Hot Take? Should new reefers be 'formally educated' before buying livestock?

[ChrisfromBrick]

It certainly helps to have a background in one of the life sciences. I also think that if you appreciate nature and what it takes to grow gorgeous trees and flowers, and the basic chemistry and biology behind that, you will be successful with a reef tank.

You don't need anything more than a high school diploma in my opinion, to get into reefing. You need to put in the reading though on sites like this.

 

[deome]

No. Stop thinking up arbitrary rules in order to control others. I won't buy from or deal with anyone who does, and I doubt there are many LFSs that support saying "no" to buyers if they don't have the proper education.

***, I'm a finance guy, and there are plenty of people in finance/accounting who believe and say that consumers should be able to read a balance statement and income statement before they're allowed to buy stock in a company (same principle as this thread--"education" required to participate). Imagine having to have a finance degree before you're allowed to have a 401k.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

It would not be practical to require education in this hobby. Education is required, however. Every single person here that asks questions and gleans information is educated in the hobby, no matter their background and by that measure, deserves to keep aquarium fish and coral.

I do think it would be wise to have coral sellers or small companies get some type of certification before doing being able to blindly sell livestock.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

No. Stop thinking up arbitrary rules in order to control others. I won't buy from or deal with anyone who does, and I doubt there are many LFSs that support saying "no" to buyers if they don't have the proper education.

***, I'm a finance guy, and there are plenty of people in finance/accounting who believe and say that consumers should be able to read a balance statement and income statement before they're allowed to buy stock in a company (same principle as this thread--"education" required to participate). Imagine having to have a finance degree before you're allowed to have a 401k.

That isn't the best analogy as we are talking about livestock, not money. Additionally, the funds in 401k's are mostly managed by giant companies like Vanguard, as you know. Take your average target date fund, for example. The risk is managed FOR you. Or, index funds/etf's. That's what people carry in their 401k's. As a stock investor myself, I have the same strategy about money as I do about reefing- learn what you are buying before you buy it, how it works, and what the risk is.
That's why I always tell people to buy index funds, lol instead of that shiny single stock that people are probably going to panic sell when the market takes a dive, or they have a bad quarter.

 

[Chikpeas]

NOW if you were to say, should people be regulated or licensed in order to obtain WILD CAUGHT fish and coral? Yes. 10 thousand times yes. Quit ruining our oceans because you’re too lazy to find out the size tank and compatibility these things need.

However

I just technically started in June.
It’s now end of August and I got my second tank- 90 gallon up and running with livestock. My first was a 7 gallon AIO nano with no skimmer, no filter, just a return pump heater, and light… arguably probably one of the most challenging things you can do. it’s thriving.

So, obviously I voted no.

You need to learn How and What to research to be successful. You need dedication to maintaining clean Saltwater and things will thrive. I’m not keeping fish- I’m keeping water. In fact outside of salinity I don’t even test it anymore.

unfortunately you’re going to have dumb people in every hobby who don’t care to look things up. Hence goldfish in goldfish bowls.

 

[rtparty]

It is up to you as a human being to be responsible and research things you do. The buck shouldn't fall on someone else to hold your hand making decisions

 

[dakoop]

Need to make sure lfs employees are PROPERLY educated before they sell anything

 

[_aka_olive_]

I think people who work and sell livestock need to be formally trained and do regular trainings and ask questions before making a sale, or denying a sale.
The customer might not know that a tang can’t live in a 20gal tank yet the sales person sells it to them anyways.

 

[TBSB2019]

I have talked to many people that worked at pet stores about stuff that get deer in headlights look when you ask them certain questions but on the flip side I have learned a lot from others. I think it SHOULD be up the person doing the care for the critters to know. That is not even close to always the case. I had an ex that got a St Bernard puppy without a clue to the size the pup would get. When it hit 102 lbs she gave it away to the first person that came along for it. Really burnt me up.

 

[MONTANTK]

I think it should be more common for someone to be denied a sale if they’re routinely coming in for the same fish/coral. It would be hard to require education but the care for each animal should be brought up before bagging

 

[Reefering1]

I just technically started in June

No fish for you.

 

[i cant think]

Reef keeping is not for the faint of heart, and some of us get in way over our heads and may not realize it until we have livestock in distress or dying. There is no doubt that new reefers should always do basic research on starting a tank and maintaining the health of the animals we keep, but is that enough? Let's talk about it...

Primary Question:

Should new reefers be 'formally educated' (classes, certifications, etc.) before buying livestock?

Secondary Questions:

• What are some logistical and practical barriers to this?
• Do you think this would hinder new people from joining the hobby?
• Do you think this would aid in protecting and maintaining ethics in animal care?
• Can you think of some positive and negative outcomes of requiring a formal education before buying livestock?

This is a question out of pure curiosity. Please remember our Terms of Service when agreeing to disagree.

I’m very much on the ‘other’ side. It depends on where they get it from, the reason for this is if it’s online then it’s completely the buyer’s responsibility to know the care, size and behaviour of the fish/coral/invert.

On the other hand, if it’s in person there’s some responsibility on the buyer to know what they’re looking at but overall care should be known by the LFS worker for any last minute questions. The LFS worker also shouldn’t really be just giving bad advice overall.

 

[lbacha]

It’s a fine idea but you should start with “Should LFS employees be formally educated” they are one of the leading causes of misinformation for new reefers and many issues would be solved if they gave better advice

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Great question, but it’s too late for an improvement like education and training before you make your first purchase. This industry is huge. Hiring educators and paying those salaries, medical insurance, retirement etc would result in Yellow Tangs @ $800 a piece. LFS employees do their best. But most of us (honestly) know more than they do and we’re constantly learning year after year. A professor Julian Sprung among others would definitely do the trick. But that’s not going to happen.

 

[collinnelson9]

I watched the 5 minute beginner guide from BRS and that’s honestly all that needs to be watched when you start the hobby and as you progress you branch out and watch more topics on how to dose alk mag calc, then progress to trace elements then so on this hobby should be taken in steps because if you research everything by the time u get your tank cycled you’re going to forget the basics.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Need to make sure lfs employees are PROPERLY educated before they sell anything

I agree that someone working at a LFS should know what they are talking about before trying to sell you something.

 

[JulesH]

I suspect most of us in this hobby are pretty careful with our purchases. Mandating anything here in the UK would probably sound the death knell for this hobby.

 

[Reefer Matt]

This kinda goes along with those that want a vetting system for people to give advice on here. It all boils down to who is the authority on the reef aquarium hobby that everyone will agree on?

 

[dakoop]

This kinda goes along with those that want a vetting system for people to give advice on here. It all boils down to who is the authority on the reef aquarium hobby that everyone will agree on?

Not all advice is good advice...

 

[lil sumpin]

I had to go through a whole process to adopt the goon that is my cat. They asked for personal references, asked to see pics of my apartment and that I had all that was necessary for him. Meanwhile my neighbors a couple doors down have two huge huskies. I know they live in pretty similar sized apartment as me and it's always made me wonder how they managed to pull that off and more so how they're okay with having two huge dogs in their NYC apartment..?