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Thrawn

Well-known member
Joined
May 29, 2011
Messages
128
Location
Puyallup, WA
Hey guys. I just figured I'd post here to say hello and tell you a little bit about myself. I work at the Petco in Puyallup as the aquatics manager. I was originally hired to help out in the reptiles but somehow ended up being promoted to aquatics manager despite having no experience with saltwater(a fair amount of freshwater experience). In the few months that I have held this position I've been absorbing every bit of saltwater knowledge I can get my hands on. And that is what brings me to RF. I've gotten to the point that I can comfortably help the great majority of my saltwater customers(although a guy did get pretty frustrated with me this week when I couldn't tell him the exact dimensions of a 300 gallon tank...), but I still have a lot to learn. A customer referred me to these forums as a great learning tool so here I am. I look forward to learning from you guys.

- Thrawn
 
Your at the right place.... might catch some flak from people on here about working in Petco Saltwater Aquatics.... Some of us have seen some really bad situations for the fish. Otherwise Welcome Aboard!!!
 
I'm definitely expecting to get some crap for it, but I'm prepared. That's why I'm here, to learn how to better myself at my job and my new hobby. I agree that our fish setups are not always ideal, especially when I, or the one other person working there who works in the department, are not there, but I try to make the best of it. If anybody has had an issue in the past, I honestly would love to hear about it because it will help me learn how to prevent it in the future.
 
Thrawn...I live in Puyallup. Let meknow when you are working and I would love to come help you out and give you some pointers. I agree that Petco as a rule has very little to no business carrying saltwater because they don't give the animals the attention they deserve, but I would love to help you turn that around in your branch.

Issues I have seen at petco in the past were infected fish being in the same closed system as the other fish leading to their infection and poor nutrition. It is completely possible to maintain healthy stock, but it will take you educating yourself and in turn educating your employees. I have a good book you can borrow if you'd like to get you started. Just PM me your availability.
 
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Kudos to you Thrawn. It nice to hear that you really care to learn more. You will find all the help you need here, I'm sure.
And welcome!
 
Thanks for your willingness to help, Akunochi!

"Issues I have seen at petco in the past were infected fish being in the same closed system as the other fish leading to their infection and poor nutrition."

Infected fish is definitely an issue. I don't have access to any more tanks than what you see on display. Right now I have plugs to quarantine a tank off from the rest of the system but that also cuts off all filtration and circulation. I'm trying to find an internal filter that I can order to use for a hospital tank. As far as nutrition, the foods I currently have access to are frozen brine shrimp, flake food, krill, and freeze dried seaweed. Do you have any suggestions for foods I should add to that?

And thanks for the welcome IPisces =)
 
Welcome to RF!!! :welcome:. You came to the right place and I'm sure you'll find all the info you need here. Don't worry about catching hell from the members here because you work at Petco. RF is a great community of good members so you can relax. Members here actually love to help one another. Those who want to play the fool...Well they won't get too far :)


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Thrawn, your initiative is impressive! Welcome to Reef Frontiers! You're stuck in a mold, created by Petco corporate design, but you can still work, within that mold, to learn to provide the best possible care for the animals in your tanks. Glad to hear that you're willing to do so. This will enable you to keep healthier livestock and provide better customer service! Read lots, here on RF, especially the "stickies," in each category. I'd especially point you towards reading all of the stickies that Lee has provided, in our Marine Fish Discussion forum.
 
Welcome Thrawn!
I'm impressed that you are here looking to improve your department.
There are some sharp people on this site, I'm sure they can help you work through the best way to make the most out of your tough situation.

-Todd
 
I just spent about an hour going through your photo blog. I'm definitely jealous! Mind if I ask what you do for a living there?


Haha! Yea, it has it's perks here!! :). As for work, I am the general/installation manager for a company called Audio Concepts. If you are into sound and security then you've probably heard of Directed Electronics which has viper, clifford, avital, orion, precision power, Polk audio, ads etc all under them. Well we are the only authorized dealers for them in the Bahamas as well as we carry a bunch of other stuff as well. I've been hard at it for about 13 years now. :)


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Hey sorry I didn't make it ast night I was tied up with some legal issues involving my family and such. I'll get in touch with you soon and make sure I follow through with coming by!
 

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