×
Retirement and forum shutdown (17 Jan 2022)
Hi,
John Howell who has managed the forum for years is getting on and wishes to retire from the role of managing it.
Over the years, he has managed the forum through good days and bad days and he has always been fair.
He has managed to bring his passion for fish keeping to the forum and keep it going for so long.
I wish to thank John for his hard work in keeping the forum going.
With John wishing to "retire" from the role of managing the forum and the forum receiving very little traffic, I think we must agree that forum has come to a natural conclusion and it's time to put it to rest.
I am proposing that the forum be made read-only from March 2022 onwards and that no new users or content be created. The website is still registered for several more years, so the content will still be accessible but no new topics or replies will be allowed.
If there is interest from the ITFS or other fish keeping clubs, we may redirect traffic to them or to a Facebook group but will not actively manage it.
I'd like to thank everyone over the years who helped with forum, posted a reply, started a new topic, ask a question and helped a newbie in fish keeping. And thank you to the sponsors who helped us along the away. Hopefully it made the hobby stronger.
I'd especially like to thank John Howell and Valerie Rousseau for all of their contributions, without them the forum would have never been has successful.
Thank you
Darragh Sherwin
Carlow pet store
- Avonmore (Pat Cullen)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 67
- Thank you received: 0
03 Jul 2008 23:43 #1
by Avonmore (Pat Cullen)
Carlow pet store was created by Avonmore (Pat Cullen)
Hi All
As I work in the Carlow area I have from time to time called in on a pet super store(Should I name the store?) for a few of the basics and cheched out the tanks. A nice sellection of fish on my 1st visit about 3 months ago. Called in againg about 6 week ago and seen a few dead fish and told the staff about it and was told \"oh No, not again\". The Problems I guessed would be sorted out, I was wrong. I was there yesterday getting a tub of food and counted 65 dead fish and bits of dead fish. I asked a member of staff what was the problem and was told there is nothing wrong, it's normal.
I'm only fishing keeping since xmas and kinda new but surly this is not normal? I have never bought fish there, and only have bought fish from one of our sponcors and have never seen a dead fish in that shop.
Does any of the members live or shop in the carlow area? I think they need some advise from someone more experience than I.
Pat
As I work in the Carlow area I have from time to time called in on a pet super store(Should I name the store?) for a few of the basics and cheched out the tanks. A nice sellection of fish on my 1st visit about 3 months ago. Called in againg about 6 week ago and seen a few dead fish and told the staff about it and was told \"oh No, not again\". The Problems I guessed would be sorted out, I was wrong. I was there yesterday getting a tub of food and counted 65 dead fish and bits of dead fish. I asked a member of staff what was the problem and was told there is nothing wrong, it's normal.
I'm only fishing keeping since xmas and kinda new but surly this is not normal? I have never bought fish there, and only have bought fish from one of our sponcors and have never seen a dead fish in that shop.
Does any of the members live or shop in the carlow area? I think they need some advise from someone more experience than I.
Pat
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- pointer28 (Noel Lambert)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 62
- Thank you received: 0
04 Jul 2008 08:26 #2
by pointer28 (Noel Lambert)
Replied by pointer28 (Noel Lambert) on topic Re:Carlow pet store
Hi,
No, it's not normal to have tanks full of dead fish. At the very least they could make the effort to take the dead fish out of the tanks.
Yes, it is normal that there is a mortality rate in fish deliveries, that is why the better aquatic shops operate a quarantine system and don't sell any of the fish for a week after delivery, that way they know they are healthy and free from disease.
I know of one of these \"super\" stores that gets fish deliveries every Thursday and the fish are put on sale as soon as they arrive. I have bought fish from here in the past, and to be honest, I have had lots of losses within a few days from these purchases.
On the other hand, I have made the effort to travel to some of our sponsors shops (one in particular), and can hand on heart say that I have never had a dead fish yet from this particular shop in the first couple of weeks. They also made the effort to ask what other fish I had in the tank, and what my water parameters were. That's the way it should be done !!
There is a big difference between a pet shop that sells fish and a proper aquatic shop.
No, it's not normal to have tanks full of dead fish. At the very least they could make the effort to take the dead fish out of the tanks.
Yes, it is normal that there is a mortality rate in fish deliveries, that is why the better aquatic shops operate a quarantine system and don't sell any of the fish for a week after delivery, that way they know they are healthy and free from disease.
I know of one of these \"super\" stores that gets fish deliveries every Thursday and the fish are put on sale as soon as they arrive. I have bought fish from here in the past, and to be honest, I have had lots of losses within a few days from these purchases.
On the other hand, I have made the effort to travel to some of our sponsors shops (one in particular), and can hand on heart say that I have never had a dead fish yet from this particular shop in the first couple of weeks. They also made the effort to ask what other fish I had in the tank, and what my water parameters were. That's the way it should be done !!
There is a big difference between a pet shop that sells fish and a proper aquatic shop.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- AndyT (Andy Taylor)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 80
- Thank you received: 0
04 Jul 2008 11:35 #3
by AndyT (Andy Taylor)
170L Bowfront Community Tank : Heavily planted : CO2 : T5 lighting
Replied by AndyT (Andy Taylor) on topic Re:Carlow pet store
I think I know the particular garden centre that you refer to. I'm not going to name it. Every time i've called in the tanks are full of dead or sick fish.
I questioned a manager on it one day and they seemed to think it was normal too. Clueless.
Just another reason to stick to sponsors shops and specialist sellers. I don't buy fish from tree sellers.
I questioned a manager on it one day and they seemed to think it was normal too. Clueless.
Just another reason to stick to sponsors shops and specialist sellers. I don't buy fish from tree sellers.
170L Bowfront Community Tank : Heavily planted : CO2 : T5 lighting
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Fishowner (Gavin fishowner)
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 2030
- Thank you received: 102
04 Jul 2008 12:36 #4
by Fishowner (Gavin fishowner)
Replied by Fishowner (Gavin fishowner) on topic Re:Carlow pet store
I raised this issue before also and it certainly is a case of know your pet shop before you go buying. I have 2 pet shops in my area. One is a garden centre and continues to have dead fish above the norm. Coupled with the fact that when I looked for Shrimp last week the shop owner said \"Shrimp is it,Id say try the supermarket!\". So the other shop didnt have shrimp either but gave lots of advise where to get them etc..I only ever deal with the pet shop dedicated to the Fish. They have about 20 tanks at least and have an array of fish and are well informed.(Lucky for me its only a 4 min walk from my house also!). So for anyone unsure of buying from pet shops, remember its a business to them,they will sell you whatever they want. The shops who tell you no you cant stock an angel with baby fry etc..they are the shops to do the business with as they know what fishkeeping is about.
Gavin
Gavin
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Avonmore (Pat Cullen)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 67
- Thank you received: 0
05 Jul 2008 20:47 #5
by Avonmore (Pat Cullen)
Replied by Avonmore (Pat Cullen) on topic Re:Carlow pet store
Andy T, just a note to say that it is a pet shop and not a garden centre. This place does have a fine selection of fish and tanks and should have some staff that knows about fish. I did over hear a member of staff saying that they offer a 48 hour replacement for your fish if they die. I don't think that good enough, not that they will replace the dead fish in 48 hours but that fact that they seem to need to offer that policy. It really is a fine shop and could be a great shop if only they had someone that knew about fish keeping.
Anyway, I only have ever been to one of our sponcors shops and would never dream of buying fish anywhere else but its an hour and a half for me and as I work the Carlow area I have to get some basic stuff somewhere.
Well done to the sponcors shop for running a zero dead fish policy.
Pat
Anyway, I only have ever been to one of our sponcors shops and would never dream of buying fish anywhere else but its an hour and a half for me and as I work the Carlow area I have to get some basic stuff somewhere.
Well done to the sponcors shop for running a zero dead fish policy.
Pat
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- AndyT (Andy Taylor)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 80
- Thank you received: 0
07 Jul 2008 11:30 #6
by AndyT (Andy Taylor)
170L Bowfront Community Tank : Heavily planted : CO2 : T5 lighting
Replied by AndyT (Andy Taylor) on topic Re:Carlow pet store
Pat, apologies. I had a different place in mind (which is a garden centre) Glad I didn't name them now! 
170L Bowfront Community Tank : Heavily planted : CO2 : T5 lighting
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BJHillson (Brett Hillson)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 81
- Thank you received: 0
07 Jul 2008 14:55 #7
by BJHillson (Brett Hillson)
Replied by BJHillson (Brett Hillson) on topic Re:Carlow pet store
Its not a Carlow thing anyway, over in the West its a knightmare to, every time I go tot he fish shops there are always to many dead fish than there should be. And the advise can be very poor, no wonder people end up buying the wrong fish for there tanks, I overheard a conversation with a member of staff to a customer no the Plecs dont get very big at all! the customer didnt have a clue what she was buying and the staff didnt ask the right questions, most just want the sale. I have managed to get down to one of the local sponsors twice (its well over an hours drive) but each time its been just before new stock has come in, so unfortuantly havnt had mush quality browsing time as of yet, but the staff there knew what they were talking about and were very friendly.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- BJHillson (Brett Hillson)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 81
- Thank you received: 0
07 Jul 2008 15:01 #8
by BJHillson (Brett Hillson)
Replied by BJHillson (Brett Hillson) on topic Re:Carlow pet store
Its not a Carlow thing anyway, over in the West its a knightmare to, every time I go tot he fish shops there are always to many dead fish than there should be. And the advise can be very poor, no wonder people end up buying the wrong fish for there tanks, I overheard a conversation with a member of staff to a customer no the Plecs dont get very big at all! the customer didnt have a clue what she was buying and the staff didnt ask the right questions, most just want the sale. I have managed to get down to one of the local sponsors twice (its well over an hours drive) but each time its been just before new stock has come in, so unfortuantly havnt had mush quality browsing time as of yet, but the staff there knew what they were talking about and were very friendly.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- john kelly (John Kelly)
-
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 164
- Thank you received: 0
08 Jul 2008 21:46 #9
by john kelly (John Kelly)
Replied by john kelly (John Kelly) on topic Re:Carlow pet store
hey guys can some one pm me withe the name of the shops in question as i dont want to go down there tks ill keep it quiet promise
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- JohnH (John)
-
- Offline
- Administrator
-
Less
More
- Posts: 6067
- Thank you received: 857
08 Jul 2008 22:05 #10
by JohnH (John)
Location:
N. Tipp
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.
ITFS member.
It's a long way to Tipperary.
Replied by JohnH (John) on topic Re:Carlow pet store
A shop is only ever as good as a) its stock and b) the person charged with looking after that stock.
So, just maybe an approach might be able to be made to the shop mentioned by Pat and others in this thread with offer of advice...perhaps they'll not be interested in being helped, in which case they will then deserve
all this criticism and more - but let's try to help first...
So, if anyone has some sort of point of contact for this establishment perhaps they'll pass it on and Admin can see what might be done...
A web or email address would be most helpful - or even a good old-fashioned mailing address, we can but try.
But I must stress the name should be sent to Admin by Personal Message, it wouldn't do for the name to be posted on open Forum.
John
So, just maybe an approach might be able to be made to the shop mentioned by Pat and others in this thread with offer of advice...perhaps they'll not be interested in being helped, in which case they will then deserve
all this criticism and more - but let's try to help first...
So, if anyone has some sort of point of contact for this establishment perhaps they'll pass it on and Admin can see what might be done...
A web or email address would be most helpful - or even a good old-fashioned mailing address, we can but try.
But I must stress the name should be sent to Admin by Personal Message, it wouldn't do for the name to be posted on open Forum.
John
Location:
N. Tipp
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.
ITFS member.
It's a long way to Tipperary.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Avonmore (Pat Cullen)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 67
- Thank you received: 0
09 Jul 2008 20:16 #11
by Avonmore (Pat Cullen)
Replied by Avonmore (Pat Cullen) on topic Re:Carlow pet store
Hi John, I think that would be a good idea, so If the Admin's are interested in following up this, send me a PM and I'll pass on the info.
I think this could be a good shop and that maybe some good advise would benifit them greatly. I really don't think I have the experience to advise them.
Pat
I think this could be a good shop and that maybe some good advise would benifit them greatly. I really don't think I have the experience to advise them.
Pat
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- sheag35 (Seamus Gillespie)
-
- Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- 086 8442267
Less
More
- Posts: 2740
- Thank you received: 274
10 Jul 2008 01:46 #12
by sheag35 (Seamus Gillespie)
Fishkeeping the Only way to get wet and wild
currently 25 tanks, and breeding is the aim of everything i keep
location:Limerick
Replied by sheag35 (Seamus Gillespie) on topic Re:Carlow pet store
why oh why aren't there regulatory bodies for pet stores it would sort out all these rubbish shops if we had shops which had to pass something like the o.a.t.a certification before they where allowed open, yes i know its bureaucratic red tape etc. but for quality of stock etc. we need this our sponsors have the knowledge we all know that but how many shops are running who simply don't have a clue... ok my rant is now over but shops of this quality brass me right off
Seamus
Seamus
Fishkeeping the Only way to get wet and wild
currently 25 tanks, and breeding is the aim of everything i keep
location:Limerick
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Gerard_Evans (Gerard Evans)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 68
- Thank you received: 1
14 Jul 2008 13:19 #13
by Gerard_Evans (Gerard Evans)
Replied by Gerard_Evans (Gerard Evans) on topic Re:Carlow pet store
I have passed on the problems about the store to the company management
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- russell (russell)
-
- Visitor
-
18 Jul 2008 08:46 #14
by russell (russell)
Replied by russell (russell) on topic Re:Carlow pet store
Hi All
This is one in my area. I spoke to the manager about two months after opening about the condition and care of the Fish, unfortunately hardly any spoke understandable English. the staff is mainly Rumanian etc. they run a PET store and fish is just a side line. NONE of the staff have any knowledge on fish. not even the basics. the fish are chased all round the tank when trying to net them. you usualy end up with a pound of gravel in the net as well!!!!
They have a large selection of tanks and accesories but NO Knowledge of fish. I mentioned the fact that we had a web site that could assist them but no interest was shown.
So Buyer beware!!!!!!!!!!
This is one in my area. I spoke to the manager about two months after opening about the condition and care of the Fish, unfortunately hardly any spoke understandable English. the staff is mainly Rumanian etc. they run a PET store and fish is just a side line. NONE of the staff have any knowledge on fish. not even the basics. the fish are chased all round the tank when trying to net them. you usualy end up with a pound of gravel in the net as well!!!!
They have a large selection of tanks and accesories but NO Knowledge of fish. I mentioned the fact that we had a web site that could assist them but no interest was shown.
So Buyer beware!!!!!!!!!!
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Avonmore (Pat Cullen)
- Offline
- Junior Member
-
Less
More
- Posts: 67
- Thank you received: 0
19 Jul 2008 22:50 #15
by Avonmore (Pat Cullen)
Replied by Avonmore (Pat Cullen) on topic Re:Carlow pet store
HI Russel.
I didn't start this thread to slate any nationality, I only wanted somebody with more fishkeeping experiemce than me and livng or shoping in the carlow area to drop in and advise the owners or management on how to keep the tanks.
I have never seen any nationality other that Irish guy n gals working this shop. Plus I never said which store it was. I did give the name to a mod and trust them to look after this problem or at least try as best they can.
So guys, I thank you all for your help and input and it is now in the hands of our mods.
Pat
I didn't start this thread to slate any nationality, I only wanted somebody with more fishkeeping experiemce than me and livng or shoping in the carlow area to drop in and advise the owners or management on how to keep the tanks.
I have never seen any nationality other that Irish guy n gals working this shop. Plus I never said which store it was. I did give the name to a mod and trust them to look after this problem or at least try as best they can.
So guys, I thank you all for your help and input and it is now in the hands of our mods.
Pat
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- russell (russell)
-
- Visitor
-
20 Jul 2008 08:35 - 20 Jul 2008 10:08 #16
by russell (russell)
Replied by russell (russell) on topic Re:Carlow pet store
*******
I am not knocking any nationality. just stating the communication problems with staff. ******** is a a store selling Dogs -Cats -Rabbits- Goldfish -Reptiles etc, and the fish are a sideline.
EDIT : Deleted the name of the shop
I am not knocking any nationality. just stating the communication problems with staff. ******** is a a store selling Dogs -Cats -Rabbits- Goldfish -Reptiles etc, and the fish are a sideline.
EDIT : Deleted the name of the shop
Last edit: 20 Jul 2008 10:08 by ().
Please Log in to join the conversation.
Time to create page: 0.069 seconds