First time buyer from aquascape

[HarleyK]

From what I know this used to be a fairly decent store with excellent everything but now I'm not so sure.

I'm curious do any of the jersey guys experience this?
HarleyK

Well, since you asked: yes, Aquascape used to be fantastic. Top of the line fish and great, personal service from Pedro and Nicole.

I haven't been to his store since last year, when a bunch of catfish, that I bought there, brought fish lice home with them. Fortunately, I quarantine religiously. That was the straw that broke the camel's back, after having stood in front of locked doors several times...during posted business hours when they should've been open. Not worth my time, money for gas, and not money for fish, either.

I'm looking forward to it being a good store again some day. I got great fish from Pedro in the past, many of which are still in my tanks today.

 

[Brock11]

I just want to say I'm over it and just looking to get my fish healthy. I never asked for a refund but I did become frustrated and angry and shouldn't have put it out there for everyone to see. I started the tread by documenting my entire experience as a first time user. The fish did coming in with a gash and discolored tail. It them appeared to shed the dead tissue which is why you can see the tail losing its shape. My only concern now is to treat the fish the right way. I'm sorry but I'm not as experienced as many of you and I decided to follow one persons advice on the treatment plan. I'm just trying to learn and the bashing and complaining is over. I just wasn't sure how to treat it and that part is on me. If I would have received a perfectly healthy fish this thread would have stopped along time ago. Just because I'm a paranoid person and want to treat my fish in the best way I hope you don't mind if I ask again what else I can do? Maybe come up with a consensus plan to treat the fish if anyone of you would be so kind. I have been told turn up the heat, do large water changes daily, do small water changes daily, do one water change a week, use paraguard, use Melafix, use aquarium salt, do nothing and it will heal on its own, use tetracycline, keep the lights off, use air stones, etc. I feel that if someone could help me sort through all that information and give me a plan to stick to I could learn a lot. We don't need to be fighting with eachother over this, it's not worth anyone else getting angry. If this forum is to help eachother learn then I'm asking you to help me. If it's to put eachother down and fight over opinions then I'll just go it alone. I realize I had a bad attitude and was negative and out of line with some of the things I said. I'm past all that and would appreciate any knowledge about how to get this awsome fish healthy.
Thanks and sorry

 

[pops]

I would treat with polyguard as is a new fish and have no ideal what its issue is or any other issues it may have. follow the derictions.
http://www.seachem.com/polyguard.php

 

[davenmandy]

Truth be told, how the company chooses to run only hurts them. If they don't want to communicate, that's on them. If they're making a good living and have products that the customers want, maybe they don't care about their service, and why should they? If they have good prices and fish that other stores can't get, people will come. And if their service is enough to turn you off from buying from them, don't buy from them, but why do a lot of people feel the need to advise these guys how run their business? Is it your livelihood on the line? Maybe they're not in this to make millions and keep every customer they receive? And if they are, feedback is good, but beating a dead horse isn't necessary. Clearly if they cared they would have tried to rectify it a long time ago.

That being said, the fish health issues are not clear enough to blame the vendor at this point. We need more information from both sides. If I had to take a guess, this fish had stress related fin rot prior to shipping. I think shipping and more stress compounded it. On the surface, I don't believe this fish should have been shipped, and I feel like they know this because of the delay in shipping, but that's speculation because again maybe they just don't care.

One thing is for sure, they have absolutely no need to reply to this thread, this is only between the OP and the vendor, so any explanation owed if any is to the OP. I feel like there is more to this story, regardless I doubt I would ever order from them from what I heard, but never know.

 

[MHcblues119]

I have heard some bad things in regards to customer service. Which I do agree. Even in store they're customer service lacks. Most of the employees are not very knowledgeable in the hobby. When Pedro is there he rarely gets involved with helping customers. He's usually only there to ship out fish, he's a good guy tho. Think he's got a lot of his plate lately. I think most of his recent troubles arised from most of his staff leaving and George at shark closing his business. George helped Pedro bring in a lot of fish. They would split shipping and importing charges.

I will continue to shop in store because they do indeed have som of the best stock in nj

 

[Brock11]

Truth be told, how the company chooses to run only hurts them. If they don't want to communicate, that's on them. If they're making a good living and have products that the customers want, maybe they don't care about their service, and why should they? If they have good prices and fish that other stores can't get, people will come. And if their service is enough to turn you off from buying from them, don't buy from them, but why do a lot of people feel the need to advise these guys how run their business? Is it your livelihood on the line? Maybe they're not in this to make millions and keep every customer they receive? And if they are, feedback is good, but beating a dead horse isn't necessary. Clearly if they cared they would have tried to rectify it a long time ago.

That being said, the fish health issues are not clear enough to blame the vendor at this point. We need more information from both sides. If I had to take a guess, this fish had stress related fin rot prior to shipping. I think shipping and more stress compounded it. On the surface, I don't believe this fish should have been shipped, and I feel like they know this because of the delay in shipping, but that's speculation because again maybe they just don't care.

One thing is for sure, they have absolutely no need to reply to this thread, this is only between the OP and the vendor, so any explanation owed if any is to the OP. I feel like there is more to this story, regardless I doubt I would ever order from them from what I heard, but never know.

If you are wondering about anything feel free to ask. I'll tell you anything

 

[Red Aimara]

Just wondering if it is a practice at your country to ask (and receive) a short video clip of the exact fish prior to shipment.

 

[Brock11]

Just wondering if it is a practice at your country to ask (and receive) a short video clip of the exact fish prior to shipment.

Nope

 

[Brock11]

Well, since you asked: yes, Aquascape used to be fantastic. Top of the line fish and great, personal service from Pedro and Nicole.

I haven't been to his store since last year, when a bunch of catfish, that I bought there, brought fish lice home with them. Fortunately, I quarantine religiously. That was the straw that broke the camel's back, after having stood in front of locked doors several times...during posted business hours when they should've been open. Not worth my time, money for gas, and not money for fish, either.

I'm looking forward to it being a good store again some day. I got great fish from Pedro in the past, many of which are still in my tanks today.

How would you treat the fish exactly? Thanks

 

[Brock11]

I'm making perfect sense. He has a sick fish, he complains about sick fish, treats sick fish by not fallowing directions correctly, then complains that said fish isn't doing better. If it's getting sicker in his tank he's obviously not doing something right.

What should I do?