Carlos @ River City Aquatics

[CD]

Well, as most of you know, Wendy recently lost her Hippo Tang to a jumping incident.
Today we received a big, beautiful, healthy Hippo Tang that apparently, was given to us by Carlos- owner of River City.
It is my understanding that Carlos had read the post about the situation with the Hippo and being the truly nice, caring, wonderful person that he is, took it upon himself to see that Wendy received a replacement.

I've always thought that River City was very customer oriented but this just takes the cake. This was totally unexpected and the absolute nicest thing anybody could have done for us.
Wendy is so excited that she is babysitting during the drip acclimation.

Wendy and I wanted to thank Carlos from the bottom of our hearts for this very nice gesture. I don't know of another store (or owner) that would have done this for a customer.

Thank you very much Carlos !! :D

Chris and Wendy

[::pete::]

That is a nice guesture and a beutiful fish.

[Jenn]

Wow Wendy, that sure is a beautiful tang. I have never been there, but will make it a point to check the place out soon.

[NaCl_H2O]

That's a really neat ending to something that started out so tragic!

Cool :-D

[dan]

WOW!!!!! that is really nice. just when you think everythings going down the tubes something wonderful happens. it's nice to know that there are still caring people out there. i'm really happy for you Wendy. thank you Carlos

[RobertG]

Not suprising to here this about Carlos! He is really a great individual.

[duc]

Another Carlos story just a tad different though.
Sunday I showed up what I thought was 5-10 mins after he had closed, turns out it was an hour and 15 mins after he had closed. He was walking out the door key in hand locking the place up and he welcomed me in then sent me out the door with all the items I had driven there for. WAY ABOVE and BEYOND, this may not sound like a lot to people but a S Austin store (who's name I wont mention) where I have spent hundreds of dollars at would not wait 10-15 mins for us to get there one day when we were in route. I know when the day ends it is over for most but it was like a brick in the head when I felt all my money was going to someone who cared about the money not the person. Thanks Carlos it may be 3 times the distance but well worth the drive!
Clif

[MikeDeL]

Simply outstanding! I knew there was a reason I go there so much. :grin:

[speakerguy]

RCA is the only LFS I will buy hardware at locally anymore. When it comes time to get my big tank(s) I'm going to them. Randy is also really helpful there too.

[Tim Marvin]

Carlos has gone above and beyond again!!!!! Big service from such a small store!

[CD]

He's definitely got a customer for life here! I am still stunned. Chris and I are going to get over there ASAP to thank him in person. :-D

We finally got the Hippo acclimated tonight...heh...poor Chris is going to be sleepy at work tomorrow, but we are both VERY happy with our much appreciated present. The Yellow Tang has been pestering her/him like she does all new arrivals, but now (1:10 am) everybody is bedded down for the night. I'm sure I'll be sitting in front of the tank keeping an eye on them most of the day tomorrow....uh, make that later today ;)

Wendy

[Polkster13]

Wendy,

I am so pleased to hear about your new addition.

Wow. Carlos; you da' man! (Big round of applause)

I have done business with a lot of pet stores in my life time but I have NEVER heard of this kind of generosity! This is truely amazing.

Thank you Carlos.

Wendy,

Please post some more pictures of your beautiful addition after it has settled into its new home.

[falcam7]

Chris and Wendy Congratulations on your new Hippo. He or she sure is beautifull.

I have to agree with everyone else Carlos @ RCA is a very nice honest down to earth individual that really cares about his customers an treats them as friends not as dollar signs

As Fredrick said


I have done business with a lot of pet stores in my life time but I have NEVER heard of this kind of generosity! This is truely amazing.


Chris and Wendy I have to agree with you, Carlos @ RCA has made me a definitely customer for life here too!

Way to go Carlos @ RCA :D :D :D

[Jenn]

Ok Wendy, gotta get the update on how she is doing this morning.... :)

[Polkster13]

Yes, yes. Do tell!

Also, how much sleep (if any) did you get last night?

[mathias]

where is this place located? I like to go take a look

[CD]

Yes, yes. Do tell!

Also, how much sleep (if any) did you get last night?


Methinks I am beginning to understand how a new mommy feels...tired, happy, and excited. ;) I was up about every 2-3 hours with my flashlight (being very careful to cup my hand over the light so it wouldn't freak the Hippo out) checking to make sure he/she was OK. The acclimation last night went fine - dripped for almost 6 hours, then placed in the display (salinity in our tank was 1.025 and 1.027 in the bag water upon arrival). I wish we had a large hospital tank set up, but we don't - so the display was our only option. Well of course snooty Ms. Yellow Tang was being nasty about her new tankmate (tail slapping), but I they are doing better now. The Hippo has come out of hiding from the cave it slept in last night, but is staying in the lower RH side of the tank. We kept a nightlight on close to the tank last night too so there would at least be a *little* illumination in the tank in case the new Hippo got disoriented.
I also noticed that the Hippo had gotten rather pale last night when first introduced - even after the breathing had regulated - but the color is a much deeper blue this morning...almost back to normal.
The new Hippo is a good bit bigger than the one I had before, so it is going to be a necessity that we upgrade tank size as soon as we can so he/she has plenty of room to swim. Such a beautiful fish! I am going to try and feed here in a few minutes, and I'm hoping he/she will eat, but I don't really expect it at this point. They seem to be such shy creatures! I will try and take another picture and post it later this afternoon or evening, but I don't think a flash going off in his/her eyes right now is a good idea. I just want to give it a chance to feel comfy in it's new surroundings. Chris had cut the egg crate that Frederick had given us to fit the top of the tank perfectly, and we are keeping it on the tank most of the time. I'm taking it off for about 4 hours a day so the corals can get enough light, and staying in the room with the tank when I'm doing this to make sure none of the inhabitants get any bright ideas about jumping. ;)

Wendy

[mathias]

wow your dedicated... giving your fish night lights :)


great job... to think about it I have moonlights same diff I guess

[CD]

wow your dedicated... giving your fish night lights


Heh...Well, I just tried to put myself in it's place, and thought - How would I feel if somebody dumped me in a new place and then shut out the lights shortly thereafter? :o

I've been keeping an eye on it all day. Didn't eat when I fed for the first feeding of the day, but then I kinda expected that. It's still hanging out in the lower RH corner of the tank, and on occasion, takes a short swim around the perimeter - then right back to the same spot. The Yellow Tang is still pestering her/him, but this has lessened since last night. One thing that bothers me, is that when the Hippo *does* take a swim around the tank, it is bumping into things...almost as if it can't see. Has anybody ever had a fish do this?

Wendy

[Tim Marvin]

Hippo take some time to feel at home. Be patient.

[NaCl_H2O]

WOW :o I know who I am going to ask to babysit my tanks if ever needed! You are one dedicated fish owner! Sounds like your Hippo is doing great and the Yellow is accepting her (I think all Hippo's are "hers", to pretty to be a "He"!).

Try soaking some flakes or brine in a little Garlic extract (just a few drops) - it will tempt her to eat a little more. The faster she begins to be a pig, the better the chance she won't break out with Ich. And the tempting food will keep the Yellow's attention off her too.

[CD]

You are one dedicated fish owner!


Thank you. ;) What can I say? I just love all my babies...the fish, dogs, and parrots - Heh...I always told Chris we would be in real trouble if we lived out in the country. There would be critters everywhere!! :lol:



I think all Hippo's are "hers", to pretty to be a "He"!).


LOL - I'll have to agree with you there...I always referred to my first one as a "she". Cute little freckles and all. I like their eyes too - very expressive.



Garlic extract (just a few drops)


GaryP was putting this in the food he fed to his fish too. I should've written the brand down...is that something you can find at a LFS, or is it a "food grade" type garlic you can find at a grocery store? After the last Hippo, I wasn't too worried that it didn't eat on it's first full day - the other one didn't either, and she turned into a little piggie - she was *very* skinny when I got her. Thankfully, this new Hippo was fairly plump and healthy when I got her, so I'm hoping she will eat tomorrow, but I'd be interested in finding that garlic extract you mentioned. Ooooo...plus, the Ogo should be here tomorrow!! :D

Wendy

[NaCl_H2O]

It is called Kent Marine Garlic Xtreme (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=KM3631), I just picked some up at Alamo Aquatics in SA, I'm sure a LFS in Austin will have some?

Lots of theroies on Garlic! Does it actually assist in the fishs health somehow, or does it just encourage better eating habits which in turn improves health?

Bottom line, it don't matter - either way it promotes healthier fish. Ich can be a big problem with Tangs, but Tangs don't "catch" Ick. Ick is a parasite that is ALWAYS present in ALL saltwater systems. When a fish is stressed, malnourished, or in poor water conditions, its natural ability to fight off the parisite is weakened and the ick "breakout" can happen in a matter of hours. Healthy, well fed fish, in a high quality environment DON'T GET ICK!

The Tang Heaven should also be a great food source to get your little buddies eating like pigs.

Good luck - I hope your jumping days are behind you!

[Tim Marvin]

H.E.B. fresh ground garlic in the jars. Use the juice on flake food and cloves in your food. My tangs love to eat little pieces of fresh garlic.

[CD]

Ick is a parasite that is ALWAYS present in ALL saltwater systems.


Yes, I remember reading that in one of our books. It doesn't seem to affect all new tang arrivals though. The first Hippo was pretty stressed when we got her, and had a small break-out of ick within a day...it went away pretty quickly though. The Yellow Tang never had any at all, and the new Hippo - even though I know it is still somewhat stressed, has not shown any signs of it yet. Weird.

I will check out both H.E.B. (as Tim recommended - Thanks, Tim!) and the Kent Marine. I have a feeling the HEB type will be less $$ though. Thanks for the info, guys!! ;)

Wendy

[CD]

Well I found some Garlic Xtreme at...you guessed it...River City Aquatics! I will give it a try in tomorrow morning's feeding, and hopefully the Hippo will take interest. This is the third full day we've had her, and she still hasn't eaten yet. I even put a clump of the Ogo in front of her...checked it out, but didn't even nibble. I wonder...if I tried soaking the Ogo in tank water laced with Garlic Xtreme, do ya'll think the Ogo would absorb the flavor? And if I'm putting it in the regular food I feed, should I not try soaking the Ogo too? ...IOW, can a fish OD on garlic?

Wendy

BTW- The store was *hoppin'* tonight! Had to track Carlos down so I could give him a big hug - whatta sweet guy!

[NaCl_H2O]

Take it easy with the garlic XTreme - open the bottle and take whif ... it is strong stuff :o

Take a pinch of flakes and put them in a small amount (tbs) of water from your tank and add 2-3 drops of Garlic. Let 'em sit for 30mins and dump flakes water & all into the tank. I also do this with Brine and Mysis shrimp

Don't know if the Ogo would absorb enough to make a difference? You can definately try - same method as for the flakes I would think???