I've worked at an LFS, ask me anything about them

[Aquageorge]

I seem to buy every new automation, timesaving and safety gadget that comes along. I'm also constantly upgrading lights and pumps, etc. Buying online from BRS or Amazon. I don't expect my LFS to have the ultra-advanced reefer products. I still go often to my LFS to see if I can cherry-pick one or two cool corals. The people are nice, I treat them well and they do the same. No one has mentioned all the social media sellers - Craigslist, Facebook, etc. I get most of my corals by visting other reefer's living rooms and buying from them. It's a nice thing to do.

 

[PeterC99]

@Spare time - this is a great threat, thank you for sharing your LFS experience!

Wondering if you plan on continuing working at LFS or are there other future work plans?

And now the question everyone wants to know - do you share your family & friends LFS discounts to Reefers here on R2R?

Thank you!

 

[Spare time]

@Spare time - this is a great threat, thank you for sharing your LFS experience!

Wondering if you plan on continuing working at LFS or are there other future work plans?

And now the question everyone wants to know - do you share your family & friends LFS discounts to Reefers here on R2R?

Thank you!

Haha I probably won't in the future (a bit too busy lol) but its a nice job for anyone wanting something part time.

And sadly I don't share discounts on here hahaha.

 

[Sleepingtiger]

I was wanting a longnose butterfly and I saw a beautiful specimen come in. I asked to see the fish eat, it didn't. The guy told me the fish just came in and comeback the next day. I came back a week later and saw the fish still there. However another customer was wanting the fish as well. I asked the salesman to feed the fish. It still didn't eat. The sales attendant was nervous as he was thinking i might spoof the other customer. I didn't and they convinced the other customer to buy the long nose butterfly. You can tell the fish was weak from not eating. I just shook my head and walked on. I understand the business needs to make money, but they basically sold a dead fish.

Will you sell a fish knowing its not eating and will die? I seen this at multiple stores where the fish didn't eat and sold anyways.

 

[Spare time]

I was wanting a longnose butterfly and I saw a beautiful specimen come in. I asked to see the fish eat, it didn't. The guy told me the fish just came in and comeback the next day. I came back a week later and saw the fish still there. However another customer was wanting the fish as well. I asked the salesman to feed the fish. It still didn't eat. The sales attendant was nervous as he was thinking i might spoof the other customer. I didn't and they convinced the other customer to buy the long nose butterfly. You can tell the fish was weak from not eating. I just shook my head and walked on. I understand the business needs to make money, but they basically sold a dead fish.

Will you sell a fish knowing its not eating and will die? I seen this at multiple stores where the fish didn't eat and sold anyways.

No I wouldn't sell one if it wasn't eating or doing well. The only scenario where that could happen is if I told the customer and they still wanted it. In this case, we would probably replace it if it died sometime recent after purchase.

1. I find it wrong to do

2. It hurts the relationship between the store and the customer

 

[ReefRxSWFL]

I agree that the should have everything that you need for an emergency situation. I don't think everything for a setup. We used to have a stock of tanks when I stated working at the store, but no one ever wanted what we had and anyways wanted us to order a different sized tank or colored stand. Our store is small so I can't have 30 tanks and 50 stands on hand. Even when we phased out stocking tanks it took 5 months selling them below cost.

We do give credit for traded in livestock. After my most recent experience of that trade in having velvet and decimating one of my systems In rethinking that one.

Words to live by. Quarantine everything

 

[ReefRxSWFL]

What store is this? I live in Boca and am in the FTL often

Blue Seas on University in Sunrise. Very small, but packed! Great prices on livestock too. When everyones 24k tangs were $450, theirs were $150. I grabbed another small Purple Tang , bc the Yellows were bigger than I wanted for the tank he was going in, and he was $125. Always great fish, and like I said, in Copper Power at 2.0 checked daily. Waterboxes if thats your flavor. If you need it, its there, and priced fairly. Want a $300 Disney chip, or a $20 no name healthy milli? Need a pump? If the Vectra is more than you want to spend? The Sicce will last longer than most folks stay in the hobby. But both in stock.

 

[ReefRxSWFL]

I’m SF as well. Seems they are are heavily dependent on live stock. Not much in the way of tanks or large inventory of equipment. I also often find I need to shop BRS because certain items not popular in the area. Do however try my best to support the LFS even if cost is slightly higher.

Id support if they seemd to care about your business

 

[GARRIGA]

Id support if they seemd to care about your business

Agreed. Goes without saying. Have one I mostly exclude other than convenience on dry goods because they are nearby but they seem to be more interested in nickel and dining you then earning your business and making money over the long term.

 

[GARRIGA]

Blue Seas on University in Sunrise. Very small, but packed! Great prices on livestock too. When everyones 24k tangs were $450, theirs were $150. I grabbed another small Purple Tang , bc the Yellows were bigger than I wanted for the tank he was going in, and he was $125. Always great fish, and like I said, in Copper Power at 2.0 checked daily. Waterboxes if thats your flavor. If you need it, its there, and priced fairly. Want a $300 Disney chip, or a $20 no name healthy milli? Need a pump? If the Vectra is more than you want to spend? The Sicce will last longer than most folks stay in the hobby. But both in stock.

I frequent blue seas as well. Jewel Aquatics on Sterling and 95 is another gem in the area.

 

[ReefRxSWFL]

Agreed. Goes without saying. Have one I mostly exclude other than convenience on dry goods because they are nearby but they seem to be more interested in nickel and dining you then earning your business and making money over the long term.

I have 6 tanks, ans they wont even order frozen Larrys or Rods, even if i buy their whole minimum order. 2 boxes of salt per month, lots of 2 part and acropower. Im not high maintenance, i just dont want to leave my house twice for the each purchase.

 

[ReefRxSWFL]

I frequent blue seas as well. Jewel Aquatics on Sterling and 95 is another gem in the area.

Jewel is ok. When their last, they have a bunch of wild colonies, which isnt my thing. Strictly Fish, and Exoctic Aquariums are good too, and Exotic builds tanks, and the prices are great. I had a rimless 2x2 cube 20 inches deep with internal overflows and 1/2 inch glass built for $350

 

[GARRIGA]

I have 6 tanks, ans they wont even order frozen Larrys or Rods, even if i buy their whole minimum order. 2 boxes of salt per month, lots of 2 part and acropower. Im not high maintenance, i just dont want to leave my house twice for the each purchase.

Which store is this?

 

[GARRIGA]

Jewel is ok. When their last, they have a bunch of wild colonies, which isnt my thing. Strictly Fish, and Exoctic Aquariums are good too, and Exotic builds tanks, and the prices are great. I had a rimless 2x2 cube 20 inches deep with internal overflows and 1/2 inch glass built for $350

Exotic builds tanks for other stores too. They built the tanks for a local discus importer. They’ve been around a longtime. Recall then from 20 years ago.

Ocean Gallery has nice stuff at times. Another place where parking is mess. My heart beats fast every time I’m trying to leave and deal with Bird Rd traffic doing 90 in a 45

 

[ReefRxSWFL]

Which store is this?

Its on the gulf coast, not on the east coast

 

[ReefRxSWFL]

Exotic builds tanks for other stores too. They built the tanks for a local discus importer. They’ve been around a longtime. Recall then from 20 years ago.

Ocean Gallery has nice stuff at times. Another place where parking is mess. My heart beats fast every time I’m trying to leave and deal with Bird Rd traffic doing 90 in a 45

They built the big tank at Blue Seas, and all the frag tanks at Strictly fish too

 

[GARRIGA]

They built the big tank at Blue Seas, and all the frag tanks at Strictly fish too

Was going to have them build stands for my fish room. Then I discovered 80/20 extruded aluminum and decided another path until I just have ip on the room. Wife wanting a guest room ruined that.

Them and Reef Savvy on my list for my upcoming custom DT. If only those floors get done. Not messing with moving a large tank although have considered just doing a small section and propping the tank up then flooring around it. Would give me the option to level that foundation and brace the stand to the floor for added stability. Hmmmm….

 

[ReefRxSWFL]

Was going to have them build stands for my fish room. Then I discovered 80/20 extruded aluminum and decided another path until I just have ip on the room. Wife wanting a guest room ruined that.

Them and Reef Savvy on my list for my upcoming custom DT. If only those floors get done. Not messing with moving a large tank although have considered just doing a small section and propping the tank up then flooring around it. Would give me the option to level that foundation and brace the stand to the floor for added stability. Hmmmm….

Im happy with Planet Aquariums. I cant think of anything thats justifies the price then the unreliable wait time on a Reef Saavy

 

[GARRIGA]

Im happy with Planet Aquariums. I cant think of anything thats justifies the price then the unreliable wait time on a Reef Saavy

Told RS has now shorter delivery times. Are pricy. Does exotic cost less with low iron glass?

 

[ReefRxSWFL]

Told RS has now shorter delivery times. Are pricy. Does exotic cost less with low iron glass?

If a tank is only available in low iron glass, i wont buy it. Thats one big the reason I have 2 Planet Mega Matrix tanks. Standard glass is an option , and i took it both times.