Just left Petco super depressed

WindeyD · Nov 3, 2015

I was in my local Petco today and was absolutely horrified at their marine section. All the fish were diseased and the tanks were loaded with nuisance algaes/diatoms. I haven't been in to a big box pet store in a while and seeing stuff like this makes me understand why some want to persecute our hobby. What have you guys/gals seen in the big box pet stores near you? I'm hoping my local store is not representative of what is out there nationwide. Ugh!!

ryanmell · Nov 3, 2015

I think it is hit or miss there are about 4 around my area and 2 are in bad shape but the other two are ran by a couple of reefers and those stores tanks look good and they care about their stock and the husbandry of the tanks so I think a lot of it matters about who works in that department.

DustinReefer · Nov 3, 2015

Petco here is the exact same way, I quit going there to buy any salt even just to hope they quit carrying marine products if they don't sell them. The tanks are filthy, livestock is in horrible health. Liverock looks like spray painted concrete. It's a ridiculous representation of the hobby in my opinion.

WindeyD · Nov 3, 2015

Super sad, if dogs/cats were kept in those conditions there would be outrage; keeping marine life entails a level of complexity that should not be left to the unskilled. I know how much most reefers care about our critters, it's a shame to see creatures given no chance for success

WindeyD · Nov 3, 2015

DustinReefer said:
Petco here is the exact same way, I quit going there to buy any salt even just to hope they quit carrying marine products if they don't sell them. The tanks are filthy, livestock is in horrible health. Liverock looks like spray painted concrete. It's a ridiculous representation of the hobby in my opinion.

cameronh · Nov 3, 2015

WindeyD said:
Super sad, if dogs/cats were kept in those conditions there would be outrage; keeping marine life entails a level of complexity that should not be left to the unskilled. I know how much most reefers care about our critters, it's a shame to see creatures given no chance for success

I agree with you, so you are from GA? What pet Co were you at?

zwulfke · Nov 3, 2015

Same by me it's sad to go in and see how bad it is

dmh41532 · Nov 3, 2015

Sounds like petco

joshkirkland83 · Nov 3, 2015

cameronh said:
I agree with you, so you are from GA? What pet Co were you at?

I didnt know there was one...

cameronh · Nov 3, 2015

joshkirkland83 said:
I didnt know there was one...

Statesboro man. It's right next door to little ceasars and hobby lobby

joshkirkland83 · Nov 3, 2015

Oh, thats why i didnt know that. I never go there. I go to athens tho

WindeyD · Nov 3, 2015

cameronh said:
I agree with you, so you are from GA? What pet Co were you at?

Cumming

cameronh · Nov 3, 2015

WindeyD said:
Cumming

Oh you are way up there

Sabellafella · Nov 3, 2015

Petland over by me , all there tanks are 88 degrees and litterally fishes are rotting away tail down whatta disgrace everything ive said theyve had an excuse for and theres nothing i can do about it

BetURWrasse · Nov 3, 2015

Hey guys I'm down in Columbus ga, our petco really isn't that bad anymore. Last year I wouldn't have bought anything and I'm not saying it's great but they appear to have started taking better care here.

WindeyD · Nov 3, 2015

Sounds like what I experienced may be more the rule than the exception; certainly one thing we can do is to never buy any reef tank livestock/dry goods from these stores and to spread that message far and wide. So long as these stores are making a profit on marine stuff this irresponsible awfulness will continue.