Overstocked... I need a new tank, right?

Status
Not open for further replies.
You bring up an interesting point, though.

Why DO people listen to the employees at the fish store?

I certainly hope you are not gullible enough to trust salesman at other retail places. I always do 100% of my own research when buying anything, from a $20 tool at the hardware store to a $20,000 car (well, $17k, actually). I'm sure even if I didn't have the internet, I would still be reading books to guide me along. Especially since they are all written in plain English.

I can understand when you know nothing about the subject and it's difficult to learn. I don't understand HVAC, so if my air conditioning breaks, I have to trust that the repairman isn't going to rip me off. (Even so, I research the company beforehand.) I really don't know when I take my car to the mechanic, if he is charging me honestly or if he is bringing up things that are truly wrong...but it's very difficult for the average person to learn about cars well enough to know the answers to these questions.

On the other hand, there is a ton of information on the internet about fish, so I don't see any reason to ask a 16 year old wearing a name badge questions, especially when they are generally busy helping other newbies. Sure, there are "experts" at the local fish stores, but sometimes even the people who have been in the hobby 20+ years are doing it wrong, keeping flowerhorns in 20 gallon tanks, etc.

So, while I understand what you mean about the "TERRIBLE advice" - I have to wonder, why? Why would you ask for advice when you have the internet? I'm sure you know these people didn't go to school for this (like the authors of many books and articles) and they are just one person (vs. a forum full of people) and you probably didn't ask them how much experience they had, or ask them to show you pictures of their own aquariums to see if they are actually keeping them well. People who have only been in this hobby for a year or two are usually the ones who run their mouths the most!
 
Last edited:
I skipped to the second page of this thread without reading more than the first 4-5 posts on the first, and saw the big explosion in giant letters in all caps, and I assumed that someone was being a real **** on the first page, because I've seen it happen before on this forum. So I go back to the first page and see one use of the phrase "that's just cruel" mixed with advice. So far there's been no personal attacks, no belittleing, or verbal battering. There's been genuine advice, and the stern correction of a child who doesn't know that she's done something wrong by adults who do. Therefore the second page is a severe over-reaction on the part of the child because now she realizes that she's done something wrong and feels terribly guilty for it and has no other way to deal with it but to throw a tantrum.
 
Well, if I were a mod, I would have changed that explosion to all caps in a reasonable sized font....but that is up to them, I suppose.
 
I would imagine that the best course of action would be for the parents to do some research and to perhaps guide the girls through the aspects of fishkeeping.

getting the fish into a much larger and cycled aquarium is kind of important here; no amount of chastising nor tantrums will help in that effect.
 
I don't think it has anything to do with being precocious. I just think this is something all of us who love animals has to learn, and we do when someone is frank with us about reality. The only reason it happened so early for me is that my parents are animal lovers and I had friends and relatives who were farm folks. As you said platy, we've all made mistakes. I've been unintentionally cruel to more than one animal in my care before and though it stings to learn, later I'm always glad I did. Animals don't hold grudges either, and you can tell they are grateful (in their way) for better care, which I think is very rewarding. I also think this girl likes fish and DOES want to do right by them. So again hopefully she is able to listen and learn here.
 
cobfreak said:
Cruel implies intention. This girl was not being cruel.
Click to expand...

My sister is 13 with downs syndrome. She traps the cat under a laundry basket, or just holds her down on the floor, picks her up by the armpits and carries her around. The cat is yowling for help and clearly pissed. My sister doesn't *intend* to hurt the cat, she just wants to pet her, play with her, but I bet the cat would argue that it's not cruel.
 
....that reminds me, I need some money - N
 
maybe you can ask around with family and friends if you can clean their house or mow the lawn, or maybe you could sell or trade something for a bigger tank. i know thats what i do if i dont have the money for a new tank.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom