Birmingham to Gadsden..stores? Hobbyists? And intro..

[BamaGirl]

First off, hi. I'm new, sort of. I am not actually new to RC but this name and account is new, as I am soon to be making a move out of a bad situation and need a bit of privacy til it's over with. *whew* Now that that's outta the way...

I'm going to be moving there from another state. I have a great club near me and a few really awesome stores. The kind that the owner goes out of his way to help and guide you in the right direction. I probably won't find such a large following in the Birmingham area, judging from the activity on this forum, but that's okay. Quality matters more than quantity, right??

So where are there some reputable stores? I will likely be living somewhere between Birmingham and Gadsden. I am not at all familiar with the area.

Also, are there ever club meetings up that way? Meeting some people who share my addiction might help my transition to a new place!

Thank you, all. And thanks for understanding my temporary anonymity!

 

[BamaGirl]

Also, any reputable tank maintenance people? I may go with a very large display tank if I have help maintaining it.

 

[JR's Reef]

Welcome! Not many stores in the area anymore there is one in Gad (Langs) but they have very little SW but do offer maintenance and is very good at it from what Ive heard. There are a couple a stores in Bham but Ive not been to them in yrs so Ill let others comment on them.

 

[gflat65]

I've not visited any in Bmingham, but I know there are lots of reefers selling frags, etc. in that general area (Huntsville down to Birmingham). I'd think you might be able to find some help with maintenace from someone in the area. I'm not sure who all does maint in that area, though. I could help with some references if in the Montgomery area, but we're an hour+ south...

 

[BamaGirl]

Thank you to both of you!

 

[Bryzoan]

Check your PM.
Thanks

 

[BamaGirl]

I need a few more posts before I can respond to your PM.

 

[RUGDOG]

Welcome! I usually have a few frags in the Pell City area and my mother-in-law lives in gadsden so I travel through b`ham, Gadsden etc. on a regular basis. There are a couple of shops in the Hoover and Homewood areas of B`ham. Nothing to write home about but they are fine. If you do not mind traveling there are some very good swaps around the southeast.

 

[BamaGirl]

How far is the nearest GOOD store? Montgomery? Huntsville??

 

[RUGDOG]

<----whispers in hope nobody else can hear ATLANTA

 

[stancfii]

Aquarium fantasies in Homewood (birmingham) is your best bet. I just recently moved back to bham to, and they are the most impressive thing in the area I've seen. They are tied to a much larger store in Montgomery, and can get about anything you need. No one else in bhm is going to have as much sps as they have. I'm in the process of rebuilding my 58 after moving, and just finished my LED fixture. I'll need to restock soon, so I'd be interested in going in on an online order with you. There's not much of a club environment, but I'd like to change that and put one together that meets monthly. I know how the moving thing goes, so if you would like some advice on that, let me know.

 

[BamaGirl]

Thanks, guys. Are there any good freshwater stores??

 

[jfb3]

Slim pickings in the area for a brick and mortar store. Went to Rugdogs and saw his setup. Worth a look, but don't pick get the stuff i've got my eye on

 

[BamaGirl]

Good enough. Thank you all for the responses!

 

[Crimson Reefer]

Langs is good for the small town - the staff is very helpful. Aquarium Imports in Hoover is a decent LFS as well. Marine Fish in Marietta (atlanta) is only an hour and a half away.

I love a good group in the area but dont have the time to form one.

 

[forddna]

Thanks, guys! (this is my regular screen name)