Petsmart, Petco, etc

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I work at petsmart and I can tell you there is good and bad. We have two separate filtration systems, one for feeders and one for everything else. This means that from goldfish to cichlids everyone is at the same temp. The filtration system is massive and has multiple uv sterilizers, we also treat the system with mal green weekly. On the down side our supplier sucks. If we get in 200 fish, there are 30+ dead ones. Fish are bagged 5-10 per bag, plecos more. Most of the problems we have are ich, ammonia burn from their time in the bags, and fungus. I'd recommend you find out what day the shipment is delivered (usually Fridays during the winter) and wait a few days before purchasing to weed out the sick ones. On the plus side, most of my coworkers know the basics of fish keeping. We teach the nitrogen cycle and do not sell fish that aren't compatible into the same tank. I'd never buy anything from my petsmart except rosy reds but to each their own.


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i think chain pet stores are a hit or miss... most petco/petsmarts that i've been to have maybe one specialist for the fish section... most of the time of course they're not there and joe blow is the one manning the department and of course he knows nothing about fish... most of the time i see dead half rotten fish at petco so i generally don't like to buy from them... also as previously mentioned chain stores seem to have crappy selection specially if you're looking for something more on the uncommon side.

there IS one chain store that i like to go to in my area called pet club, the guy that mans the fish section there is a hobbyist and is very knowledgable about the fish he sells and practices responsibly.

there are two LFSs in my area, one that is 5 miles from my house another that is 20 miles from my house. i go to the one 20 miles from my house, the owner is much friendlier, tanks cleaner, stock is overall better... well i guess depending on what fish you're looking for. his prices are also reasonable. in general i like my LFS better than petco/petsmart...
 
Tommyb130 said:
No I was talkin about the one by crossgates. I go to eddies all the time. Sometimes a little overpriced but they are good


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I will have to check that one out. The one in Latham is horrible I got to many diseased fish from there finally learned my lesson. I hit Eddies a couple times a week. they are pricey but they get nice stuff. I also like supporting local.
 
the petco by me has a very small fish selection as for fish and supplies. the one petsmart near me always has dead fish in the tanks and the employees are just out of high school and the other petsmart is worth dealing with the traffic congestion. theres a small lfs around the corner from me that doesn't have a good selection and every time I check it out the tank mates there covered in ick. the lfs I deal with 15 min away from my house how ever is truly amazing. clean tanks with healthy fish great selection of fish fresh or salt. great selection of plants and corals all different manufactures of supplies and accessories and great pricing far better than petco or petsmart and if you need something they don't have they are quick to order it. as will price match on the spot to make the sale. they have a point program unlike the surrounding stores by me and the customer service is outstanding. but to each their own guess im lucky to have a shop near me like that
 
In Denmark Theres this petstore chain called "Poppi" i only have expirience with one of them, but that one is ok. They can special order in, and there fish quality seems ok. I once saw a tank, with almost all the fish dead, when i asked them why they responded that it was a bad shipment. They have some exotic fish, like Retic stingrays, discus and probaly other fish im forgetting. I've never really asked the staff about much, but they seem fine.
 
I live in Vegas, out petsmart never really change their stock here. We go to petco locally who sells three types of bichirs now, flowerhorns, and most recently we paid 79.99 for a 6" Jardini Arowana. Petco seems to change their stock every now and then. Weve also seen Silver Arowanas before small at 39.99. The other major reason we go to petco is because the huge bag of Hikari Gold Large pellets is only 9.99 there.
 
Runitis said:
It all depends on the people who work there really! But actually petsmart is a really clean place and looks good. Except they stock the exact same stock constantly. Most employees though I've met don't know what they are talking about and teach whatever is displayed on the fish's description

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+2 This is exactly right. I think we like to stereotype either Big companies or LFS and this or that (myself included). But it really comes down to the quality of the people who work their and their knowledge of the aquarium hobby.
 
Loshmitchell101 said:
I live in Vegas, out petsmart never really change their stock here. We go to petco locally who sells three types of bichirs now, flowerhorns, and most recently we paid 79.99 for a 6" Jardini Arowana. Petco seems to change their stock every now and then. Weve also seen Silver Arowanas before small at 39.99. The other major reason we go to petco is because the huge bag of Hikari Gold Large pellets is only 9.99 there.
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Mitch, I live in Vegas as well. Are you talking about the Petco on Spring mountain and Rainbow? Because I have seen them bring in more stock similar to the LFS recently.
 
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