Having second thoughts...

[AW2EOD]

Well...I had my old 55gal. salt tank sitting around and decided to sell it. I found a guy at work, and he's taking it. He's kept freshwater for many years, but never salt water, so I told him I'd help him set it up.

I'm going to deliver the tank tomorrow, and talked to him today. The first thing out of his mouth is..."I'm so excited to get this tank. I've already got fish on hold at the fish store!!" So, after a few questions from me, I find out that he bought a baby Banded Cat Shark and a 12" Blue Spotted Stingray. I couldnt believe it. The tank doesnt even have water in it, let alone cycled, and he has fish on hold to put in the tank tomorrow. lol

I explained that no, a Banded and Blue Spot wont go in a 55gal. tank...not even a 100 gal. tank. Luckily he called the fish store, and they gave him his money back since he hadnt picked them up yet.

A while later, he comes back to tell me that he's going to get a Miniatus Grouper for the tank tomorrow. Again, I explained that it wouldnt work and that it was going to be at least 6 weeks before his first fish goes into the tank. And, I made him promise that he wouldnt buy a fish without asking me first.

I know that I was little excited when I got my first salt tank, and yeah...I killed a few small fish (clowns, etc.) because I wasnt willing to wait, but this is just a little too much. Now, I dont know if I want to sell the tank to him or not. I dont care about him spending money on the fish...the guy drives a 2004 Porsche 911 and a BMW X5 (I work at a BWM dealership)...I just care about all the poor fish that he's going to kill, because I know he's not going to listen and the "bug" is going to hit him and he's going to have all kinds of fish in this tank...only for them to die.

[mygreengoldfish]

This could be really bad if you give it to him. Other than a loss of his money, the fish will suffer and it will encourage fish stores to cater towards this kind of buyer. I think you should have your friend read a good book on aquariums to see if he is up for the task of caring for an aquarium first. If he still wants the aquarium, run him through all the basic steps for care once it is set up. And asking you before buying was a good promised for him to make. :rolleyes:

[jessie]

the bad thing is there are alot of people that started out that way. i never listened to the people who tried to help me on my first tank. sometimes it doesnt matter who tries to tell you what. so i learned the hard way. and man i wish i had found AC before i started my first tank. its kinda different when one person tells you something, but when you get a large group of people telling you the same thing, it makes a little bigger impact. a never-ending process of learning. i hope your freind takes your advice.