One weird thing I look for in online retailers is negative reviews. No retailer will ever have 100% positive reviews, so if a site doesn't have negative reviews, it makes me think they're deleting/hiding complaints. Plus, negative reviews give a good idea of likely problems you might run into, and then you can decide if those are problems you're willing to potentially take on. Thanks for doing these videos, I'm loving them!
I started keeping fish in 1960, as a 12 year old. Local pet stores usually didn't have fish, but dept stores had pet areas with fish. The vast majority of fish sources were hobbyists who started selling fish from their basements. They dealt with wholesalers and were also breeding their own, or bought from local hobbyists/breeders. It was a win/win on multiple levels, including being able to deal with someone with a lot of knowledge on the hobby. That probably went on, in this area, probably until the 90s, by which time the storefront LFSs became the norm.
At any physical store I go into the first thing I'm "looking" for is the smell. Our LFS (there's a chain of it but they specialise in fish) has a wonderful salty smell because they have a salt water section. Even as you get right up to the fish section it is all clean smelling water. Then I look at the fish they aren't selling (they have an angel and platy display and the fish are absolutely huge, but they're in amazing health with amazing colours). And then it's staff - almost all the staff keep their own fish at home....and that's important to me.
We have no mom pop fish stores here. We have a big box about 35-40 minutes from me. We use to have six local fish stores back when I got my first tank. 😢
I think a store having a guarantee shows they are confident in the health of their fish and that is more important than actually getting the fish replaced
I am an impulses buyer too but thanks to John and Jason I have learnt from my mistake and make sure to keep a spare tank just in case needed. I'm from India where Aquarium hobby is on the rise but not many are yet educated how to keep our fish alive. Thank you both for another wonderful episode 🙏
I recently bought 3 female calico koi swordtails from my local petsmart which I normally NEVER do because I DO NOT trust petsmart as far as I can throw them 9 times out of 10 there are sick and dying or dead fish everytime I go. That being said I will be quarantining these girls for 2 months to be extra safe and they do look very good and are eating great so far! I picked them up because I needed females for my male and it was the only local place by me that happened to have them 😅 (I live by 4 other lfs ) 😅 but as a general rule I never buy fish from petsmart
My biggest frustration is trying to find wildtype blue acara, when everyone has “electric blue acara,” which not only lack those beautiful wild spangles, but are also literally twice the price. Might end up resorting to ordering fish online for the first time as a result.
I really appreciate when online sellers have a weather policy for shipping. I live in a very cold climate, so my window to safely receive shipped fish is short. I would hate for someone to send them any time, which I've seen as an option.
Just a pointer, go the shop more than twice... Went to a shop a couple of times and things seemed ok, then went a third time to view and in one tank there was a dead and quite decayed and eaten fish, and in a couple of others there were fish with bloated tummies and some with deformed spines. I happened to mention it to a staff member and they didn't seem that bothered... I won't be buying fish from that store.. but I may have if I hadn't been that third time
It's always a good idea to quarantine. Even when I buy from Jason, who is quasi local to me, and I know he quarantines for a month, you just don't know. My water is just different enough that, sometimes the fish don't take to it. I've bought many Cory Cats, and while the Julis do fine, I lost all the orange lasers and had I just dropped them in a 75, who knows if I would have found the bodies or not.
I'm totally in that controlled impulse buying group. Most of the time when I see a fish I fall in love with, I try to figure out if it's reasonable to take home. Even if it's inconvenient I would try to find a way. If it's not possible then I keep that species in mind and wait until it's possible to take home. Definitely hard to control those impulse purchases lol. I'd hate to say it, but the tank itself does play a role in how I perceive the store. It doesn't have to be anything special. But if the tank is all scratched up, or full of algae I'm much less likely to purchase fish from that store. It would have to be multiple tanks though, not 1 or 2 with some very mild green spot algae here and there
i literally have stocking lists for all my tanks and I always go in with a strategy to avoid impulse purchasing, but Im consistently doing controlled impulse buys 😂
I totally agree with you guys. I live in Saint Louis, and my favorite fish store was located in well... the hood: One time, I was walking into this store, and there was a full-on police chase right behind me. But when I walked in, I was welcomed with a smile and caring for employees. I shopped their many times until it shut down 1 year ago. I went to their other location about 45 minutes away, and guess what! That employee was there and was so happy to see me after a whole year and still remembered me. So nice and have great products. This store is called Aqua world.
I love the part of purchasing fish. But I understand the impulse buy. I been through store and see a fish I would love to have. However, I like you guys know if you don’t have a place for it, you are doing a disservice to that fish. Love the podcast, keep up the good work.
Just catching up. I too have controlled impulse buying. I went to Petco for decoration ideas, had already set up a tank for my newest dream fish- Bolivian Rams. Was surprised to find them there that day. Still, went home and made sure my quarantine tank was 100% then went back the next day and they were still there!
I have watched all podcasts on Fish keeping, you guys together are fantastic. I finally found the information I needed about filters from you. Keep on doing what you’re doing. I love it.
My local fish store usually has a couple of 6 packs in the cooler by the register. Sometimes you get good info, sometimes you get "The Family Guy" character drunk guy across the bar ( and I'm stoping on my lunch break). Occasionally find random bags of dead fish that he forgot where he put them. Lots of times no employees know what's in the tank because he forgets to mark them when new fish come in....I'll stick with swaps and auctions as much as I can.
@TheTankTalkPodcast Elizabeth W. here. They are still open. However I hate going on I 95 to get there. Londontowne Tropicals or House of Tropicals is a little easier for me to get to, and I love their stores and selection.
I know fish stores that as soon as they get the fish in they are sold asap.I lose out on some good fish deals.But I,m glad I,m about to start practicing what you guys are preaching.😊😊😊😊
Hey Jason, just want to tell you how amazing of a transformation your fish gallery was. I moved two tanks myself and it took forever, can’t imagine how long your process took.
Pet stores are horrible about giving out information. Too many employees are hired off the street. Usually young people just looking for a job so they have spending money or college money and zero knowledge of what they're talking about. Usually, very little training as well.
This is one of my favorite episodes so far. Great topic and I loved the information. I just want to say I was at my favorite pet shop and I asked the employee a question about fish combatiblity and she didn't know. She looked at me and said, "I don't know but hold on." She got her phone out of her pocket and looked it up. She then told me yes but that's according to Google and this website. I felt very good thatvshe didn't know and said so but got the information right then so we would both know. That when I decided I'm doing more business with them.
The fish store I go to recognize my wife and I now we go so much we love going there because they are very knowledgeable, I can't remember seeing any dead fish and decent selection of fish.
FOMO is a huge problem in reefing. So many stores post on FB get this 1 fish while it finally came in so they don’t have to QT it at all, and a one week guarantee is useless in reefing. Especially when pros even lose certain species after 2-3 months of care.
My favorite thing about having fish is the work that it involved in it. I love cleaning and maintaining my tank and keeping the parameters in check is just so much fun to me, pluss gives me something to do while im at home on my days off of work. Buying fish for me is scary because idk if those cichlids i buy will get along with the ones in my tank. I do find that if u buy smaller fish than the ones u got in your tank with cichlids along with other cichlids, of course, they seem to get along well and when a bigger one picks on t he smaller one its alot easier for the small fish to hide and take a break from the bully and as they grow up they seem to get along fine, but when i buy similar sized ones they always fight with each other. Im sure its different for everyone when buying fish but that just my experience buying african cichlids. And always buy 3-4 or more when u do so it spreads out the aggression, the bigger fish will loose sight of the fish its chasing becuase there all bunched up togther.
John, I couldn't believe it when you said you liked the smell of cigarette smoke because I do too and I never hear anyone else say that. Outside, a waft of it is just really really enjoyable, lol
My wife is usually the impulse buyer. I'll make a remark about a particular fish and she is "Let's get some" to which the first thing I say is what tank can we put them in. Now on occasion the "bug" hits me too (the last time was an impulse buy of a Columbian Zebra Pleco) but I always make sure I know something about the fish before buying. Back in the '60's when I started in this hobby I made a LOT of mistakes that cost a lot of fish lives. Hopefully over the years I have learned a little something.
Imperial Tropicals is great. They do a live stream on TH-cam every Friday at noon (eastern time). He walks through their warehouse, and if you message during the live stream he will try to show you the fish he has in stock. Quality service, overnight shipping with delivery by noon, a little pricey but have placed 5 different orders in the last year without any problems.
I’m guilty of impulse buying as recently as last year but over the passed few years, it has been the “controlled impulse” type buying where it’s a fish that I know about, something I know will get along with the fish I have, or a type of fish I already have. Like “Oh that one is bigger than the ones I already have ! I’ll add him to my school !”. As for good and bad fish stores, CK Fish World in West Covina, CA is easily the best fish store in Southern California. I hate that town but it is a big store with a big selection of healthy fish, hardscape material, and supplies. There’s also another store in an affluent Orange County town that is just as big with just as much selection and just as clean looking, but lots of tanks with fish with diseases or dead fish. Some stores are messy or straight up disgusting and all hot/humid, not fun to be in, but the fish are super healthy. One of my favorite stores is arranged in a way where I feel claustrophobic if I spend too much time in there but it has some of the healthiest high quality fish around. I’ve never gotten fish online or from a swap tho.
As for the best store that goes to Mark and his staff at Aquarium Unlimited in Virginia Beach. I was so in awe I didn’t take pictures. Mark did take one 😂
Unfortunately my closest fish shop is not very good. They constantly have dead fish in the tanks; they don't quarantine at all. One time I pointed out to an employee that their betas were fighting (6 betas in a What looked like a maximum 10gal tank with no plants) and the tank next to it the male beta was flaring... he said "oh yeah, they do that sometimes..." 😱 I was so shocked!
One thing I notice is where are the fish at in a big box store. Sometimes the fish might be way in the back of the store. I wonder how are there fish sales going. If that mean there aquariums are not being clean and water changes being done.
Gerbers in Dayton Ohio is rough looking outside but in side they have one of the most impressive filtration systems and healthy tanks ive ever seen. Salt and fresh water. And an OVERWHELMING selection from nano to MONSTERS. Never judge a book by the cover for sure.😅😅😅
I have horrible LFS or big box stores. I had my hopes dashed when a store was sold and moved across town. I wouldn't buy from them in the past due to the husbandry of their tanks. Went in, and the old owner is there, sick fish everywhere, including on the floor! No one quarantines around me.
Enjoyed this one. The “guarantee” is honestly meaningless to me. Ive never used this guarantee because based on what you all covered, making sure fish are healthy and really look at what you’re buying before you do. I haven’t had many losses in my 15 years of fish keeping. Otto’s and neon tetras are the only ones I struggle with.
After coming back to this 'hobby' after a 40+ year pause, 2 -1/2 years ago, you two have been my best source of information and research , (I'll add Cory & Dean @ Aquarium -co-op) Good stuff. Like, whoever heard of a sponge filter in the 70's? I was stupid and didn't even know enough to test tank water! So, here I am getting educated again by the some of the best. You are my encyclopedia. Just got my first batch of cherry shrimp today.
Hi, I have a problem, I’ve never had fish breed in my tank , I have bristle nose sucker fish and I have babies everywhere, do I need to separate babies from male or female and what is the best to feed them. I would really appreciate your help
I wish I never found ordering fish online. No joke I think I had a delivery every Saturday for months. When I go to swaps I don’t carry to much cash otherwise yep cooler full of fish
I have only ever bought 1 fish that I couldn’t raise back to health,(long enough to call healthy), this being said I have seen plenty of sick fish at fish stores, so definitely don’t assume it’s the store either, some fish don’t ship well. My LFS tends to avoid those species and if there is a local supply from a fish keeper will buy those instead. And it’s very common for fish keepers to make the mistake they are trying to avoid and that’s how they learn to avoid it. The price of fish usually doesn’t factor in just, is the fish healthy? How does the tank look? Do I have the right set up? What do I need? By the way, does anyone want sulphur heads? Got a couple hundred right now in fry boxes
Maybe a tutorial on how to clean an aquarium that the guppies keep reproducing. I have a 20 Long that I have not been able to clean properly because I siphon guppy babies all the time. Then I have net them in the old water to put them back... It's a planted tank. I have them for over two years. but recently I added more plants and have noticed more snails and algae bloom... HELP!!!
Can you help me with this I have a flual 15g All I 1 Tank with Batt in with it I like to put a BlueRam or Apistogramma in with him I wich both of you all on TH-cam I give you all both a star
ive had an "oscar" tank set up and running for 3 weeks. ill buy the oscar in maybe 6 months... need the blue acaras, tapajos, and anadoras to grow. its real hard not to buy the oscar.
Ooooh... I know which store you're referring to, Jason. I have noticed you never mention them by name. Now I understand. I will stop bringing them up on the show.
My big box store in town doesn’t turn the lights on in their tanks. I asked why and was told it keeps the algae down! Never heard of something so stupid! Makes me think employees are lazy. I know some stores don’t have enough employees but come on, this definitely does not look good for the store.
Ha ha you have a great memory! In my defense I said in the podcast "I like the smell", I didn't say I liked smoking lol. I haven't had a cigarette since 1999. (John)
@@TheTankTalkPodcast I just caught on to your collaboration with Jason so thank you because now I'm stuck watching 8 hours worth of your collaboration videos today!🤔😬🤗😇
When you've owned as many fish throughout the years as these two have. The temptation is much weaker and the control much stronger with experience in the hobby.😅😅😅😅
"I don't know," from the store owner would be really off-putting unless: 1.) The question went beyond basic care. It wouldn't bother me if they didn't know how to breed every fish in the shop, for example. 2.) The answer is commonly debated on discussion boards I frequent, in which case it's possible that there is no single "right" way to do it. 3.) They didn't order the fish in question and do not normally stock it; it was sent as the result of supplier error, or they acquired it in some other unexpected way. In that case, I would at least hope to sense some curiosity or desire to learn about the animal. That might be an unrealistically high bar, but I'm a bit of a research junkie myself, and I'm just a newish hobbyist. If I got paid to keep and know about fish, I'd probably be absolutely insufferable, a walking encyclopedia.
One weird thing I look for in online retailers is negative reviews. No retailer will ever have 100% positive reviews, so if a site doesn't have negative reviews, it makes me think they're deleting/hiding complaints. Plus, negative reviews give a good idea of likely problems you might run into, and then you can decide if those are problems you're willing to potentially take on.
Thanks for doing these videos, I'm loving them!
I started keeping fish in 1960, as a 12 year old. Local pet stores usually didn't have fish, but dept stores had pet areas with fish. The vast majority of fish sources were hobbyists who started selling fish from their basements. They dealt with wholesalers and were also breeding their own, or bought from local hobbyists/breeders. It was a win/win on multiple levels, including being able to deal with someone with a lot of knowledge on the hobby. That probably went on, in this area, probably until the 90s, by which time the storefront LFSs became the norm.
At any physical store I go into the first thing I'm "looking" for is the smell.
Our LFS (there's a chain of it but they specialise in fish) has a wonderful salty smell because they have a salt water section. Even as you get right up to the fish section it is all clean smelling water.
Then I look at the fish they aren't selling (they have an angel and platy display and the fish are absolutely huge, but they're in amazing health with amazing colours).
And then it's staff - almost all the staff keep their own fish at home....and that's important to me.
We have no mom pop fish stores here. We have a big box about 35-40 minutes from me. We use to have six local fish stores back when I got my first tank. 😢
I think a store having a guarantee shows they are confident in the health of their fish and that is more important than actually getting the fish replaced
I am an impulses buyer too but thanks to John and Jason I have learnt from my mistake and make sure to keep a spare tank just in case needed. I'm from India where Aquarium hobby is on the rise but not many are yet educated how to keep our fish alive. Thank you both for another wonderful episode 🙏
I recently bought 3 female calico koi swordtails from my local petsmart which I normally NEVER do because I DO NOT trust petsmart as far as I can throw them 9 times out of 10 there are sick and dying or dead fish everytime I go. That being said I will be quarantining these girls for 2 months to be extra safe and they do look very good and are eating great so far! I picked them up because I needed females for my male and it was the only local place by me that happened to have them 😅 (I live by 4 other lfs ) 😅 but as a general rule I never buy fish from petsmart
My biggest frustration is trying to find wildtype blue acara, when everyone has “electric blue acara,” which not only lack those beautiful wild spangles, but are also literally twice the price. Might end up resorting to ordering fish online for the first time as a result.
I really appreciate when online sellers have a weather policy for shipping. I live in a very cold climate, so my window to safely receive shipped fish is short. I would hate for someone to send them any time, which I've seen as an option.
Just a pointer, go the shop more than twice... Went to a shop a couple of times and things seemed ok, then went a third time to view and in one tank there was a dead and quite decayed and eaten fish, and in a couple of others there were fish with bloated tummies and some with deformed spines. I happened to mention it to a staff member and they didn't seem that bothered... I won't be buying fish from that store.. but I may have if I hadn't been that third time
It's always a good idea to quarantine. Even when I buy from Jason, who is quasi local to me, and I know he quarantines for a month, you just don't know. My water is just different enough that, sometimes the fish don't take to it. I've bought many Cory Cats, and while the Julis do fine, I lost all the orange lasers and had I just dropped them in a 75, who knows if I would have found the bodies or not.
I'm totally in that controlled impulse buying group. Most of the time when I see a fish I fall in love with, I try to figure out if it's reasonable to take home. Even if it's inconvenient I would try to find a way. If it's not possible then I keep that species in mind and wait until it's possible to take home. Definitely hard to control those impulse purchases lol.
I'd hate to say it, but the tank itself does play a role in how I perceive the store. It doesn't have to be anything special. But if the tank is all scratched up, or full of algae I'm much less likely to purchase fish from that store. It would have to be multiple tanks though, not 1 or 2 with some very mild green spot algae here and there
i literally have stocking lists for all my tanks and I always go in with a strategy to avoid impulse purchasing, but Im consistently doing controlled impulse buys 😂
I totally agree with you guys. I live in Saint Louis, and my favorite fish store was located in well... the hood: One time, I was walking into this store, and there was a full-on police chase right behind me.
But when I walked in, I was welcomed with a smile and caring for employees. I shopped their many times until it shut down 1 year ago. I went to their other location about 45 minutes away, and guess what! That employee was there and was so happy to see me after a whole year and still remembered me. So nice and have great products. This store is called Aqua world.
I love the part of purchasing fish. But I understand the impulse buy. I been through store and see a fish I would love to have. However, I like you guys know if you don’t have a place for it, you are doing a disservice to that fish.
Love the podcast, keep up the good work.
Just catching up. I too have controlled impulse buying. I went to Petco for decoration ideas, had already set up a tank for my newest dream fish- Bolivian Rams. Was surprised to find them there that day. Still, went home and made sure my quarantine tank was 100% then went back the next day and they were still there!
I have watched all podcasts on Fish keeping, you guys together are fantastic. I finally found the information I needed about filters from you. Keep on doing what you’re doing. I love it.
My local fish store usually has a couple of 6 packs in the cooler by the register. Sometimes you get good info, sometimes you get "The Family Guy" character drunk guy across the bar ( and I'm stoping on my lunch break). Occasionally find random bags of dead fish that he forgot where he put them. Lots of times no employees know what's in the tank because he forgets to mark them when new fish come in....I'll stick with swaps and auctions as much as I can.
watching my african cichlids and clown loaches with a good smoke is one of my favorite ways to unwind.
Great episode, love it!
Thank you for the great episode!!
i got my Rummynose Rasboras from Dave at NOVA Tropicals! Beautiful store.
Did they shut down? I heard they did. (John)
@TheTankTalkPodcast Elizabeth W. here. They are still open. However I hate going on I 95 to get there. Londontowne Tropicals or House of Tropicals is a little easier for me to get to, and I love their stores and selection.
@@TheTankTalkPodcastthey’re still there!
Shout outs from Ft Myers!
I know fish stores that as soon as they get the fish in they are sold asap.I lose out on some good fish deals.But I,m glad I,m about to start practicing what you guys are preaching.😊😊😊😊
Hey Jason, just want to tell you how amazing of a transformation your fish gallery was. I moved two tanks myself and it took forever, can’t imagine how long your process took.
Lol I have severe impulse buying for both fish and houseplants. Every time I don’t know where they’ll go but when there’s a will there’s a way.
Pet stores are horrible about giving out information. Too many employees are hired off the street. Usually young people just looking for a job so they have spending money or college money and zero knowledge of what they're talking about. Usually, very little training as well.
This is one of my favorite episodes so far. Great topic and I loved the information. I just want to say I was at my favorite pet shop and I asked the employee a question about fish combatiblity and she didn't know. She looked at me and said, "I don't know but hold on." She got her phone out of her pocket and looked it up. She then told me yes but that's according to Google and this website. I felt very good thatvshe didn't know and said so but got the information right then so we would both know. That when I decided I'm doing more business with them.
The fish store I go to recognize my wife and I now we go so much we love going there because they are very knowledgeable, I can't remember seeing any dead fish and decent selection of fish.
Thank you both! This was a great topic, very informative!
FOMO is a huge problem in reefing. So many stores post on FB get this 1 fish while it finally came in so they don’t have to QT it at all, and a one week guarantee is useless in reefing. Especially when pros even lose certain species after 2-3 months of care.
My favorite thing about having fish is the work that it involved in it. I love cleaning and maintaining my tank and keeping the parameters in check is just so much fun to me, pluss gives me something to do while im at home on my days off of work. Buying fish for me is scary because idk if those cichlids i buy will get along with the ones in my tank. I do find that if u buy smaller fish than the ones u got in your tank with cichlids along with other cichlids, of course, they seem to get along well and when a bigger one picks on t he smaller one its alot easier for the small fish to hide and take a break from the bully and as they grow up they seem to get along fine, but when i buy similar sized ones they always fight with each other. Im sure its different for everyone when buying fish but that just my experience buying african cichlids. And always buy 3-4 or more when u do so it spreads out the aggression, the bigger fish will loose sight of the fish its chasing becuase there all bunched up togther.
John, I couldn't believe it when you said you liked the smell of cigarette smoke because I do too and I never hear anyone else say that. Outside, a waft of it is just really really enjoyable, lol
My wife is usually the impulse buyer. I'll make a remark about a particular fish and she is "Let's get some" to which the first thing I say is what tank can we put them in. Now on occasion the "bug" hits me too (the last time was an impulse buy of a Columbian Zebra Pleco) but I always make sure I know something about the fish before buying. Back in the '60's when I started in this hobby I made a LOT of mistakes that cost a lot of fish lives. Hopefully over the years I have learned a little something.
Imperial Tropicals is great. They do a live stream on TH-cam every Friday at noon (eastern time). He walks through their warehouse, and if you message during the live stream he will try to show you the fish he has in stock. Quality service, overnight shipping with delivery by noon, a little pricey but have placed 5 different orders in the last year without any problems.
I’m new to the hobby and really enjoy both you guys. Great info all the time. Thx for content👍🏻🤜🏻
Just did an impulse guy yesterday. Stingray. But in the back of my head I kinda new I had 125g to use until he grows out
Nova Tropicals was my favorite place. They just closed! So bummed.
Excellent podcast. Loving the Monday releases, too. Something to look forward to after a long day at work.
Luckily the 2 big box stores near me put info and the size of fish on the bottom of each tank so you can make an informed choice.
The policy on fish deaths at the store I work for is 7 days and must return to the store with the body and a separate water sample.
Great podcast topic! Very educational- much appreciated!
I’m guilty of impulse buying as recently as last year but over the passed few years, it has been the “controlled impulse” type buying where it’s a fish that I know about, something I know will get along with the fish I have, or a type of fish I already have. Like “Oh that one is bigger than the ones I already have ! I’ll add him to my school !”. As for good and bad fish stores, CK Fish World in West Covina, CA is easily the best fish store in Southern California. I hate that town but it is a big store with a big selection of healthy fish, hardscape material, and supplies. There’s also another store in an affluent Orange County town that is just as big with just as much selection and just as clean looking, but lots of tanks with fish with diseases or dead fish. Some stores are messy or straight up disgusting and all hot/humid, not fun to be in, but the fish are super healthy. One of my favorite stores is arranged in a way where I feel claustrophobic if I spend too much time in there but it has some of the healthiest high quality fish around. I’ve never gotten fish online or from a swap tho.
Love watching
As for the best store that goes to Mark and his staff at Aquarium Unlimited in Virginia Beach. I was so in awe I didn’t take pictures. Mark did take one 😂
Unfortunately my closest fish shop is not very good.
They constantly have dead fish in the tanks; they don't quarantine at all.
One time I pointed out to an employee that their betas were fighting (6 betas in a What looked like a maximum 10gal tank with no plants) and the tank next to it the male beta was flaring... he said "oh yeah, they do that sometimes..." 😱
I was so shocked!
One thing I notice is where are the fish at in a big box store.
Sometimes the fish might be way in the back of the store. I wonder how are there fish sales going.
If that mean there aquariums are not being clean and water changes being done.
Gerbers in Dayton Ohio is rough looking outside but in side they have one of the most impressive filtration systems and healthy tanks ive ever seen. Salt and fresh water. And an OVERWHELMING selection from nano to MONSTERS. Never judge a book by the cover for sure.😅😅😅
I have horrible LFS or big box stores. I had my hopes dashed when a store was sold and moved across town. I wouldn't buy from them in the past due to the husbandry of their tanks. Went in, and the old owner is there, sick fish everywhere, including on the floor! No one quarantines around me.
Bought my betta on impulse almost a year ago. He didn’t do well in my community tank, so I had to separate him. Still have him though.
Also- Hampton roads is so bad for the smell of weed getting into a car behind the smoker- ugh!
Setting off fireworks? Let me guess, does it revolve around a company that starts with the letter A and a last letter of mazon? 😂
I always feel so let down when I hear about a fish store with unique fish and when I get there it's nothing but dimly lit tanks and sunken belly fish.
Enjoyed this one. The “guarantee” is honestly meaningless to me. Ive never used this guarantee because based on what you all covered, making sure fish are healthy and really look at what you’re buying before you do. I haven’t had many losses in my 15 years of fish keeping. Otto’s and neon tetras are the only ones I struggle with.
Test the water in the bag? That should give you the parameters.
How I can know were this shows are, am in PHILADELPHIA PA and I will like to go to one or the Daytona i
After coming back to this 'hobby' after a 40+ year pause, 2 -1/2 years ago, you two have been my best source of information and research , (I'll add Cory & Dean @ Aquarium -co-op) Good stuff. Like, whoever heard of a sponge filter in the 70's? I was stupid and didn't even know enough to test tank water! So, here I am getting educated again by the some of the best. You are my encyclopedia. Just got my first batch of cherry shrimp today.
Hi, I have a problem, I’ve never had fish breed in my tank , I have bristle nose sucker fish and I have babies everywhere, do I need to separate babies from male or female and what is the best to feed them. I would really appreciate your help
Impulse buying fish is as bad as going food shopping when you're hungry. You buy things you really shouldn't.
Jerry fish shopping is like going into a chocolate factory hungry
I wish I never found ordering fish online. No joke I think I had a delivery every Saturday for months. When I go to swaps I don’t carry to much cash otherwise yep cooler full of fish
I have only ever bought 1 fish that I couldn’t raise back to health,(long enough to call healthy), this being said I have seen plenty of sick fish at fish stores, so definitely don’t assume it’s the store either, some fish don’t ship well. My LFS tends to avoid those species and if there is a local supply from a fish keeper will buy those instead. And it’s very common for fish keepers to make the mistake they are trying to avoid and that’s how they learn to avoid it. The price of fish usually doesn’t factor in just, is the fish healthy? How does the tank look? Do I have the right set up? What do I need? By the way, does anyone want sulphur heads? Got a couple hundred right now in fry boxes
Lol. I'm 100% with John on MaryJane. I hate the smell, glad it's legal, and LOVE the smell of Cigarette smoke. 🤣
Maybe a tutorial on how to clean an aquarium that the guppies keep reproducing. I have a 20 Long that I have not been able to clean properly because I siphon guppy babies all the time. Then I have net them in the old water to put them back... It's a planted tank. I have them for over two years. but recently I added more plants and have noticed more snails and algae bloom... HELP!!!
Algae isnt always bad. Maybe they were going to use the Algae tank for algae eaters...
Very true
I had to teach a Petco employee the difference between a male and female Guppy 😂🤓🐠🎸
My Pappy LOVES the smell of a lit cigarette. I don't pretend to understand it, but it is what it is.
My wife will look for neat places to eat.... I research the area she chooses for fish shops to check out she says I have a problem
My petco said we got a shipment tomorrow come back tomorrow 🙄
I could not agree with you more it’s my therapy
Can you help me with this I have a flual 15g All I 1 Tank with Batt in with it I like to put a BlueRam or Apistogramma in with him I wich both of you all on TH-cam I give you all both a star
ive had an "oscar" tank set up and running for 3 weeks. ill buy the oscar in maybe 6 months... need the blue acaras, tapajos, and anadoras to grow.
its real hard not to buy the oscar.
My wife and learned a very expensive lesson with Buying a dogs on line
Not once but Twice losing alot of money both times
😢😢😢😢😢😢
Ooooh... I know which store you're referring to, Jason. I have noticed you never mention them by name. Now I understand. I will stop bringing them up on the show.
My big box store in town doesn’t turn the lights on in their tanks. I asked why and was told it keeps the algae down! Never heard of something so stupid! Makes me think employees are lazy. I know some stores don’t have enough employees but come on, this definitely does not look good for the store.
Where are these swaps???
If you’re in the Northern Illinois area. Green water has a swap in Tinley Park. Also GCCA. Quad City never been but I’m thinking April
Problem with Box stores. They sell dog, cat, birds, fish. So its all too much for the employee to really know about each kind of animal.
I bred a new species of fish, I call it psuedotrophius-dorritos-locos
John, KickingButs🤔😬😉😇 Was a TH-cam channel of his.😬
I think he said he likes the smell of ordinary cigarettes😳
Ha ha you have a great memory! In my defense I said in the podcast "I like the smell", I didn't say I liked smoking lol. I haven't had a cigarette since 1999. (John)
@@TheTankTalkPodcast
I just caught on to your collaboration with Jason so thank you because now I'm stuck watching 8 hours worth of your collaboration videos today!🤔😬🤗😇
Nothing like quick cycling a tank and being able to put fish in fast , then getting a big delivery , it’s like Christmas morning
The first question I ask is do you buy fish from Hobbits? For me I will not buy from them if the answer is no.
Do you like the smell of a skunk?😅 I actually do. But wouldn't if I was sprayed by one. Lol
When you've owned as many fish throughout the years as these two have. The temptation is much weaker and the control much stronger with experience in the hobby.😅😅😅😅
"I don't know," from the store owner would be really off-putting unless: 1.) The question went beyond basic care. It wouldn't bother me if they didn't know how to breed every fish in the shop, for example. 2.) The answer is commonly debated on discussion boards I frequent, in which case it's possible that there is no single "right" way to do it. 3.) They didn't order the fish in question and do not normally stock it; it was sent as the result of supplier error, or they acquired it in some other unexpected way. In that case, I would at least hope to sense some curiosity or desire to learn about the animal. That might be an unrealistically high bar, but I'm a bit of a research junkie myself, and I'm just a newish hobbyist. If I got paid to keep and know about fish, I'd probably be absolutely insufferable, a walking encyclopedia.
John…talking WAY too much. STOP being rude to Jason. He is so gracious sitting there listening to you droning on and on and on. STOP!!
If you find a good provider of fish stick to it
I avoid any experience and if it worked before will keep it
Facebook? Nearest local fish store 2 hours away. Petco sucks