Whose deal is better?

[pisces]

Okay, I found a little hole in the wall reef store, run by the owner, who is obviously passionate about his hobby/store. He gave good info, and with what I have read here and researched, he wasn't giving me a line of bull just to sell me stuff. In fact, he told me not to buy anything that day. Now here is the thing, he said that when someone starts a tank, he GIVES them 2 or 3 pieces of live rock AND some filter material, to help start the tank cycling. This sounded like a better deal than the fish store that was willing to sell me 2 damsels to filter with and then give me credit for them after. So what do you guys think? Who has the better deal, damsel fish guy, or live rock guy?

[tnguy86]

i'd go with the live rock. it's always important to have a good relationship with your lfs. i guarantee you that the lr and 'filter material' are worth much more than those damsels. even after you get your lr, it's only about 5 dollars for a damsel if you still want it. either way, you still get to keep your lr right??

[pisces]

Yeah, the live rock is a keeper, which made me think it was a better deal. The guy seemed pretty genuine, said he walks newbies thru it, step by step. Advised us(boyfriend who I have "recruited" and myself) against getting anything smaller than a 55 to start, which I already knew, because of the water chemistry stability. I have had a couple of LFS(including the damselfish guy)tell me that a 26 gallon would be no problem for someone who has never done this before.(Until I started questioning them, and then they had to backtrack. Oops, she knows something!). I figured that they just wanted to sell me something then and there and the heck with what happened after. Pretty much just seemed like the guy in the little store was really dedicated to what he did. I heard him advise someone against this really expensive, exotic looking anemone, because he felt that the guy wasn't really ready for it yet, and that kind of impressed me. So I think I will be dealing with him. Sounded like the better deal, but I am still mostly clueless and just wanted feedback. Thanks!

[Paidbychrist0825]

yes go with the live rock guy. he said no to a sale that would have made him money, because the customer was not reamy, and that shows some class. the normal store would have gone" yay a sucker!! lets sell him lots fo crap he doesnt need" but this guy said no. thats great. plus he helps you cycle your tank, and thats never a bad thing. build on that good store, and support him with your patronage

grumble grumble. everyone else has good pet places,and mine sucks:(

[pisces]

:lol: Okay, really, totally found this shop by accident. It is TINY. Almost drove right past it. If it makes you feel better, It is right by my boyfriends house, but over an hour from mine(Which is why I have recruited boyfriend who is now somewhat rabid about reef tanks. Show 'em a few pictures and they get hooked everytime! :wink: ) We will be keeping the tank at his house, and I will be taking care of anything that will be messy.(What else is new?) He is in on all the technical stuff. I explain what everything is, and he tells me why one pump/filter/light system/etc is better than the other. He will maintain that stuff. We may have to have a pre-nuptual agreement for the tank! But because we will be splitting the cost, we will be able to go bigger and better.

And hey, not to worry, I have a cichlid tank too, and I have YET to find a decent store that carries them! :-D

[tnguy86]

okay, so tell me again.... what is the problem with gettin both the free lr and damsels???

[pisces]

Well, so much for any of it. I just found out yesterday that I am losing my job of 17 years. Not a good time to start the tank. It will all have to wait now until I get a job. Great. But I will still be coming to the site and reading posts to educate myself, so don't be surprised if I still post questions.

[FishinInTheDark]

Pisces,

I'm so sorry. What a terrible thing to happen to you. My thoughts are with you.

Conni

[tnguy86]

dayam, so sorry to hear....

[pisces]

What really makes it hard is that my BF is getting laid off in June where he works, and yesterday I found out that I have about 6 months left at my job.(Different companies, believe it or not) So, I am saving my money and starting a job search NOW! But thanks everyone for the kind thoughts. Hey, maybe I will get a BETTER job!

[Paidbychrist0825]

let us hope. i know how the scramble for a job for your reef goes, and look at it this way, you dont hve the disadvantage of being 16

[pisces]

No, I have the disadvantage of being 39, self supporting, and afraid that I will wind up living in my car!

[Charles Poole]

You have to much passion to end up living in your car. I am very sorry to hear that you lost your job, but you will find another one. I am sure of that... :)

[pisces]

Thanks. I think that was a polite way of putting it! I get a little carried away sometimes! But this really does keep me up at nite! And it is more than a little terrifying! I have visions of living in my car on the side of the road, because, of course, I won't have money for gas! Never got laid off before. Not liking it at all. Thanks again to everyone for the support. I feel like I have a whole bunch of new friends here, That helps.

[Charles Poole]

Well, you can count me in as a friend.... :)

[pisces]

Isn't it amazing how fish bring people together... :-D

[Charles Poole]

Funny how that works huh? :wink:

[Paidbychrist0825]

simple things bind the hearts of men:) a small similarity can bring many together. man that first line is pretty good, huh?