I told my LFS about EI

[Paul]

And they didnt beleive me!!! and its one of the 'best' shops in the country....
They laughed at me when I said that nitrates and phosphates dont cause algae
Enjoyed giving them a copy of the EI report, will see what they say next time I| go there....

 

[chubasco]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

Better yet, Paul, show them a picture of your tank. That's the best testimonial
of all.

Bill

 

[travdawg]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

I had a woman at LFS insist to me that 50/50 bulbs were the best things for my tank, & Co2 was worthless. I guess unless you really get out & look for it, there just isnt alot of knowledge in regards to the hobby... Even those that are in it pay little attention to it. I would imagine that my LFS owner knows VERY little about planted aquaria, but has alot of knowledge in regards to salt tanks. Thats where all his money comes from.

 

[Greg Watson]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

I guess unless you really get out & look for it, there just isnt alot of knowledge in regards to the hobby... Even those that are in it pay little attention to it.

I worked for years for the Iowa House of Representatives on their Research Staff ... I used to write a weekly column titled

"What We Know That Isn't So" ...​

I often used the column to debunk "rules of thumb" and what people thought were "factual assumptions" ...

I often stepped on all kinds of toes because I would debunk myths of "Those In The Know" ...

Even in a wide variety of online planted aquarium communities, we have a lot of "What We Know That Isn't So" ...

You can't blame many of the people, because most people are honestly working from the best information that they have available to them ...

It was only a decade ago that most of us were working from the assumption that limiting phosphate was an effective method of limiting algae ... it was the best information most of us had at the time ...

As our knowledge increased, "factual assumptions" change as we learn more ...

This is actually what the Barr Report is all about ... an environment dedicated to providing a more in depth analysis and discussion of the science and theory underlying our hobby ...

So to each of you ... I say THANKS ... because the knowledge that you glean here and the increased understanding that we all develop together as we read and learn from Mr. Barr ... together, we will contribute to spreading the next generation of "public knowledge" ... because you are the future of what the "public" will know ...

Greg

 

[DavidR]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

I guess I'm kind of lucky. When I bring in nice plants after a trim for trade, the plants made such a statement. The owner of a LFS, as well as a couple employees would just be in awe, and take a few before they even hit the tanks in the store. But they had no idea how to grow plants. They knew about light, but that was it. They cater mostly to saltwater, but they recently expanded their fw, and want to get into plants, I think in part because of the plants I brought them. I think I got them a little excited about it.

One night I was in trading some plants and the owner and I began talking. He had just started a planted show tank and was asking me about what plants need. I told him about nutrients & their proper levels. He wrote it all down on the tank itself with a marker. I visit the store frequently, so I always see this tank's status over time. The info has now been erased, and the tank lacks nutrients. Then only reason this tank has little algae is because of the frequent water changes they do (it houses 6 discus). The store invested in lots of plants to sell, but they are all covered in hair algae. Arrrgh!

Plants always seem to take a backseat at the LFS. Why is this? I think keeping corals is so much more difficult, but to the LFS, plants are such a mystery. Everyone seems so afraid of algae, and those who aren't do not want to spend the necessary investment to keep healthy plants. But they sure will for a marine tank. I just don't understand. When did plants become separated from freshwater fish? I think plants go hand in hand with most fw fish, just as reefs do with most saltwater fish.

 

[Ian H]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

I use a small group of LFS for my fishy needs. In general they are up to speed on the fishkeeping side and in almost total ignorance of planted tank expertise. I would say that my findings are general in most parts of the world.

About 10 to 15 years ago I found a shop that specialised in Denerle systems. To walk into his shop and see the quality of the plants and the joy of pearling plants being seen for the first time was inspirational. That provoked my first foray into CO2 useage. It worked a treat for a while but eventually degraded due in the main to nutrient problems. I had worked out the correlation between CO2 and adequate lighting even then but not the micro-nutrient side. At that time there was very little information to hand to advise emergent plantaholics like me. So I lapsed. I'm getting up to speed now.

BTW the guy that owned the shop I think was one Bertie Gesting, but I could be totally wrong here.

Ian

 

[chubasco]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

BTW the guy that owned the shop I think was one Bertie Gesting, but I could be totally wrong here.

Ian

Umm, Ian, thanks, but TMI, I don't believe there's many here in the US that
have the fookinest idear who Bertie Gesting is....

Bill

 

[Ian H]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

How about Berti Gesting? Tom may know of him, he's written a few plant tomes.

Ian

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

Nope, I might, does he write for Practical Fishkeeping?
That guy has come to the AGA meeting a few times, coyote breath, sorry, but true. I can barrly stand it. I'll bring Tic Tacs next convention.
nice guy, but ugh.........

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Ian H]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

Yes Tom I think he does write for PF. Unfortunate personal problem though, maybe thats how he kept his tanks algae free.

Ian

 

[travdawg]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

If halitosis works for BBA, then goodbye toothbrush!!!!

Not like I have to worry about sex... I am married. I dont get any no matter how fresh my breath is!

 

[kingborris]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

all of my LFS are rubbish for plants and planty equipment. On asking for a CO2 diffuser at one shop... i was asked ' why do you want one of those?'. I replyed that i wanted it to diffuse CO2, so that i can grow plants well. the reply was simply 'most people just buy new ones every month or so'

 

[Ian H]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

I think that's fairly typical KB. The good thing now with forums like this and online shopping you can obtain most of your needs. 15 years ago it was another matter.

Ian

 

[Paul]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

This is the same shop where a guy told me that diy c02 was probably illegal as you are creating a poisonous gas....
and yes, they did sell them

 

[jippalbert]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

I had an experience about a month ago where I was asking about Co2 equipment for aquatic plants.


They guy said " what kind of plants are you growing" I told him aquatic plants and he said I should try the *hydropoinc shop* .

Many LFS are not familiar even though they might have planted tanks.

 

[fishface]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

They guy said " what kind of plants are you growing" I told him aquatic plants and he said I should try the *hydropoinc shop* .

and why not? i get tons of my supplies there...especially since they're everywhere around here there really is alot of crossover product you can find there... at much more reasonable prices in fact i'm headin' there right now!

 

[Paul]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

err what sort of shop is that? I am being thick?

 

[turbomkt]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

That would be a hydroponic shop - the science of growing terrestrial plants without soil. Suppliers of hydroponic growing supplies.

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

Yes, I know him.
Nice enough guy, in serious need of a tic tac.

I was much nicer than many folks about it.
My consituition is quite strong.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[chubasco]

Re: I told my LFS about EI

Yes, I know him.
Nice enough guy, in serious need of a tic tac.

I was much nicer than many folks about it.
My consituition is quite strong.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Maybe a tongue scraper and a bottle of mouthwash might yield better results.
You don't think he'd be offended, do you?

Bill