As a novice in the aquarium hobby, it may be daunting trying to navigate through all of the equipment, proper food, water specifications, lighting fixtures, and the list goes on, and on – and on. Not to worry, help is out there. Look no further than your LFS to guide you through the ins and outs of this intricate yet completely rewarding pastime. Alas, not all stores are created equal. The ones that have that certain je ne sais quoi will possess characteristics that make them outshine the rest. we’ll outline some key things to look for when you’re in need of some quality products and reliable advice.
Cleanliness and organization are things we look for in any setting. If you go into a restaurant that looks like it hasn’t been cleaned since the last solar eclipse, chances are it hasn’t. Higher chances are, you won’t get a nice, clean, quality product. Same goes for fish stores. Scope out the state of their shelves. Is it relatively easy to find what you’re looking for? Do they have fresh products in stock or are they past their expiration dates? Examine the condition of the tanks. Look for an overgrowth of green hair algae, dirty aquarium glass, dead or sick looking fish, aiptasia (or other pests that can affect the health of the tank), etc. Making sure you buy products from a store that takes pride in it’s aesthetics is a step in the right direction in ensuring you get high quality equipment and livestock for your tank.
It’s safe to say that customer service is one of the most, if not the most important attribute of any great business. It’s important that you can rely on staff to be consistent in their knowledge of products and patient as they answer all your hard-hitting fish related questions (and there will be many, many questions). Knowledge is power when it comes to being a successful aquarium hobbyist, and you’ll need a sensei, if you will, to guide you through the facets of keeping a pristine fish tank. There’s nothing worse than trying to spend your money somewhere and an employee treating you like they can’t be bothered. In an ideal fish store, not only will they welcome any questions you may have because they love the hobby too, but they’ll have the know-how to back it up.
Hearing the word ,“no” isn’t always easy but if it’ll save you the heartbreak of imploding your entire mini ecosystem, welcome it. Not all fish are compatible with each other and some coral need very specific circumstances in order to survive. As a novice, it’s important that your LFS put the well-being of your tank as top priority. An honest employee will be more apt to thoroughly educate you on what you’re buying than just hastily pushing inventory. After going over details such as your commitment level, tank size, and biological needs, your friendly local fish guru should have no hesitation in advising you not only what will, but will not work for your tank.
Business is business, but when it comes to livestock and equipment, stores should sell what they believe in and not necessarily what has the best margins. When spending our hard-earned money, quality is pivotal. We strive to ensure that not only are we getting the most bang for our buck, but trusted and reliable products to boot. Look for stores that carry merchandise they use and can back with proven results. Their staff should be able to provide a testament as to how they know these products work from their own personal experience. After all, if they’ve never tried it, how can they attest to its efficacy? There are a multitude of choices on the market and finding the right equipment or additive to fit your needs can be a toss-up, but with guidance from those who have done the leg work in trying and testing products, your risk of loss dramatically decreases.
Last but certainly not least comes the fun part—livestock. Picking out a healthy specimen can be challenging to the untrained eye, which is what makes it doubly important that your LFS implements a stringent quarantine protocol. You’ll want to look for fish and coral that are vibrant and robust. Question the process in which livestock are acclimated and medicated. Be assertive about asking to see the fish eat. Ensure they have several different treatments on hand to deal with a variety of health complications that may arise. Staff with an understanding of potential fish diseases and ailments is invaluable. As there can always be risks when introducing new critters to your tank, you should feel safe knowing that your fish store has taken all the proper precautions to control any unforeseen circumstances.
It’s easy to become intimidated and overwhelmed in the tank world as a beginner. Infact, 80% of hobbyists throw in the towel within the first 2 years out of sheer frustration. The key, like with most things in life, is to have patience. Like Teddy Roosevelt said, “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty”. The rewards don’t come fast, but they do come, and having friendly professionals at your disposal will save you tons of money and aggravation. As dedicated hobbyists, we take great pride in supporting the sustainability of the aquarium industry. So take your time and build a solid relationship with your LFS and you’ll undoubtedly achieve the pinnacle of your aquarium dreams.