so i have my tank set up for about 3 and a half months. i was just going to a LFS and they led me in the totally wrong direction. i was told i didn't need a overflow. when topping the tank of i could just use tap water directly in the and just squirt start right in not to measure or anything. in my tank i have THREE DIFFERENT SPECIES OF TANGS. i was later told by another that was a dangerous situation. oh and what the other fish store was amazed by was that i was told to only do a water change if there is a problem other than that not to worry about it. so if you don't mind please steer me in the right direction. :sad
so mad
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Man that store is the last place I would give business. Try the new store and stay clear of the other. Tap water is probably okay for a fish only tank but when you add corals and inverts to the tank it can often lead to problems. Most people try to use distilled water in their marine tanks. The salt mixture will make it perfect for fish and use it plain for top off water.
And three tangs is almost always a problem. If you can trade 2 of those tangs for different fish, like some clowns or gobies or something more suitable.
Fisrt lesson I would take from this experience is to always research any fish that you are going to buy and do a lot of research. Pick out the fish you like at the store and look it up on th enet and ask in forums like this one. There will be lots of different info out there but it will be up to you to piece it together and make a choice.
And three tangs is almost always a problem. If you can trade 2 of those tangs for different fish, like some clowns or gobies or something more suitable.
Fisrt lesson I would take from this experience is to always research any fish that you are going to buy and do a lot of research. Pick out the fish you like at the store and look it up on th enet and ask in forums like this one. There will be lots of different info out there but it will be up to you to piece it together and make a choice.
Ive learned.....the hard way...to take any advice from the lfs with a grain of salt. Some are on the up and up, but seems the majority are just out to make a buck....at the hobbyist's expense....sad. These forums seem to be a very good place for information from folks who have "been there done that", and most are more than willing to dispense good advice. Hang in there.
The biggest lesson to learn here is that the lfs wants your money. We don't. We only want to help our finfriends. 
Dont feel bad, I was in the same boat until I found this forum. Krazy fish store guy (I could call him a few choice names) told me to buy a Volitans Lionfish to cycle the tank with! Poor thing died after 3 weeks. I loved that fish. :sad
Anyway, you're not alone. There's some great people here who have helped turn around my tanks.
Good luck and enjoy.
Angela
Anyway, you're not alone. There's some great people here who have helped turn around my tanks.
Good luck and enjoy.
Angela
I'd call the better business bureau
and let everybody I know understand what a piece of crap store that is.
and let everybody I know understand what a piece of crap store that is.
Pterois... a Lionfish? That's ridiculous. Logically if youre going to use a fish to cycle you're running a large risk of losing that fish, so wouldnt you want a cheap fish? I dont know much about Lionfish but still I wouldnt spend 25 dollars on a fish to cycle with. I am still searching for a decent Marine store in my area all we have is Petco. :rant:
He charged me $45 for the Lionfish and it was my very first tank, and he knew it. He's now skipped town and closed the store. I wonder why?! :mad2
I definately learned a lesson, and am joining a reef club in my area.
I definately learned a lesson, and am joining a reef club in my area.
Its not just the pet trade that does it, many Technology stores like Best Buy charge $50 an hour just to hook up color coded PC connections (i mean come on people they are color coded for a reason!), and people pay it.
sorry to butt in, just wanted to say i love this site! i work in a lfs in new zealand, but dont shoot me! marine tanks arent very common over here, the city i live in only has 4 marine owners, including me! just wanted to say if more lfs workers took the time to do some research themselves and learn about the fish they sell, and acually told their customers the right information the first time, they might not make heaps of money all at once, but as people in the comunity realised the fish store people are nice and try to help you, they would make more money, and friends, in the long run.p.s sorry about all the trouble youve had beginner.