Petco is so irresponsible......but what's new?

BigJohnny · May 13, 2016

I was checking to see if Petco still had their $/gallon sale and stumbled upon this irresponsible "guide"

Wait 24-48 hrs haha? Would it be so hard to tell people to cycle the tank?! They could even use that opportunity to sell bacteria in a bottle products. I get that they are trying to portray it as a simple process in order to entice more people to get into it, but its irresponsible and messed up IMO.

Sabellafella · May 13, 2016

Then there madd when their customer wants a refund for the poor dead fish the next day

BigJohnny · May 13, 2016

Yep, messed up. I really need that $/gallon though ha

Ivandrago · May 13, 2016

the fish at petco always look bad, on top of that petco bough liveaquaria whcih is also bad news

ReeferMaddness843 · May 13, 2016

Only reason I go is dollar a gallon or if in a pinch for salt. Cyano on everything, frags rolling around, ich, dead half eaten fish, should I keep going?
"Add conditioner" rather than chance to sell RODI unit as well. All about that quick buck over long term customer. Following their advice there im sure drives many people from the hobby.

Humblefish · May 13, 2016

IME; 24-48 hrs is fine if adding freshwater fish (looks like a FW setup in the pic.) But you only want to add a few and they should be hardy species. The nitrogen cycle for FW is nowhere near as harsh as it is for SW.

ReeferMaddness843 · May 13, 2016

"Fill tank with water and add salt or conditioner"

MOPAR · May 13, 2016

My fish dont ask for much, but when they do they want a spongebod pineapple, the krusty krab and blue gravel.

Humblefish · May 13, 2016

ReeferMaddness843 said:
"Fill tank with water and add salt or conditioner"

Some people like to add a little salt to their FW tank.

Hey, y'all stop picking on Petco! That's where I get all my diseased fish to treat!

ReeferMaddness843 · May 13, 2016

I guess good advice if adding salt to battle the ich from the fish bought at same time as buying tank. Lol. Im done bashing. Gotta feed my fish. Lol

Humblefish · May 13, 2016

In the fish disease forum we all shudder when a thread starts out with, "So I bought this fish from Petco" .....

joshkirkland83 · May 13, 2016

rayn · May 13, 2016

ReeferMaddness843 said:
"Fill tank with water and add salt or conditioner"

In my freshwater days I added salt to the tank. Nothing close to saltwater levels, but it was beneficial. Maybe it's brackish?

ReeferMaddness843 · May 13, 2016

I did as well.

BoneXriffic · May 13, 2016

Yes that guide is fine for freshwatee...as ot appears they are referring to....still though BURN DOWN ALL THE PETCOS

malira · May 13, 2016

BigJohnny said:
I was checking to see if Petco still had their $/gallon sale and stumbled upon this irresponsible "guide"

Wait 24-48 hrs haha? Would it be so hard to tell people to cycle the tank?! They could even use that opportunity to sell bacteria in a bottle products. I get that they are trying to portray it as a simple process in order to entice more people to get into it, but its irresponsible and messed up IMO.

Yes they are but not for this. It's freshwater instructions.

icedgxe · May 13, 2016

I agree that most Petcos are not taken care of as well, but not all are created equal. There are two Petcos close to me that are both pretty nice. The on closest has a nice selection, the fish always look good for the most part, and hey have a good selection. Mini carpets, a regular carpet last time I was there, and easier corals that look pretty healthy. They even had a green banded goby that they had separated because of its small size and it being shy. The one a bit further had a beautiful pair of snowflakes that I was eyeing but they informed me that they suspected something was going on with their saltwater fish. They had a hold on all their saltwater fish as they were treating for the disease and wouldn't sell any of the fish.

salttanklife · May 13, 2016

I started my first tank with coral and fish from Petco. I went there before going by the lfs and compared prices. I learned quick that even though Petco was a little cheaper, it cost me more in the long run.

When I got my current tank, the wife and myself looked at each other at the same time and said... No Petco for livestock. Nothing in my tank is from Petco other than carbon

Tahoe61 · May 13, 2016

My Petco is pretty good. I have a fantastic Coral Beauty and a gorgeous pair of Clowns that I got there. I have seen equal bad or worse local fish stores. Choose wisely, know the common disease and treatment and basic husbandry techniques for what your buying.