A concern or Phil's rant

As I read so many posts asking the same question in different forms " why did my....... die? I am now working at one of my favorite fish stores Tropi-quatics in Lombard IL and hear the same question. Well here is a thought SLOOOOOW DOOOWWWN. How many people even on this site have been sacrificing one fish after another? Mistakes happen, parasites, disease, power outages, broken heaters, and quirky fish but how many other times is it too much too fast and driving the Bio load crazy? Just because you have room and can afford 10-15 fish doesn't mean add them in the same day. Some of the life we try to keep in our living room dies in days and weeks but lives decades in the wild. An example is anemones If you can't keep one 5 yrs or more don't buy them. Don't buy a fish just because its cool, pretty, aggressive, or everyone on the web says you should. Read, ask questions, and most of all be prepared. Don't buy a fish if the store can't tell you its diet.. Would buy a car if the salesman/dealer couldn't tell you what kind of gas it runs on? This hobby takes time and Patience the tanks that hold up and last are the ones put together slowly. I hate this conversation:
" What do you have in your tank?"
" Well I had a _____and it died what else can I put in?"
"How about_____?
"No they die too."
"How about_______?"
"No I had one for 3 weeks and it died"
The conversation goes like this for 10 minutes and at this point the true answer is you aren't trying enough and should take the tank down. My own wife would tell her daughters before she met me "Don't get attached to the fish they die." This while she keeps 3 goldfish in a bowl. I am not trying to sound like a know it all or hurt anyones feelings I just want to see this hobby grow and expand. But killing fish and spending big money to do so won't allow the growth to happen. 10 - 15 years ago in a store I used to manage the staff would take bets as to which tanks would be garage sale fodder first. If we don't slow down and educate ourselves it will still be like that today and at what costs to the reefs and planet? I have an idea/suggestion starting today don't think your tank is stable or ready fro more additions until you can go 3 months without a death by any means. Then add lightly and wait 3 months see if the deaths slow down or stop. Also Check feeding schedules, check water parameters more often,and most of all show Patience. I love this hobby and this site, There are members hear that amaze, dazzle and inspire me. Let's push for more education, Lets force ourselves to slow down and lead by example. This hobby is so much fun when you are successful. Let yourself enjoy your work even if it is one healthy inhabitant for a long while.
Well if you hung on this far I thank you and hope everyone still will listen and not think I am a lunatic.

 

I hear ya Phil.

Like Craig told me earlier this week - 'Speed kills.'

I think working in stores really makes you aware of it because you witness it on such a scale.

 

;D

Nice post Phil.

I feel ya, especially since I've made dumb mistakes in the past, and lost a few lives to them.

I posted a similar rant on the horseshoe crab thread. I felt like I might've hurt someones feelings, but it wasn't my intention. I just wanted to get my POV out there, "Why buy something you know will die?" Why risk it?

Just know that you're not alone in this. I think most, if not all 3reefers, sift through this forum and the web researching to keep their aquariums as hospitable as possible.

Here have some Karma.

 

Thanks for listening Guys! Yes I think this site is really good at taking it slow but I still see some that don't. Don't get me wrong I still cheat sometimes myself but after doing this forever and practiclly living in my tank when I do take shortcuts my fatality rate is near zero.
I also know that you can do everything right and lose fish ( how sucky is that!) I just wnat people to stop always looking for the quick fix or cure, and for God's sake don't keep throwing living animals at a problem hoping it goes away. I am willing to bet that some of the people reading this won't allow 2 deaths before they get deep into tthe tank looking for the cause. Yet there are some who think OH well It died when does the lfs open tommorrow? Want to save reefs? Start by saving your own tank. The less deaths the less needs the less needless destruction. Want to affaect pricing stop throwing away money by buying fish that you know nothing about, killing it and buying another one ( supply and demand)