Opinion Needed

[EmilyMarie85]

I have a co-worker that is setting up a 55g tank.

Long story short, he is fresh out of the local <evil pet chain> who of course gave him a pile of bad information. So I explained that he could not just add fish right away, all about the nitrogen cycle, etc. I offered to lend him a few of my established sponge filters even, sent him a link to the beginner thread on this forum... Well, he comes in today and said his wife went out and bought a bottle of bio-starter (at least by his description that is what I am guessing it is), and that they can add fish in 1-2 weekw - they want bala sharks in this 55g.

From my understanding, the bio-starter stuff doesn't work, and bala sharks need large tanks (125g ish) when they reach adults. I know that him and his wife being noob and trusting what the <evil pet chain> store told him is not their fault or anything -- and I want to explain to him why he is doomed, but I am afraid of coming off to pushy or something. I have already given him so much information, and corrected so many things they told him already.... I feel bad, especially for the bala sharks, but I mean at this point do I just sit back and watch it all explode and then answer his questions when he asks them? Like I said, I am afraid of coming off to pushy, and it is his little project that he is going with his wife, I don't want to impose, but I don't want all their fish to die and then them get turned off to the hobby -- I don't know what to do =/

 

[OrionGirl]

Some of the additives work. Not all.

In terms of fish choice, Ask him to research the fish, and look at the adult sizes.

Ultimately...not much you can do when someone is SURE they are right. **shrugs** I'm jaded, I'll offer advice if asked but otherwise I tend to shut up. Not worth the fight.

 

[Piscine]

Some of the additives work. Not all.

In terms of fish choice, Ask him to research the fish, and look at the adult sizes.

Ultimately...not much you can do when someone is SURE they are right. **shrugs** I'm jaded, I'll offer advice if asked but otherwise I tend to shut up. Not worth the fight.

I agree.

 

[XanAvaloni]

well, a quick google finds repeated mentions that a 55g is the MINIMUM size for a bala shark, meaning that while not ideal it is not outside the realm of possibility.

IMHO if you want to approach the topic again you might avoid the "OMG you mustn't do that because [xxx]". Instead, express enthusiasm with what wonderful fish they are. And their extreme jumping tendencies. And the need for very frequent water changes in a minimum size tank. And schooling tendencies so the need to have more than one. And how challenging it is to re-home a larger fish if they change their minds later. And how they can't really have many/any other fish in a tank with one that big. And how much FUN all this care and concern and maintenance and bucket-lugging is going to be...

Otherwise if they get the bala and it does okay (ie, doesn't die a hideous death in the first couple of months) they will be less inclined to trust warnings from you in the future. just a thought.