I visited a fish shop out of my area recently, the reason was they had the fish I was searching for.
I have never been there before and I found them to be very friendly and helpful, I also noticed they had a certain amount of regular customers that they had a bit of banter with, they seemed very genuine people.
I asked if they supplied mature filter media for new tank set ups, the reason I stated was the amount of posts we read on these forums where people set up a tank and introduce fish before it is cycled, a lot of newcomers don't know about the cycle process and either lose fish or give up the hobby.
I read out of every 3 new people to the hobby only 1 carries on and the other 2 give it up and it is mainlt because they lose fish or can't wait for the cycle process.
So I was very pleased wit the reply I got from the shop, they said it was also their concern for fish welfare and anyone who comes in the shop to buy a tank,filter, heater etc, they ask if it is their first time, and if so they put them on the right track and give them some mature media to get the filter established.
They would rather see that customer satisfied and come back rather than lose them, as a lot of you know not all fish shops supply mature media, I know about the quick start chemicals you can buy, some have had success others haven't by using them, I have had success trying one from the USA recently as an experiment , may be I was lucky with that but if it failed I do have other tanks fully matured that I can take media from so I wasn't too worried on that score.
I feel I can name the shop seeing as it isn't saying anything bad about them.
Fishcove, Unit 17, Clarendon Court, Winwick Quay, Warrington, WA2 8QP Tele 01925 423652
They are due to move to a new shop very soon so their new address will be:
30 Norris Street, Orford, Warrington WA2 7RL