I lifted this from another thread (and forgot the author...sorry!). I work for Walmart and am scheduled 1-2 days a week in the fish department. I do my level best, but I'm pretty "green" myself. I try to educate those who are willing to learn on such basics as the nitrogen cycle, feeding, water changes and fish compatibility. Still get people wanting 20 comets to put in their kid's tank so when some die they won't notice. :rant2:
I would like some thoughts and ideas on some issues we are having in the tanks though. The tropical side is 2 banks of 9 tanks, approx 10 gallons each. They are filtered by a sump and all 18 tanks dump into the same sump. The filter is a bio-wheel followed by a coarse filter pad followed by a fine filter pad filled with carbon. The water then goes through a UV sterilizerThe filter pads are checked Sun, Wed, Fri and changed on Mon. In between times they are rinsed if needed. Mon and Fri 8oz of aquarium salt is added. Mon they also get "toxic soup." It is fish day and the following chemicals are added (not MY idea!): salt, ick cure, melafix, start right, stress coat and maracyn(sp?). Most of these are added to the sump before the sterilizer, so I'm not thinking much makes it through that. So, after all that. We have currently 5 tanks with ick. The tanks house mollies, platys, black tetras, pacus and bala sharks. Not all one tank, but the main fish in each of the 5 tanks. My thoughts are to quit with all the meds and such and let the fish BREATHE! Maybe up the salt a bit (but cories, cats and plecos?) and get the heat up closer to 82 or so. Anything else that can be done for these guys? I know many of you think that Walmart shouldn't sell fish (and I agree), but since it isn't likely to happen, I'd like some help in taking care of the ones I can in the best way possible. Any thoughts (not flames please)?
