Not fit to own a gold fish

[handlemecarefully]

Recently on a whim I bought a gold fish starter kit for £9.99 (it consisted of a goldfish bowl, plastic plant, small book on keeping goldfish, a container of fish food, and water conditioner). I was told I couldn't buy the fish at the same time, but needed to fill the goldfish bowl with water and use the water conditioner, and then take a sample of the water back to the pet shop 48 hours later to be tested.

Well we went back to the pet shop on Saturday en famille, and the 4 of us waited with bated breath whilst the water was tested.

I knew it was bad news when the girl who had disappeared with my water came back mob handed flanked by a colleague. I think she was expecting trouble...

They were brandishing 4 colourful test tubes, and told me that they couldn't release a gold fish to my care because my water was high in nitrite and nitrates.

I have to add still more water conditioner and return in another couple of days with a fresh sample.

What am I doing wrong????

(No, sparkly it doesn't have an O2 filter as its only a 5 litre bowl but I have used oxygen releasing tablets)

Update: astoundingly Percy is still with us. He certainly looked on borrowed time on Thursday night, floating at the surface and on his side as if he had capsized...but by Friday morning he was perkier! I was completely amazed.

I suppose he was just a bit traumatised about it all. Must confess though I wish he would just get over it! - he spends all his time skulking behind his plastic plant. Perhaps he is missing his fishy buddies from the shop.

I wanted to buy another goldfish recently for Dd1 to put in the tank with the other two and the shop refused to sell me one as I didn't have a filter in the tank, but I do have a O2 filter, which I have noticed keeps the fish alive, have had one for 2 years and the other about1 year, but also keeps the tank clear and clean.

Bump from beyond the grave...

handlemecarefully: Does Percy continue to bathe in the glory of your tender care ?

FWIW, I wouldn't think the fish shop are checking the water to save them money on fish refunds. I would hope they are doing it because they are well aware that when a new fish gets put into unsuitable water it frequently gets upset and dies. Perhaps they know that the water local to them is sometimes 'problematic' or perhaps many purchasers failed to let the water acclimatise long enough etc. I'd much rather they took an interest and sold the fish only when they were sure the water was 'compatible with life.'

PS - Might you consider a real life green plant for Percy ? Some nice elodea ? The plastic is awfully post-modern...

misdee and sparkly: hope all your finned friends are in good health.

I've decided I'm going to check PAH's water before I buy from them again.

They checked mine before selling me a few guppy recently, which bloated then died.

So, I'm veeeery that my whole tank could have been killed off! Thankfully it wasn't.

Wonder how they'll react when I turn up with my testing kit?!

Do post how it goes, inspect Badger.

Inspector Badger.

I'll refuse to let anyone buy fish from them if anything comes up .
Cheeky $ods!