Let's start with 3 facts:\r
1. Behind the counter, a sign reads ""Tanks be medicated"".\r
2. In my experience to Todd's, roughly 1/3 of tanks will have dead livestocks.\r
3. After using Todd's RO for approximately 30 days of water top-offs, 2 of my fish (including a stunning Coral Beauty) died this morning following a 5 gallon (out of 65 total) saltwater change out.\r
3a. All fish have inhabited this tank for 6+ months, eat, swim, and interact without signs or symptoms of disease, fungal infection, or other tank born illness. \r
3b. The pH of this tank was 8.1 (slightly low, but not threatening) After finding the dead fish, a sample of water was taken to Keys' Island (highly recommend!) where the pH was revealed to be 7.8.\r
3c. The ammonia, nitrate, and nitrate levels all tested at approximately 0ppm prior to use of saltwater purchased at Todd's. Testing afterwards revealed a nitrate level of 50ppm.\r
3d. All micro nutrient, calcium, and alkalinity levels tested within normal., healthy ranges as well.\r
3e. Salinity maintained at a stable level of 1.024\r
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This leads me to my hypothesis: Todd's is using inferior water filtration methods, chemically synthesizing R/O, or if they are using a proper system-- have not maintained the filtration system properly, leading to contamination. \r
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One fish's sudden death I can understand. Two? Two immediately following a water change out from Todd's? That I cannot abide. \r
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Todd's response to this pathetic-- to say the least. No, as a matter of fact, fish should not be medicated regardless of whether a disease is suspected. (This lowers their natural immune system.) And yes, as a seller of living creatures pulled pulled from a threatened ecosystem, you should be held accountable.\r
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Putting off the incident as, ""Well-- it couldn't have been us-- otherwise the whole tank would have died!"" is not ever an acceptable answer. Yes, my whole tank may have very well died if I hadn't taken immediate action, but that doesn't mitigate their accountability in the matter.\r
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In case you haven't gathered so far, I love my tank. My water is tested weekly. Change-outs are regularly preformed. It's an 18 month old fixture brimming with corals, fish, and the tank is so healthy that the sugar starfish who came in on a piece of liverock have flourished.\r
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I pride myself in care of beautiful sea creatures because hey--- they may not be around that much longer. That being said, I will not be returning to Todd's Tropical Fish to purchase contaminated water or sick livestock: their apparent specialities. \r
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Recommendation: DO NOT BUY LIVESTOCK, SALTWATER, or R/O FROM TODD'S. TROPICAL FISH.
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