Why aren't people getting their cycle going first?

Question

I'm amazed how many questions get put here about fish problems that are related to not letting the tank age and cycle properly before introducing fish, and then testing their water for readiness. People really should do their research before they get into fish. I also blame the stores that sell people entire tank setups and fish without any questions asked, I think that's terrible and could constitute animal cruelty. People buy things like tropical saltwater fish and wonder why they're dead inside of a day or two!!? Fish aren't like most other pets it takes weeks between beginning preperation and getting your fish.
Who is to blame? The pet store? The over-keen buyer? Both? Does this indeed constiture cruelty or am I just a bit of a soft touch for my many fishy friends?

Answer 1

I think the people really to blame here are these pet stores that don't train their employees properly for the things they sell

I think it's great though that we have a site here where people actually come on and ask questions, that means they at least care for their animals

Just a perfect example I saw last time I was at petco, a mom and her daughter bought a new fish tank and at the same time a bunch of fish to go into the tank?!?! And the employee sold it to them

So who is the victim in all of this? The fish of course because a lot of people don't care or are wrong informed

A lot of questions here also related to people who got told one thing in the store, but are unsure if that is the truth or not

So I just say thank you for this site and am happy when I can make some body's day by telling them things by own experience or what I have learned from others, and believe me I have learned a lot on here



EB

Answer 2

I was one who didn't let my tank cycle first.... My girlfriend texts me at work saying I have a visitor... She had a fantail goldfish in a 2.5 gallon bowl.. So I went out and bought a bigger tank to keep him in. I researched and researched for about a week how to keep them. I've got another tank that I did cycle before I got fish for it, and I've only had 1 die since I've had it, and it was becuase the PET STORE GUY told me I could put bumble bee gobies with my guppies... And they destroyed one of them. =thanks pet store guy=. I didn't overstock my tanks either, a couple every so often. Many people think they can just get fish and they live in tap water and as long as the decor in the tank looks good, the fish will live. Or people think that fish only live for a couple months. I care for my fish like they're my kids now. I check water, change water, clean the tank, feed them. So now I've got a fantail goldfish, 2 albino cory's, in one tank... 3 white clouds, 3 guppies, 2 green cory's in another tank... I also just had guppy fry yesterday, so I've got them in the 2.5 gallon bowl. Some people just need to realize that fish are animals and need to take care of them like you would any other animal. There are also so many misleading websites for fish... That's why it's good people come on here to ask. Everyone has different opinions, but everything you said in your question.... You the nail on the head.

Answer 3

I actually found many of the sales people (kids) at my local store knew less than we did. Im still shocked when I buy several fish and no one questions. I have five tanks that I have been working on for 8 months and I just cycled a sixth.

Answer 4

Pet stores - should also take some responsibility too. They should give an instructional sheet to customers who bought a fish tank or fishes. Usually the person who serve customers are either "casual" staff members or staff who lack communicational skills.
I've never heard of the word "cycling" until I noticed my tank turns cloudy. It would help if the staff told me about this before I bought fishes you know. They sold me air filter; a heater; water conditioner etc with a total cost of $150 for a basic set-up. Who to blame here? Once the sale is done - next customer is served.
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I also like to add that some articles mentioned that you need a few fish to help with the cycling of water...information sounded conflicting isn't it?

Answer 5

i think it's mostly people's ignorance to the complexity that is fish keeping. they think it's just a fish fish in a bowl and that all they need is some water to be in and they'll be fine.
assuming that they are so easy to care for, they don't bother to look up what's needed to keep a healthy tank. they think it's literally just fish and water.

Answer 6

i have had cichlids for many years and not proud of it but i have never cycled my tanks,, and never had problems,, maybe it is i have always had oscars and red devils very tough fish but i can honestly say i have never done it, i do use a dechlorinater but other than that just used a brand new setup with stress coat and stress zyme put fish in same day,, so i know you are supposed to cycle but never had a need for it, or maybe i have just been lucky.

Answer 7

its over zealous people, if you buy a car its not their responsiblity to tell you not to drive drunk at 100mph through someones house, of course their going to sell you whatever you want, their a business, duh!! that being said i think that it is a much better policy to educate people, you may lose a few dollars on your first few sales, but a repeat customer who eventually wants to try so mething a little more challenging than a few guppies in a 10g tank, they come to you. cost more to reach new customers than to keep the ones you do have

Answer 8

I think, in US, people that sell things, don't care what you do with it, as long as they get paid.