Local live stock…?

[fortheloveofcrabs]

Hello,

I purchased a wonderful Yellow Tang from a local retailer here in Edmonton six days ago.

Anyways, this Yellow Tang was doing great. Yesterday it was swimming around, looking sharp and eating. This morning I woke up and to my dismay he had passed away something during the night. I quickly removed the poor little guy and tested my water.

Everything checked out:

Temp 80
SG was 1.023
Ammonium was 0ppm
No2 was 5ppm
No3 was 0ppm
and the PH was 8.11

The fairy wrasse which I had purchased with the tang was and still is doing just fine.

I haven’t done a water change or added anything since adding the new fish.

He looks good (the tang) – no abrasions, no marks, nothing.

Anyways, I purchased a yellow head jaw fish from this same retailer about 6 months ago that only lasted a few days and again everything checked out. They wouldn’t help me out (which I can understand to a degree) and said that sometimes that sort of thing just happens (a fish just dies unexpectedly).

Yes, it can happen.

Well, the next fish I get from them dies again? Hmmm, now I’m suspicious – everything else in my tank is doing great – fish and corals – so why the sudden death. I called today and spoke to the assistant manager and he said that I should put the fish in the freezer and that he will call me back tomorrow.

I’ve purchased fish from other stores and have had pretty good success with them – yes, I’ve lost some fish, but the vast majority I still have. Five years and counting for some.

The “less than a week” mortality rate of the fish from this retailer, for me, is high. So much so that if I don’t get some help from the retailer I won’t be shopping with them anymore, and that’s a real shame, because I like the store, but I can’t trust their live stock.

Anyways, they are going to tell me how this story ends tomorrow.

Either I will be thrilled that they are interested in customer service and maintain a standard or I will be disappointed that I have to go somewhere else…

Anyways, I feel it is important for us, the fish community, is fully aware of what happens, good or bad, at our stores because it affects us all. I’m not trying to take a stab at them, or put them down – I’ve had some really great experiences with them.

I will keep you posted…

[jvision]

Some stores in the city are just for harware and dry goods, IME... their livestock just cannot be trusted.

[fortheloveofcrabs]

The store did call me back the next day, just as promised.

They didn’t do much for me, however. They offered me 25% off of the purchase of my next fish from them. That’s not really the issue, now is it?

The fact of the matter is the “less than a week” mortality rate from this retailer is in the 50% rage – yikes. If I buy a $60 fish, I want more than six days out of it. Offering me $15 off another fish, which only has a 50/50 shot of living more than 7 days just isn’t good enough. I realize that most saltwater live stock retailers don’t offer a warranty on their stuff, but having been a retail manager for several years, I know there are always exceptions.

They did offer to help trouble shoot what happened – it could have been my sand bed. It could have been the fact that I added new fish. Fine. The fellow was very nice on the phone, understanding and sympathetic.

I’ve shopped this store for as long as I’ve been into the hobby. I’m a strong believer in customer loyalty, but it is a two way street. I’ve always liked the store and the staff.

The issue here, for me, is that although I’ve shopped with them for six years – they know my face and have my customer file – for the price of one fish, they are willing to write all of that off. They are willing to write off all the future business.

The only other bad experience I had there was when I purchased a flowerpot coral from them (albeit, this was half my fault because I should have done my homework first) but I was assured that it was an easy to care for LPS provided I buy “Reef Roids” and fed regularly. Sadly, just like most people out there, my alveopora did melt away a year later.

They are a little more expensive for some things, but I didn’t mind because I wanted to support local businesses. I had hoped that local business would have supported their customers – I guess I was wrong.

I’m off to find a new retailer - and not happy about it.

[fencer]

PM Kelly at the reef shoppe

[Underwater]

Kelly and his wife, Carla are FANTASTIC!! I drove all the way up there from Calgary...and it was worth it. They are pleasant, understanding and even have an emergency fish rescue set-up. I would check them out before going anywhere else. They may do this on the side, but it is because of their love of the hobby-not just to turn a quick buck.

JMO-
~M

[des_merc]

Where is the reed shoppe located so I can check it out.

thanks

[toxic111]

Kelly runs the Reef Shoppe out of his basement in Lloydminster... http://www.thereefshoppe.ca for his contact info.

Its best to call him after 5:30 in the evening, as he has a regular day job...

He is great to deal with, and will help you out with what he can.

[Doo]

Kelly is great to deal with and he comes to Edmonton all the time. His prices are also fantastic

[hillbillyreefer]

I just ordered a skimmer from Kelly this afternoon. It'll be here by the weekend. Great people to deal with.

[midgetwaiter]

Originally Posted by fortheloveofcrabs

Everything checked out:

Temp 80
SG was 1.023
Ammonium was 0ppm
No2 was 5ppm
No3 was 0ppm
and the PH was 8.11

You had a nitrite level of 5ppm. That's bad.