Aqua Star Aquariums

[mflamb]

As my 390 gets closer (that term is relative) to completion, I have been visiting local fish stores. Today I went to Aqua Star Aquariums on Bloomingdale in Brandon. ALL the fish seemed to be healthy and responsive. The gentleman that helped me at the store put small amounts of food in lots of the tanks and the fish fed readily. There were no signs of stress in the fish. The water looked good and their filtration system looked good. Obviously I was unable to conduct any water tests. The corals and inverts also looked good. There was a small amount of live rock for sale. The prices seemed a little on the high side, but for quality livestock, I cough up the $$$. This is my 7th store to visit so far and for quality of livestock, I rank it 2nd only to FAOIS. JMHO.
Mike

 

[ReefArtist]

Thanks for the information Mike - we like this kind of reporting . What did you purchase - if I my ask?

Carol

 

[mflamb]

I didn't buy anything. No water in the tank yet. Just a scouting trip. I have been making regular visits to local fish stores and taking notes on quality so when I have water, I'll know where to buy. I'll spend a few $$$ stocking the 390, and it bothers me to see fish die, so I want to find a store with consistant quality.
Mike

 

[doomicon]

Mike, can you rate the top stores you have visited? Only the positive ones, as any negatives about a place always seems to send a thread down in flames :-(

 

[Don Lino]

Mike, can you give me the address??

 

[mflamb]

Don Lino...873 West Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon 33511.

dooomicon...Top 2...FAOIS and Aqua Star.
#3 would be Rockin Reef.
Next would be the store on 60 in Brandon.
Next 2, I found a dead fish in each of these...Nolans and Marine Warehouse.
The jury is still out on Life Oceanic. Two dead fish there. I'll visit them some more and let you know ehat I think.

Before anyone blows a gasket...THIS IS MY OPINION...Opinions are like @$$holes, everybody has one.

 

[ReefArtist]

No Mike I hope not also, this could be very positive for everyone involved. LFS would see this and maybe take better care - the livestock could in the end be the winner here. There are LFS that I will not purchase livestock at all - to many dead fish and corals that just do not look good. I might purchase dry goods from them - only because the ones I do frequent might not carry the item. There are some I will not walk into for any reason - dirty, dead fish etc. You see some nasty places when you purchase freshwater fish.

Yes Mike you do have your opinions and so do I, but I respect your opinion and your advice - I guess that comes with the years of experience you have.

 

[Don Lino]

Thanks Mike, I'll check them out 2morrow..

 

[doomicon]

Thanks Mike, gotta try to make my way over to Brandon now Gonna swing by FAOIS tomorrow during lunch, haven't been there in a few weeks. It's semiclose to my work.

 

[HotReeferSRT4]

The stores in Brandon get most of their livestock from segrest. If LFS go the fish farm route, segrest has to be the way to go. I have heard they are a little expensive but that is what you get when you want quality.

 

[ReefArtist]

Yeah - me I'd rather pay up front then later - JMO.