Need your guys help!

nowell · 08/30/2009, 07:47 PM

Hey all. So I have been talking with my local petco. I have volunteered 2 hours a week (each sunday) to work with their fish person in their saltwater section. Needless to say I have my work cut out for me. As everyone is aware, these stores are bad. I mean they are selling a bleached nem as a "rare white anemone"!!

I have fostered a pair of clows that were on the way out. One has made it, the other is about to lose the fight it seems.

Anyway, here is my question ... I know that I can't "fix" everything. Im looking at this like working in any other shelter. I need to try and make their lives has happy as possible, even with my limited time. I feel its better to do something, however small, than nothing at all. The list I have so far:

- Teach employees basic salt water husbandry
- Set protocol for water change schedules (including matching salinity, temp, ph, etc)
- Try and advise on the purchase of specimens for resale (granted this might be hard)
- Lay down a maintenance schedule (have an employee thats overly excited to learn and help)
- Feeding schedule
- Logs for testing, work, etc (that I can keep up on each week to make sure the above is getting done)

What else can you all think of that I could try an implement given the short time, and the limited resources to this?

Am crazy for even doing this? I'm not asking for money, or compensation of any sort, just trying to provide for my love of the hobby and to educate others.

Shane Hoffman · 08/30/2009, 08:00 PM

I admire your dedication and good luck...

I would emphasize to them that it is ok to tell a customer if they cant answer a question. I would much rather hear a lfs employee say I am sorry I am not sure I can answer that question and go check a book or something as opposed to feeling they have to say something to look smart and end up giving bad advice....

IridescentLily · 08/30/2009, 09:06 PM

I admire your goal very much. :-)

Playa-1 · 08/30/2009, 09:21 PM

I would advise upper management to either get into this side of the business, take it on and train their people or get out of it all together. This half assed approach that they take is bs

They should know better....

pmrossetti · 08/30/2009, 09:30 PM

Noble effort, but they should get out of saltwater. I don't think they're equiped to handle. Local fish stores are challenged enough. Good luck though!

michael.lemke · 08/31/2009, 08:35 AM

my local petco finally did get rid of the salt THANK GOD! best of luck and thanks for helping.

08/30/2009, 07:47 PM	#1
nowell Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Houston TX Posts: 56	Need your guys help! Hey all. So I have been talking with my local petco. I have volunteered 2 hours a week (each sunday) to work with their fish person in their saltwater section. Needless to say I have my work cut out for me. As everyone is aware, these stores are bad. I mean they are selling a bleached nem as a "rare white anemone"!! I have fostered a pair of clows that were on the way out. One has made it, the other is about to lose the fight it seems. Anyway, here is my question ... I know that I can't "fix" everything. Im looking at this like working in any other shelter. I need to try and make their lives has happy as possible, even with my limited time. I feel its better to do something, however small, than nothing at all. The list I have so far: - Teach employees basic salt water husbandry - Set protocol for water change schedules (including matching salinity, temp, ph, etc) - Try and advise on the purchase of specimens for resale (granted this might be hard) - Lay down a maintenance schedule (have an employee thats overly excited to learn and help) - Feeding schedule - Logs for testing, work, etc (that I can keep up on each week to make sure the above is getting done) What else can you all think of that I could try an implement given the short time, and the limited resources to this? Am crazy for even doing this? I'm not asking for money, or compensation of any sort, just trying to provide for my love of the hobby and to educate others.

08/30/2009, 08:00 PM	#2
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	I admire your dedication and good luck... I would emphasize to them that it is ok to tell a customer if they cant answer a question. I would much rather hear a lfs employee say I am sorry I am not sure I can answer that question and go check a book or something as opposed to feeling they have to say something to look smart and end up giving bad advice.... __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

08/30/2009, 09:06 PM	#3
IridescentLily Editor-Reefkeeping mag Join Date: May 2008 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 3,858 Blog Entries: 5	I admire your goal very much. :-) __________________ ~April Editor-Reefkeeping Magazine

08/30/2009, 09:21 PM	#4
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I would advise upper management to either get into this side of the business, take it on and train their people or get out of it all together. This half assed approach that they take is bs They should know better....

08/30/2009, 09:30 PM	#5
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	Noble effort, but they should get out of saltwater. I don't think they're equiped to handle. Local fish stores are challenged enough. Good luck though!

08/31/2009, 08:35 AM	#6
michael.lemke Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: greeley co Posts: 395	my local petco finally did get rid of the salt THANK GOD! best of luck and thanks for helping.