OK... So here is the story... I go to a LFS just to look around and see what new livestock they have and I overhear a conversation between a salesperson and customer.
Salesperson - "So how long have you had your tank setup?"
Customer - "It's been a few days."
Salesperson - "What are your parameters like? Have you tested the tank?"
Customer - "Yeah it's all ok"
Salesperson - "When you say it's OK... What exactly do you mean? You've tested for nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, water temp?"
Customer - "What are those? I have a tank with some water and I mixed the salt in there. It's good."
So the conversation goes on about tank information, and the customer really didn't want to hear about it... Continues on with his "I have water and salt what else do I need." Now I just start laughing at where this is going as how many times a day do we read posts that say... "My parameters are all good". If you don't know where your parameters are, keep your salinity, your temp and any other pertinent information... how are they all good?
We on MR are such a mixed batch, ranging from the total noob that buys a cute little fish without proper research, to the anal retentive reef expert that needs to know that he can turn on all of his equipment through his/her smartphone. But we all somehow turn to mush when we see that new fish or coral in the glass box.
So in keeping on topic. What do you need to know about your future ideal wet pet? Well, for instance they need water. They need food. They need to be properly housed in an aquarium that is best suited for their needs.
You have to keep in mind that all of these guys are already brought up with the idea of that they need to swim, and some need space for swimming. These guys through thousands/millions of years of genetics know much space they will stay within, as many tropical fish may not wander past certain distances of their homes. So we take them from their billions of gallon homes and put them in little glass boxes not even 1% of the size they are used to, and hope for the best.
So now here we are looking at that potential livestock.
1. Fish need X volume of water.
2. Fish need X type of food.
3. Fish is/is not for experts.
4. Fish needs X temperature for water. etc etc etc....
Before you take that little critter home look it up on your that same smartphone that you are reading useless facebook updates and foursquare check ins on and look up the type of livestock and what its requirements are, before you commit to purchasing...
:goldfish2
Salesperson - "So how long have you had your tank setup?"
Customer - "It's been a few days."
Salesperson - "What are your parameters like? Have you tested the tank?"
Customer - "Yeah it's all ok"
Salesperson - "When you say it's OK... What exactly do you mean? You've tested for nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, water temp?"
Customer - "What are those? I have a tank with some water and I mixed the salt in there. It's good."
So the conversation goes on about tank information, and the customer really didn't want to hear about it... Continues on with his "I have water and salt what else do I need." Now I just start laughing at where this is going as how many times a day do we read posts that say... "My parameters are all good". If you don't know where your parameters are, keep your salinity, your temp and any other pertinent information... how are they all good?
We on MR are such a mixed batch, ranging from the total noob that buys a cute little fish without proper research, to the anal retentive reef expert that needs to know that he can turn on all of his equipment through his/her smartphone. But we all somehow turn to mush when we see that new fish or coral in the glass box.
So in keeping on topic. What do you need to know about your future ideal wet pet? Well, for instance they need water. They need food. They need to be properly housed in an aquarium that is best suited for their needs.
You have to keep in mind that all of these guys are already brought up with the idea of that they need to swim, and some need space for swimming. These guys through thousands/millions of years of genetics know much space they will stay within, as many tropical fish may not wander past certain distances of their homes. So we take them from their billions of gallon homes and put them in little glass boxes not even 1% of the size they are used to, and hope for the best.
So now here we are looking at that potential livestock.
1. Fish need X volume of water.
2. Fish need X type of food.
3. Fish is/is not for experts.
4. Fish needs X temperature for water. etc etc etc....
Before you take that little critter home look it up on your that same smartphone that you are reading useless facebook updates and foursquare check ins on and look up the type of livestock and what its requirements are, before you commit to purchasing...
:goldfish2
