If Only Lfs Sold Mature Media

[pippoodle]

you could always go and ask your lfs if they would like you to put your name down
i have my name down at 2 local fish shops and have given away filter media (swapped for new sponge) via them 6 times

 

[Amunet]

Would be a great idea I think. As Honeythorn said, have the posters around it explaining it all, and have fliers people could take home as well w/ instructions and such.
Have several different kinds of filters running in one tank, so if someone wants a certain kind then they can get it for their filter.

 

[Honeythorn]

Even if all stores sold and advertised mature media, how many just starting out would know to buy it.

Well many just starting out who come in to buy a few fish often say they have just set up their tank, and if not a large number of fish stores now ask how long the tank has been set up ect. If the customer say's " oh I set it up last week/yesterday" then the person selling can advise about adding mature media, show the customer how a properly set up tank should look, and give a short but to the point breif on why they need the mature sponge/floss ect.

Since many stores still advise to do what are basically fish in cycles and are unlikely to change in the short term, they could still sell a piece of mature media along with just a couple of hardy fish to help mature it further before more can be slowly added.

A pamphlet with strict instruction about weekly water changes , why they need to be done during cycling, and why they need to be done thereon afterwards, should be given at the time of selling the media and fish, and a liquid test kit offered. Or at least the offer to test their water weekly for a small fee ( or free if that's how the shop has always done it ) to make sure their cycle is progressing correctly and further advice can be given if readings are abnormal in any way.

 

[modaz]

we give mature media to anyone that asks for it. It dont cost us anything and we only throw it way when it needs changing so we just give it away. We've always done it as standard with every new tank that we sell as well. It comes in handy for those people who change all their filter media at once without knowing that what they are doing is wrong, we get about 10 a week that do this.

 

[lincsflier]

Same Here modaz we give it away free. We have and will refuse to sell to someone if there tank is not ready for fish but this just means they won't get fish from us they just go to another shop and get some there as they don't want a tank of water sitting while it cycles as it looks boring . At which point we tell them that it looks better than a tank of dead fish.

Also do full water test if requested as well but even after all this we have even had customers going to another member of staff who doesn't know the situation and ask them for fish knowing full well that the fish will probably die etc. and that the tank is not ready.