What to do.

[DrOizo]

I just went to my LFS to buy 3 glowlights and a Loach and while there I heard the girl teeling some people that it would be OK to set up a tank today with Chlorinated water! and put the fish in it the next day!! She told them the chlorine would have gone by then (which is partly true but not all of the chlorine would have gone), at no pount did she mention cycling etc. Now my dilema was should I have said anything, I didn't as my brother stopped me but I just was interested in what other people may have done in the same situation. Thanks guys

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I woud have said something, but in a nice way. Not to not offend the person, you understand but so that the person would have been more likeyl to listen to you.

Fish in that are not going to be happy.

Maybe others would be different, but I am quite bad at times as I really think people should be told if they've got the wrong information. Otherwise bad information is just going to get passed from person to person and lots of fish are going to be unhappy and unhealthy as a result.

 

[guppymonkey]

I would have told them that the girl wasn't telling them the truth. Easiest way to tell them would be to say that they need a water conditioner because of the chlorine in tap water. Putting fish in without the dechlorinator would kill the fish and waste the people's money! Most people appreciate it when more informed people save them from wasting their money. They only get irritated when people try to shove information (and products) down their throats!

 

[missyintx_99]

I would and have stepped in and tried very politely to correct the mis-information.
I've done it before at Petsmart. I've found that most people appreciate getting information from someone who sounds like they know what they're talking about.

 

[phoenix]

I would have said something. I have before and would again.

 

[Griffith420]

i had nothing to do but to put my fish into chlorinated water when i had a new tank as it was an emergency, although i kept as much good water as possible so it shouldnt be that bad.

 

[Waterloo Kid]

So long as the tank had a filter that aggitated the water enough the chlorine should have dissipated in 24 hrs. Chlorine in tap water is pretty unstable and so long as the water is turned over enough the chlorine would escape to the atmosphere pretty quickly. I know of a few people who condition their water in this way for water changes with no ill effects. This would not however remove the heavy metals in the water, never mind cycling the tank! If the local water supply has chloramines in it no amount of time would remove them and the fish would indead get poisoned.

WK

 

[White Whale]

I haven't seen this particular situation happen, but if given the chance I would politely interject when I know it's something basic. I'd start off by saying "Excuse me, but..." and then advise them that all water is not the same and such. Different chlorine levels, possible metal content, lead content, differences in pH, etc... And that it's better safe than sorry by testing your water as is straight from tap and then using the appropriate water conditioners.

 

[tpl7370]

My fiancé is always mad at me for stepping in and saying something, but my view is that I am preventing harm to the fish and needless money spent by new hobbiest.

The removal of chlorine can be sped up by pumping air into the water.

Philip

 

[sinistral]

I probably would have waited until the salesperson was gone so's not to embarrass her, then talk to the customers and find out what they know and what they don't, and then do a little education based on that.

Then I would have a little chat with the salesperson...