What to look for in a LFS

If a tank has ich then the water quality is suspect.
The garlic oil from what I have heard is not a cure but a preventative solution.
If using this for ich then it would be like putting a bandaid on a bullet wound.

If a LFS said that to me I would wonder about his quality of water. And wonder why his fish have ich... are they stressed out because his mixture of fish is wrong? over crowding? water issues?
Go to the LSF early when they first open up and see how many dead fish they are taking out of the tanks. ask them what the Salinity is in the tanks. If they carry corals ask what the cal-alk-and pH of the tanks are, do they change water or is it a flow through, do they have some type of refugium set up, and last but very important- do they use RO/DI water in the tanks, If they use tap water then this could be the cause that is stressing the fish.
You will find some don't even test the tanks and that scares me, and the LFS is just selling stuff to be selling it.

 

Nautilus, I questioned the LFS again about the Garlic, and they said they don't use it as a cure but as a preventive. I must have misunderstood I guess? :

 

I had a Coral Beauty with Ich, it appeared a week after adding to the tank. I started to supplement the tank with Garlic Xtreme and added a Skunk Cleaner Shrimp. The Ich was gone in three days and has not returned. The fish to go insane when I add two drop s of Garlic to there Brine Shrimp, Scampi!! Now if the Garlic was responsible for the quick cure I can not say for sure but I am sold.

Regarding LFS, first thing I do is check out there show tanks. If they look bad I will not even entertain the thought of buying anything from them. In my home town there is only one store with nice show tanks and they get 100% of my business.

 

I think it is important to do research before and after going to the LFS. I like to have a LFS with an open mind to the reefing boards, as I gain the most valuable information here. A LFS that allows you to place a deposit on a fish and come back in a few days is really nice. I also feel that once you frequent a place often enough, you will get to know the staff....and therefore know who to trust. LFS that you are new to patronize at should ask what your inhabitants are before selling you certain fish and corals.

 

Thanks OmarD and Craig...great suggestions. I will feel a little better armed with knowledge. 8)

 

That would be sea cave.

 

Yep, not Buzz and Bees. Finally a local!!!