Don't knock it. Rock it.

When traveling to the pet stores you go to you will notice some not as nice as others. Some may have great livestock and knowledge while others are clueless and blueless. Some place quarantine everything and some don't even acclimate.

So what do you do when your local lfs or chain is under par?

Well the worst thing you can do is make general statements against the companies. This is just a waste if time.

When I find a place that is not what they could be I first will talk to the head honcho. Asking them what they recommend for a reef tank is a good ice breaker. They may or may not know what a reef even is. If they don't know ask if they have a specialist on staff.

If they don't than there you go. If it is a chain they usually have surveys and these are actually used believe it or not!

I did a phone survey that resulted in getting a phone call from the store manager and a long long talk about what he can do to make his undisclosed store more up to speed.

If you are at a mom and pop shop in this situation try the same thing. Often owners are not very educated on much else than business or what they did before they ran a pet store while others will flip out if they hear the word canister.

Believe it or not people will change ifbyouvknow how to deal with them. Don't get angry. Don't insult them. Just ask em if they need help. If they never agree or stay the same just don't go there anymore. There are plenty of fish in the sea.