds Jason! When’s your next swap.
I would listen to a talk about Amazon. I would never buy fish from them but I do buy things from them like filters or supplies that are competitively price that are shipped in the US. Amazon can be a double edge sword. I have found online retailers who also sell on Amazon. I will go to their website and see how much different the price with shipping. When comparable or within reason, I will order directly from the company instead of Amazon. I'm on a tight budget so if shipping is $20+ versus free on Amazon cause I have a prime membership, I have to go with Amazon. I don’t buy things shipped directly from overseas. So I would love to hear why John calls Amazon the devil.
I need to join a fish club or something but I don't drive and the closest one is like 3 or 4 towns over 😂
Let’s hear the debate - “Battle of the beards”!
2 tone viking style
I really wish there were clubs and swaps near me.😢😢😢😢
Nice
👍🤠 John, no Apple headphones? Are you leaning away from Apple like you did with Dodge? 😮
Apple team 😂😂😂
What is John drinking every episode 😂😂 tang
Anyone in Washington State know of anything like this happening?
Do a search online. Depending on where you live, I'm sure Seattle-Tacoma area or Olympia o, maybe Vancouver. I did find one near Portland (where I live), it's in Beaverton, Oregon. Apparently its
held in May, there name: PNW Aquarium Swap meet. Hope this helps you, good luck!
Yes Amazon is hurting the fish hobby.
No way you’re getting me to stop using Amazon John. Love your Tank Talk Show but please keep it positive. Negative help no one.
Grate video,I wish to know where they have those swaps I live in Philadelphia
I don't know much about what's happening in the city proper but the Bucks County Aquarium society is very active