It's amazing some of you people can keep fish alive...?

Question

I have freshwater, brackish and saltwater tanks.
I've read through questions and answers here for quite a while. I am amazed that some of you people can keep fish alive at all. Even some of you so called fish experts. I know I've still got a lot to learn... Everything I know, I've learned from experience, or reading. The reading only helps to a certain point. You can find 3 different things about the same fish, but they all say different things about them. I've given up asking people at the pet stores... most of the time, what they tell me is completely wrong. Never trust anything that people at PetCo or PetsMart say. I've only met 2 people that worked at those places that had a clue. There are a few people on here that I can tell have a clue about fish, but not many. Why, if you have no experience or knowledge of what a person is asking about, do you answer the question? All you're doing is giving bad advice and killing fish.

If you have any questions or comments, please, by all means. I'll respond to them.

I agree...do your own research...It's fine to ask questions, but don't believe what you are told. (Betta's and Oscars for example). Answers will point you in a good starting direction.

I've got 14 different tanks. 1 brackish, 3 saltwater(one is an experiment...I have some type of jellyfish looking thing in it. If you have any clue as to what they are, let me know...) and the rest freshwater. All but 2 of those are planted.

I'm not referring to stuff that is new or being learned. I'm referring to stuff like people always saying that Bettas can't be put with other fish, Oscars and some of the goldfish being ok in 10 or 20 gallon tanks, whether or not fish are brackish or fresh water. Stuff like that, that even just a little research would show what the answer is.

I'm mainly referring to the questions and answers on here. But to respond to the point about the managers, they are just about as clueless as the hourly people, at least in my experience.

Answer 1

I read through the responses and wonder how anyone would know what is or is not the truth. The answers vary so much that if you truely didn't know you would be more confused than ever. I agree with you on the PetCo and PetsMart (MOST) of those people don't really know or don't care the best is by trial and error, knowledge is power. Another hint, if you go to a pet store and the person listens to half of what you have to say and then recommends a cure bet it is probably wrong! I once had a pet store owner tell me my oscar had star gazers disease and would die within a few days nothing you can do about it. I went home and searched the web for star gazers disease (ie constipation) I put some Doc's aquarium salt in the water the poor baby took a huge poop and was great! I changed his diet to incorporate roughage and he never had constipation again!

Answer 2

I understand your opinion on this issue. I have been keeping fish for the past few years, granted I am no expert, but have done extensive research on the processes, health issues, types, and tricks of the trade. Walking into some of the commercial fish stores such as Petco and Petsmart disgust me at time because the lack of care that is given to these beautiful fish, and especially the lack of knowledge by their associates.

People answer questions thinking they know the answers because people inherently believe they are correct in their knowledge. Well, unfortunately that is incorrect. There are very few absolutes in the world of Fish Keeping, however, there are so many things that must/should be done in order to have a healthy aqua-environment! Propers filtering, Plants and 'decorations,' fertilization, medications, water changes, cycling, water parameters, etc... its ridiculous how much that has to go in. Granted, there are those out there that just have luck, but for those perfect settings, gotta do the research and spend the time learning.

I have 2 10gallon FW tanks, and a 30gallon freshwater community tank that is planted. I love fish keeping and take every opportunity to spread the love of this hobby and "correct" some people's 'knowledge' on the subject matter...

Check out some of the sites below for some forums!

Answer 3

Its like medicine... its not an exact science. Anyone can create a website, anyone can write a book on it. We constantly learn new things about salt water reef keeping and what was the norm just 5 years ago, is now old news. Wet dry filtration wasn't as popular ten years ago, now its all over. UV sterilizers were too expensive for most and now are easier to purchase then they were.... I've been in the business for 9 yrs and for each business I worked for, and when having my own business I always had different opinions on whats right or wrong. You take what you can from each experience. Everyone will have a different idea of what they "think" is correct. I just comment on whats worked for me, can't say its right or wrong, just my experience. "shrugs" Live and learn, and pass it on.

Answer 4

I disagree. If you talk to the manager of the fish department they are likely to know the answer to your question. But the sales associates that help you get the fish out of the tanks don't specialize in that department so they can only tell you what they've been trained. Most people on here are going off of what they've learned but every tank is different so what they tell may not work.

Answer 5

How do you get rid of the red algae in saltwater tanks other than crabs and snails?

Answer 6

i have been dealing with fresh water fish for the last 13 years, Bettachris, is glad to help anyone who wants help.

here is his free fish forum, http://fishroom.proboards106.com/index.cgi

and his homepage: http://www.freewebs.com/fishroom/
And his ranked #69/365 betta page: http://www.freewebs.com/bettachris

Answer 7

This is a question? True,but not a question.

Answer 8

I agree with your opinion.