BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Fish Stores Comments

Good news. I went to my LFS in Atlanta here and it is amazing. They have great, healthy fish and about 20 display aquariums includeing a 500 gallon coral reef setup. www.thefishstore.com

Question - they recommend getting a reverse-osmosis filter. How important is it? I use RO right now, but I just have a gallon to change. Should I invest in one?

Bad news. Went to Wal-Mart to look for fish supplies to set a tank up for my mom. The tanks looked clean, but there was no gravel, no plants just bare tanks. On top of that, most of the fish had severe ick and were still being sold. I almost wanted to buy all of them just so I knew they would get treated. I've decided that I will no longer shop at Wal-Mart, for various reasons, but the fish were the kicker. Petco is already on my bad list as well.

Yikes, I'm sorry for those poor fish, and the folks who buy them not knowing what they're getting. :angel:

After the clerk at PetSmart told me all African cichlids have white lumps on their fins, they're on my bad list. <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Walmart should not sell live animals, period. they used to sell rodents, and that was a disaster. they should stop with the fish too. my local walmart is trying - they have a few conscientious employees, but it's not enuff. corporate doesn't give the fish section the time or manpower to keep them healthy. And who knows what kind of rough handling they get on the loading docks.

My hubby won't shop there. I go in on thursday AMs to find the new bettas, looking for the unusual traits, to rescue and breed. And then I pass out advice - they are used to me by now. I show them which tanks are getting ich or fin rot, and place dead and sick bettas on their counter...they sell painted glassfish, which is terrible, and I have made my statement there too.

Sometimes they have a few nice fish in good condition - sometimes i take them home. My beloved Oscar, Xena, (the one is is still a tyke, but rapidly growing) is a walmart rescue.

but for the most part, I buy my fishes at the local fish stores that specialize and care for their charges.

oh, right, an RO filter. If you can afford it, get it. Always get the best you can get without breaking the budget! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Overfiltration is a plus. You can never over-filter!

I stopped a few people from buying fish while I was at walmart, so I felt I did as much as I could while I was there. I'd probably go in and treat them for ick and whatnot for free if they'd let me. Maybe I'll ask.

At my LFS, the prices are high, but I know the take great care of the fish and they are all beautiful. I fell in love with a $150 trigger fish, about 5" long. He was grey fading to white with cool baby blue and lime green stripes. And a yellow upper lip. Perfect fish, nothing wrong at all and he seemed really happy in his tank.

You can get an RO filter for 1 gallon tanks ?! I didn't know that...in fact...just to show how much I know...I thought those were only for marine tanks! :rolleyes:

Emg :beamedup:

Wasn't sure where to post this comment..didn't want to start a new thread..but..haha..I was surfing ebay for fish ponds...after reading Jilly's comment about how she won one there....and came accross this auction for one of those plastic ponds.

Anyway, this guy had the pond set up in his basement....for...."Alligators"! He had two alligators about 4 feet long...in his basement!!....they were for sale too, by the way.. :rolleyes:

Just a little blurb I thought I'd share...You just never know what you'll find out there I guess! Haha!

Emg :beamedup:

are you getting some alligators now, Emg?

to clarify the RO thing.. I go and buy reverse osmosis filtered water to change my tank with. The units can be used for drinking water as well as your fish.

oh, that. Tap water is best, as long as you add dechlorinator and a slime coat additive.