I stopped in one of my LFSs today and, as is my habit when learning new things as well as doing some retailer shopping, I decided to ask some questions to which I figured I already knew the answers and some that I didn't.* The answers I got mostly surprised me and now I'm wondering if it is me or my LFS that I need to worry about. Now, let me preface this by saying that, after being away from fish keeping for almost two decades, I don't think that I know better than the LFS... I doubt that I do. But I've been reading voraciously these past few weeks and I'm basically going on the advice that I'm trying to cobble together and resolve as many contradictions in this advice before I start actually working on my new setup in another month or so. So here goes...
1. I asked what their experiences were in keeping crays and fish together. Some people seem to think this is doable, but most seem to feel this is heartache on a timer. The LFS store basically concurred, but then suggested that if I wanted crustaceans for my aquarium, I should go with crabs as they wouldn't be a problem with fish. But doesn't the same issue apply?
2. I asked about filters. Money isn't too much of an issue and, even though I'm looking to run a freshwater tank, I've gotten the impression that the best potential filters are wet/dry (they're just expensive and a pain to set up). The LFS store basically said that wet/dry filters were for saltwater setups. They recommend cannister filters--which are also extremely good from what I've read--but they felt that Fluval made awful filters (though they stock Fluval) and stongly recommended Rena.
3. I've yet to do much reading on reverse osmosis setups as I got the impression that this was something that was geared more toward saltwater (although, since I haven't read much on RO, how the hell would I know? :roll: ). The LFS suggested that this was something that I should look into strongly and he discouraged me from going in a few other directions, such as....
4. Setting up a planted aquarium. Basically the LFS said this was mostly a waste of time as the plants always died. The LFS guy said the only thing he's been able to keep alive or any length of time are bamboo....
Okay, whaddya think? Am I being presumptuous here or is some of this stuff kinda sketchy? Any additional advice?
There are about five pet stores with decent fish selections within fifteen minutes of my house and this is just one of them, but it is the closest and they've been around for years.
Many thanks!
*- As an aside, if you're ever in a situation where you don't trust a salesperson--home theater stores are rampant for this--start by asking questions to which you already know the answers. If they lie, say goodbye.
1. I asked what their experiences were in keeping crays and fish together. Some people seem to think this is doable, but most seem to feel this is heartache on a timer. The LFS store basically concurred, but then suggested that if I wanted crustaceans for my aquarium, I should go with crabs as they wouldn't be a problem with fish. But doesn't the same issue apply?
2. I asked about filters. Money isn't too much of an issue and, even though I'm looking to run a freshwater tank, I've gotten the impression that the best potential filters are wet/dry (they're just expensive and a pain to set up). The LFS store basically said that wet/dry filters were for saltwater setups. They recommend cannister filters--which are also extremely good from what I've read--but they felt that Fluval made awful filters (though they stock Fluval) and stongly recommended Rena.
3. I've yet to do much reading on reverse osmosis setups as I got the impression that this was something that was geared more toward saltwater (although, since I haven't read much on RO, how the hell would I know? :roll: ). The LFS suggested that this was something that I should look into strongly and he discouraged me from going in a few other directions, such as....
4. Setting up a planted aquarium. Basically the LFS said this was mostly a waste of time as the plants always died. The LFS guy said the only thing he's been able to keep alive or any length of time are bamboo....
Okay, whaddya think? Am I being presumptuous here or is some of this stuff kinda sketchy? Any additional advice?
There are about five pet stores with decent fish selections within fifteen minutes of my house and this is just one of them, but it is the closest and they've been around for years.
Many thanks!
*- As an aside, if you're ever in a situation where you don't trust a salesperson--home theater stores are rampant for this--start by asking questions to which you already know the answers. If they lie, say goodbye.