The horror!!!

[abe77901]

I walked into our new Petsmart yesterday and to my horror saw two isles of top fin tanks. No oceanic, no universal, nothing else, just top fin..

[chrismikea]

yeah i went there a few weeks ago and they had no saltwater stuff at all. no fish,salt,lights noting. but they do have alot of dogs

[LoneStar]

They have been weeding out Oceanic tanks for awhile now. Discontinueing them....

[Ram_Puppy]

I don't know about you, but I actually consider it a GOOD thing that Petsmart does not carry saltwater equipment/fish. THey hire idiots much of the time who can not take care of goldfish much less give sound advice or practice good husbandry on saltwater fish.

Case in point, you know those little collection cups fish stores use when they are catching fish? they hang on the tank? The little ones, not the big ones. I had to run into Petsmart a couple weeks ago for an emergency filter buy (Makes me feel guilty to support them instead of going out CB) but I needed them fast. I walked down their fish isle and they had 4 fancy goldfish and 2 mollies in one of these cups 'acclimating' to a new tank.

I was curious to see how long this would go on, so I dilly dallied for about 40 minutes just looking at all the stuff around there, and eventually gave up and asked the guy what they were doing.

"Acclimating"

"For 40 minutes? w/ out adding water?"

"Sure, it's no big deal"

"Um, the fish are gasping for air at the top of the water... you don't consider that a sign that O2 is depleted in the water?"

"It doesn't matter, Goldfish are labrynth fish, they can breath air."

"I understand that, do you understand that they are pumping that small amount of water full of CO2 and dropping the PH like a rock, and additionally that they are probably burning their gills on all the amonia they are pumping into the water?"

"The will be fine"

"You are an idiot."

At that point I put the filters back on the rack and made it a point to show the guy he had lost a sale because of his stupidity. Of course, I NEEDED the filters, so my wife went back in later and bought them.

I know they are just fish, but my wife is a fancy goldfish nut which means I have to research them. they do not do well with stress, and they are not tanks like their normal bodied bretheren, they are actually very delicate. His attitude really hacked me off.

<-- does not like petsmart.

[dwdenny]

So Ram I see you like Petsmart a lot. lol About the only thing I do with Petsmart is get my dog clipped there. They do a great job at that. At least they didn't cut him with the clippers yet that is. But it is closer then other stores so I get the dog and cat food there evry once in a while. Oh well

[Ram_Puppy]

lol... I am a much bigger fan of the local stores when it comes to fish. But as far as dog supplies and grooming go, I don' thave a problem with petsmart.

[blueboy]

thing is, do you think that lowly $7/hr employee even cares if "the man" loses a sale?

[Ram_Puppy]

very true. but I was in a bad mood. I am satisfied with making him realize he doesn't know everything.

[TheCampbells]

I used to get my ****zus clipped there too. Until I waked in one day and saw a dog hanging off the table with no one around.....

That was the end of my visiting petsmart.

And I have a few reasons to go in there, but probably never will again.

[jap1]

I buy my dogfood there since they seem to have the best price on Science Diet, but their fish knowledge is horrible. My friend was setting up a 5 gallon nano and was looking for a tank, so I dropped by to see if they had any. A friendly employee came up to help me:

"Hi, may I help with anything?"

"I am looking for a 5 or a 5 1/2 gallon tank for a friend."

"What will it be used for?"

"He's going to use it for a saltwater nano reef."

"Oh no! You can't do saltwater in ANYTHING less than a 20 gallon tank."

"Oh really?" <--me playing dumb. (My 12 gallon aquapod would beg to differ)

"That's right. Infact for a 20, you would need a 20 long for proper gas exchange due to the surface area."

"Oh, ok. Thank's for helping me."

I left it at that. This was one of their top employees too. Maybe you will find the occasional employee that might know what they're talking about, but PetSmart is not the place to go for saltwater advice. Thankfully we have fantastic LFS's here in SA.

[discuspro]

When I go to stores like Petsmart I think of how I used to think when I was beginning to keep fish. I didn't know much but I thought I knew a good bit at the time. Heck, I still don't know much but most of the time I think I do. Some of the employees at these stores could probably care less about how to actually keep fish but then again there may be some employees selling things that are actually interested in fish but mis-informed.

I could have totally seen myself working at Petsmart when I was young and thinking I knew it all, later to find I was so wrong. I feel kinda bad for the employees that may actually try to help but give bad info. Some day they might actually learn the right answer but until then they are still learning like many others including me.

[Instar]

The new one (PetCo) on the south side carries salt water fish. I saw dozens of tank raise clowns literally starving to death in their pure clean, poopless tanks. They looked like swimming skeletons. I guess no one really cares because they are just fish and the closest store, etc. Picture Tomato Clowns, all the same size from a hatchery, dozens of them, just the skeletal frame and skin/scales. I needed something myself, but, found a way to do without it till I could get it from one of our responsible stores. It still illudes me why none of the super caring in MAAST has ever taken this on to get them barred from keeping/killing fish. Is it because it doesn't impact the reef that starving clowns is ok? Well, this message sting hit a chord. I suppose it will come up over and over again as it has on these boards for years because there is no legislation or laws to protect the life of marine vertibrates? Ironic, can't collect a rock from the coast yet can starve aquacultured marines by the dozens.

[Ram_Puppy]

Your right larry, one problem as I see it is what happens when some total idiot of a legislature takes up this cause and makes it illegal for us to even own ornamental fish or corals?

Look at Sam living in hawaii where owning coral is illegal. they can take it beyond responsilbe to idiotic.

If we are going to do something as a club, it would be more responsible to take intelligent action. Take a picture of these clowns and send it along with a letter to Petsmart corporate headquarters. tell them their profits are dieing.

[Instar]

From what I read that and more has already been done. They apparently make so much with their extra mark ups they don't care.

[GaryP]

I went into the new Petco near me the other day and saw pretty much the same thing. They had about 20 tomato clowns in a about a 30 gal. tank. Talk about a battle going on. They had about 10 maroon clowns in the tank next to it. The clowns all looked like they had been on the losing side of a knife fight. The starving yellow tangs didn't look any better.

[captexas]

If you feel that strongly about it, I would suggest contacting PETA. They have worked to fight PetCo, even had a few billboards here in S.A. awhile back with the "BOYCOTT PETCO". MAAST is never going to be strong enough to take on a big company like that. The most important thing MAAST can do is try to educated the public on proper care of fish and what to look for at stores that sell them. Those stores are not geared towards people like us, the serious hobbiest, and since no one here seems to shop there, then obviously it's the novists that are keeping them in business because they don't know any better.

[GaryP]

We just need to reach out to the folks that are buying at places like Petco and Petsmart and bring them into the fold and the loving embrace of MAAST. A lot of us were there at one time in our careers in the hobby. The ones that suceeded in the hobby grew out of it. The ones that didn't probably threw their hands up in disgust and decided "its just too hard."

[Ram_Puppy]

Well how does one go a bout poaching noobs out of those places for MAAST?

have someone go in and stand around all day saying "you don't want to do that!" or something? doubt it will happen.

Your right, the best solution to this is to get the word out about MAAST and make people see the sense in our ethics.

You know, there are not that many providers for tank raised clowns... I mean you know Larry sure as heck aint selling to these people that means a shop like ORA probably is. Anyone think following that route would be any better?

I could care less if these stores carried fish if they didn't do such a **** poor job of it.

[Instar]

One thing you would think would help is that evey place sells the same items for less than they do. Considering all that they stock can be had for less (sometimes much less) elsewhere, it's hard to understand why they are always crowded with the general pet loving public who buy their dying, starving fish. I wonder if they feed the puppies every day?

[RockoC87]

I work at petsmart on DeZavala, but my position is a reciever/stocker. I work along with merlin21k and he is in the fish department and has been for a while. So one good thing i could tell you about our petsmart is that i know that at least 2 of the people in the fish department have reef tanks, as well as me so as far as good advise for saltwater i think our petsmart might be the best. When i go to the new petco across the street, it saddens me to see all the dying clowns and all the saltwater living things dying. When you have a corporate store like petsmart, which gets fish in bulk, i think its best to stick to freshwater because of the maintanance factor. I do know for the freshwater set up at petsmart the filtration is well done, including uv stablizers and such.

[petsmart_enthusiast]

Dear Puppy Rammer,
I am a marine enthusiast and am a frequent customer of the Petsmart on IH10 and Dezavala Rd. I witnessed your little fau paux a couple of weeks ago at that same location. I saw you and your wife “dilly dallying”, but not for “40 minutes”! Not hardly!!! Who hangs around a Petsmart for 40 minutes???? I also witnessed your manly testosterone rage against that poor employee……hardly! More like you’re trying to impress your wife with your so called knowledge …..Possibly trying to compensate for your performance in….ummmm….the bedroom maybe??? Do you understand, man who likes to “ram puppies”, do you GET IT???? Fish stay in a SMALL BAG for more than 24 hours when they are shipped to each pet store? Whether it is corporation or small business. I work for a company, and I have to deal with know it alls like you on a daily basis. Why would you LIE about demeaning a minimum wage employee at a local pet store? GET A LIFE AND GET A CLUE!!! And about those comments you made about the employee being an idiot and the store losing a customer……THAT NEVER HAPPENED!!!!!! I saw everything! You left that store like a dog with his tail between his legs and your filters that you needed sooooo badly in your sweaty palms. The employee was acclimating those fish correctly. In fact, an employee at that same location helped me and my husband when we were about ready to quit the hobby all together. He helped us RE-setup our tank and our fish are still alive and healthy…..months later. Even though Petsmart does not sell saltwater fish, the employee recommended the MAST website and numerous local pet stores that sold marine fish. You’re the type that makes me want to get my $20 dues back. And, by the way, the mollies and goldfish you referred to, WERE NOT mixed together. They were only in the water for about 20 minutes, and if you were really hanging around for so long, you would have seen that! After seeing your first post, my husband and I were appalled at how far you blew the situation out of proportion. I told my husband that I have half a mind to tell the MAST community, and the other half agrees. You are the idiot, and at least someone is going to say that out loud. Next time you’re thinking about giving a boost to your ego, maybe you should think about the other, NICE human beings who may be in ear shot. Loser!

[thedude]

The bottom line is thus,

Petsmart is not a local fish store, nor has it ever advertised as being a marine aquarist store. It is, what it is, which in my opinion is a puppy mill (this broad term used to encompass the other animals they stock) with a Walmart-esque dry good selection (lots of product = cheap prices).

With a large company selling many types of pets, the neglect seen in our hobby is bound to happen. Not only to we see the saltwater fish being killed daily, but I'm sure hamster enthusiasts see hundreds of hamsters go down yearly.

Will this practice stop? No
Is there any practical way to hurt it? No
What can you do about it?

Educate those that you can, about legitimate marine aquarium geared stores and simply DON'T SHOP THERE. That is the main key, if you buy the products offered at these terrible locales, they'll just buy more sad livestock.

There is no reason to rip Petco or Petsmart employees. What if they simply don't care? They tried again and again to improve the filtration with every effort being fruitless, and finally gave up. Why in the world would you abuse an employee that makes minimum wage? At least he feeds the fish occasionally!

STOP shopping there! We know what we'll see going in, so simply don't go in! As RockoC87 said, some Petsmart employees know about MAAST and will gladly offer a referal. That is the single greatest hope that anyone in the saltwater hobby can ask for, education.

So in conclusion, you hate Petsmart, don't buy those filters you DESPERATELY need. Wait the night out, go to your LFS in the morning and support someone you like. And don't rip the employees, you have no right. Some don't care, and a greater number, are trying their best with limited resources and limited pay. Help them, suggest MAAST and other online sources to at least educate them and some of their customers. It should never come to yelling at a minimum wage Petsmart employee. Venting your anger on a hapless worker, trying their best, is the absolute lowest thing you could do, and encourage the employee to take no responsibility for their job.

John

[RockoC87]

thanks, thedude. Point well taken!

[petsmart_enthusiast]

Thanks for your post thedude... Very well worded. However Petsmart does not sell dogs, cats, nor saltwater fish. However they do sell a small selection of saltwater items. In addition they donate space in thier stores for local charities to adopt out thier homeless pets. =) I have been to the petsmart on IH-10&Dezavala and the one on 410 past callaghan and i have gotten cards, from both places, to loacally owned fish stores. The emplyees there are geared to show beginners how get started and to point them in right direction. That is how i found the MAAST website, from a petsmart employee. But thedude is right, don't shop somewhere that you are disgusted with and then be shocked when you go in there and you are disgsted! Also an employee can't change the way of a company due to policies and guidlines. All you can hope for is that the company learns from its mistakes and leans toward a better future. Don't worry Rocko I got your back! Tell your coworkers to keep supporting LFS and MAAST!

[petsmart_enthusiast]

PetSmart does not sell saltwater fish. Before everyone starts getting all tough and defensive find out who you are insulting before you just start stabbing in the dark hoping to hit a nerve with everyone else. PETSMART DOES NOT SELL SALTWATER FISH! You people need to get your facts straight.

[mathias]

me personally never had a problem with petsmart... and petco there prices are so **** high never bought any fish there.....


but good to see both sides of a issue... thats why they call it a discussion forum.....


carry on :)

[thedude]

I tend to lump Petco, Petsmart, and any other large pet chains together unforntuately. I see absolutely no difference between a Petco and a Petsmart but as you stated enthusiast, maybe Petsmart is the lesser of two evils ;).

[GaryP]

me personally never had a problem with petsmart... and petco there prices are so **** high never bought any fish there.....

I checked on the price of a bucket of IO while I was at Petco. It was $52. I don't think so.

[captexas]

LOL, some of ya'll are funny. The same people that bash Petsmart and Petco are the first ones in line when they have a special sale on salt! I remember both companies had salt for sale cheap last year and everyone was rushing out to buy it.

Anyways, there are always two sides to a story and sometimes people are too quick to judge. Personally, I have never purchased anything from PetCo due to them 1)having a poor selection, 2)having sickly looking fish and tanks, and 3)being high in price. As far as Petsmart goes, I used to shop there all the time when I was into freshwater fish, both for livestock and for drygoods. I never had any problems and like that they guaranteed their livestock. As far as getting advice from employees there, it is the same as any employee from any LFS, never take their word as gold and research on your own to make sure of what you are doing.

While I don't like Petco, it isn't fair to stereotype a store just because it is a big chain or one of their employees. It's also not fair to blame them for everything wrong either. Whether you like it or not, you support the "puppy mill" idea no matter what store you shop at. All pets stores and LFS usually buy from some of the same vendors. While the "puppy mill" concept can be looked upon as deplorable, so can taking wild fish from the oceans. Because of their demand, many species have greatly decreased in numbers and it's not because of PetCo either. With over-collecting, terrible collection techniques (cyanide), poor shipping results, lack of proper acclimation at stores, and lack of education by most consumers, the death of all these fish every year could be looked upon as far worse than any puppy-mill or one large chain of pet stores. It all has to do with the consumer. If we didn't demand it and buy it, they wouldn't sell it.

[blueboy]

well said cap. it's called "responsible consumerism", that is, only support businesses whose practices you aprove of, even if it means a few more dollars, or a few miles out of the way, or a little more time. if you truly feel strongly about something these should be small sacrifices to make. i am a big proponent of responsible consumerism, because it hits them were it counts!, the bottom line. if you try and get confrontational with some of these businesses(or the people who represent them) you'll just be told what you want to hear to get your business back, but things don't really change. if we stop shopping there, they will be forced to change their practices, or go out of business

[Instar]

petsmart_enthusiast - You also need to understand that even though a half dozen employees care or even know, does not make it ok for the rest of the stores. Pestsmart, Petco, Walmart are all similar. Perhaps Petsmart has a better training program, their original purpose statement from years back would make me think so at least. Each fish has different needs. It may be ok to feed a young ciclid once a day or even skip, but it is not ok for young angels. Their feeding requirements are very, very different. The water chemisty they need are different as well and those needs, if met, will result in greater chance the fish purchase will survive and help eliminate the head spinning dying fish such as the angels. Since they are hatchery raised, they could survive. Guarentees are worthless if the fish are ill unless the buyer has the idea that they will "just get another one and sooner or later one will survive" I've been there, seen the messed up fish and so have you from what you say. Thanks for getting the facts straight. Most of the talk, if any, should be aimed at Petco and Walmart in regard to live stock from what I see. The real effort should be put toward legislation to stop the abuse of any form of life, from dogs to snails and make enforcable penalties for it. Will Petsmart assist with this since they are or used to be more proactive?

petsmart_enthusiast - regardless of how po'd you are at Ram or how far off the facts are you're trying to set straight, your post is completely disgusting and should be rewritten. A well written post would have a lot more clout and would actually be believeable when it comes to the "facts" of the events of the day that started this whole disgusting discussion (again).

MAAST is too much of a minority when it comes to the general public's purchasng power with a large volume public business. A small group can stop shopping at Petco and it won't even be noticable in revenues. So ya'll suggest shopping elsewhere and ignore the problem (the out of sight our of mind principle) and it doesn't exist because a few individuals stop shopping there? PetCo is starving, killing marine fish (GSM's, Percs, Tomato and Clarki Clowns) regardless of the ability to look the other way and not get involved. You can see it in more than one place. That is a fact, not a sterotype.

I guess if we didn't demand it, there wouldn't be so much trouble with drug cartels trying to smuggle their wares in. So what are you saying, let public buying demand decide if fish abuse rocks? Apparently it's already been decided and looking the other way, shopping somewhere else means we actually support it.

[captexas]

Larry -

1 - Bashing Petsmart when you were actually in a PetCo was the wrong way to start off your first arguement/tyrade. Then stereotyping Petsmart in with Petco and Wal-Mart was also wrong. While they may all be big companies that sell fish, they are not the same either in what livestock they actually sell or in the way they run their stores. That is what the person was trying to say.

2 - NO one here said turn the other way and ignore what was going on. All we said what that the best way the public can have an impact is by affecting the companies sales and bottom line. And yes, a few MAAST members not shopping there won't have an impact, I don't think any of us shop there and they are still sell saltwater stuff. The point was to educate the public, not MAAST members who already have a clue and know to avoid ALL bad stores that don't take care of their livestock. There are various ways to get the word out and have an impact, ranting on here or belittling some poor store employee is not the way. An employee, even a department manager have no say so over what the store carries or the companies policies.

3. I don't see any comparison from the saltwater fish trade to the drug use problems of this country. I also don't see how not shopping at a store means we are also supporting it. Does that mean that through your analogy since I don't do drugs I am also supporting drug users and the cartels? Or does that mean that when I get my joy from another source (family, friends, or a good beer) I am supporting drug use in this country? Come on <_<

Overall, I think if there is a strong enough belief here in doing something positive to help with the problems at places like Petco with their saltwater fish program, then people should work to get the word out. If you want to do more than just rant about it here online, maybe organize a public protest with the help of PETA or something and try to get the local media involved. You have to find a way to reach out to novists and even people before they buy their first fish. Put together a pamphlet to help educate those that don't know, basic info on what to look for before you buy and ideas of how to get started the right way. Work with the big aquarium club socities to start a letter writing campaign to get PetCo to stop selling saltwater fish. Just some ideas. It would be great for this club to organize and make an impact, that is one of it's primary goals. Just remember something like this is a big undertaking and won't just happen overnight.

[Instar]

LoL, well, this is fun Chris. I get the "Pet" stores confused sometimes, they all look alike to me and that is my mistake. I already said that, and thought the post was originally about Petco. Sometimes these posts shift and change while I am posting and then it really doesn't make sense. If I typed the wrong one in, that was also my mistake. I didn't see it, but maybe I did that? I'll go back and correct it if you see it?

How many new "Pet.." stores are there anyway? If the fact that all 3 chains have somewhat similar issues or have in the past or do now is a sterotype to you, then I am doing that, right or wrong. I can support it if you want to take a tour with me? If its supportable, its fact even if someone calls it a steriotype. They earned what they got, although Petsmart I though was trying to do a good job where the other 2 obviously have not been effective in spite of some pressure. I agree with educating the masses but they get their education from the newpaper or some rare happenstance encounter with one of the contientious employees aforementioned here or a MAAST member or similar.



Or does that mean that when I get my joy from another source (family, friends, or a good beer) I am supporting drug use in this country? Come on

You missed the analogy of the drug deal thing; sorry about that. If the leaders of this country were not already doing something about it, then basically - yes. Here's why:
Passiveness is actually support. Do nothing, let the public decide. The public has decided, drugs are the answer and standing by to watch means just let the drugs flow to the streets. If we let "them" decide, it's already been decided and according to the "public", drugs rock too. We can choose not to buy, but ignoring it is passive support. Just let it go on. Let's make that more personal. When you have kids, if they want to do crack or weed and you let them use your house by ignoring it, you support them and they know it. That is support, even if it is passive. Us just taking a walk out of some store is just as much passive support. (I'll join you for that good beer though. You buying?)

No one here or even all of us collectively is a large enough consumer group to effect a large store chain by abstaining. Rooster fighting used to be the same thing. (another analogy - why would I do that when the first one didn't make sense?) There is some proactive legislation to stop that but until is was illegal and enforcable, we ignored it, maybe even witnessed it, but in walking away, supported it passively for over 100 years. Will the same time elapse for the starving fish? It would be nice if someone reading this mess would get fired up enough to actually make enough noise to get the fish protected or stores that can't do it well to stop selling fish. (NOT referring to PetSmart here.)

I agree, slamming an employee is not the answer. Educating them is better. Difficult to do when all heated up in the moment I think. Who knows if the employee even did anything to deserve it? Probably not.

The pamphlet thing is a good idea. Actually you have a list of good ideas that just need a person or group to spear-head it. I wonder what the "masses" would have to say about it? Since that is in line with the MAAST purposes, would MAAST contribute? We've all been jaw-jackin' about this same issue for years on here and so far its just basically not accomplished anything to do that. But it has been yet another stimulating discussion. Do you have any more ideas?

Other than your ideas, so far this post documents some bad reactions and nasty critical remarks toward other people done hastily in very poor taste. If thats the reaction poor handling or abuse of fish can stir, why can't it be pushed to the point that it becomes someone's cause? You are right, in order to accomplish anything its a long term committment and it has to be aimed at the correct target and that target is not any one business.

[NaCl_H2O]

Wow, I've completely missed this post - good reading!

Seems to me that the large chains only cary live fish (Fresh or SW), or parakeets, or hamsters, or ferets, or ... for only one reason. To get the novice to "want one" so they then can sell the $500 worth of tanks, cages, food, etc. Very simple business model that works very well. Thereis a huge market out there of these "novices" with young children, or a little disposable income. The true hobbiest does far more research, or grow into a more educated approach over time. Many of us on MAAST probably started our venture into aquariums at Woolworths, Woolco, or Ben-Franklin :P

These large chains are making VERY little profit, if any, off their live goods. They are selling the dry goods with a "nice" markup.

Seems the impact MAAST can have is "education" of the novice comunity "before" they walk into that large chain store. Our education library that is in-process is one method to educate the novice, but how do we get them to the link? Almost everyone has a PC and surfs the net continuously! So maybe after the library is available, we pay some internet search engine fees to get the MAAST education library to show up on the first page or two of an internet search ... just an idea!?!?

Then again, this is just novice marine aaquarist we are talking about ... I hate to think about all the poor little cute ferets & rabbits sitting in a cage of stench right now because "They were so cute" :roll

[gjuarez]

They look like ferets and they look like rabbits, but really they are only guinea pigs. Its sad.

[petsmart_enthusiast]

I am sorry that you found my post disgusting, however Ram_puppy's post was completly out of context just so he could go on a tangent about how he hates corporate stores. I shop at petsmart frequently and seeing the actions and then the post.... that really hit one of my nerves.

[GaryP]

Perhaps we should see if these corporate stores will allow us to put MAAST business cards on their bulletin boards. They all have one. It might be a good way to do some educational outreach to the rookie SW folks. Flyers for special events might also be a good idea.

[Reef69]

Im surprised this thread is still up and un-edited!!..AND UNLOCKED!!

Petsmart/Petco..same poop (uh oh..i said poop..Thats why we should thank Our Lord we have CB Pets and FA and AW and FINTIQUE!!!

[mathias]

finaddict :) and TT y eaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa


but if its food for my cats or dogs its petsmart all the way even when I had fresh water I would get my feeders from the one at the forum.... I always thought that the store is clean well ran, and expected the YOUNG employees really not to be experts and everything was just fine..... :)


you know what surprises me? we want people who sell pets to be experts but when I bought my car the guy been there 3 years and when I was asking specifics he was reading the same stuff off the sheet like I was........ GO FIGURE.....

[mathias]

finaddict :) and TT y eaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa


but if its food for my cats or dogs its petsmart all the way even when I had fresh water I would get my feeders from the one at the forum.... I always thought that the store is clean well ran, and expected the YOUNG employees really not to be experts and everything was just fine..... :)


you know what surprises me? we want people who sell pets to be experts but when I bought my car the guy been there 3 years and when I was asking specifics he was reading the same stuff off the sheet like I was........ GO FIGURE.....

[GaryP]

For dog/cat food, try checking out Lockhill Feed Store on Huebner.

[Reef69]

Seriously, Mathias has a very good point..

Imagine working your shift..$7 an hour..at a smelly *** pet store..and then a grown man comes in and yells at your face that the fish isnt been acclimated well..WTF?!..That kid is not a marine biologist, maybe he's still in highschool and it is expected of him to be a fish coinnosieur??..GIVE ME A BREAK!..I know for $7/an hour i wouldnt take s..t from anybody..Imagine working a looong shift and on top of that having someone tell you you are an idiot because you cant acclimate a $2 fish???..LOL..If animal rights worry you so much..what about the illegal collecton of turtle eggs in the coasts of mexico?..Or the killing of tenths of white rhinos..or the conservation plans for the chinese gold monkey..but no...the petco/petsmart $2 goldfish preservation plan sounds sooo much better..LMAO

[villjr]

LOL. Goldfish preservation plan. Good one Reef69!!

[gjuarez]

I went to my local petsmart today, I was impressed with how clean the tanks were. I was more impressed that one of the fish lady's was getting after a customer for buying comunity fish and mixing them with semi-agressive fish. I liked the fact that she asked every customer she saw how the big their aquarium was.

I hadnt gone to this store, which is less than a mile away, because of the experience I had before with previous pet smart stores. I am glad I did. I told the lady that I appreciated what she was doing for the hobby.

[Reef69]

Here (http://www.worldwildlife.org/pandas/)..Save the pandas instead..LOL

I guess the only thing a Petco/Petsmart are for is dog food and cat food and the by the pound cookies they sell..lol

[captexas]

It's amazing how this thread has evolved. The original "HORROR" was over the fact that Petsmart didn't have any Oceanic tanks for sale! :wacko

[LoneStar]

fact that Petsmart didn't have any Oceanic tanks for sale!



HUH??? What? LOL

[GaryP]

How many FW folks, usually at the beginning stages in the hobby, are going to spend the money for an Oceanic tank? They are looking for cheap, not quality, because they probably don't know the difference anyway. FW folks that are shopping at a Petsmart are usually going to be newbies or entry level. Besides, who is going to hang a Penguin on the back of an Oceanic anyway?

[abe77901]

My thread originally was about Top Fin tanks, and not about Petsmart. Everyone agrees that top fin, well for the lack of better words..sux....sorry it has everyone on an up roar....

[Jeff]

hey i put a penguin on an oceanic,its great for carbon and also a small fuge.

[crob67]

I happened to walk in a petsmart today (never been in one before) and was impressed to see an employee drip acclimating about six buckets of guppies, goldfish, and cichlids

[satx-94integraLS]

yeah uhm, some of you who think petsmart sells SW need to get a cluestick.

other than that, ive had no beef w/ petsmart.

i get small things from them from time to time. there is even a hispanic guy workin the cichlid area (i forget his name) that i sold some sand too a while back. he knows what hes doing.

whoever came in here bashing petsmart and that guys fish area needs to back off.

ive bred and kept cichlids for more than 8 years and i can say frmo experience that the guy there running the fish area knows what hes doing.

i wanna say his name starts with an R or something...