Getting to know Tucson reefers
- Thread starter aquaph8
- Start date
fishnfanatic
New member
I didn't have to work on Saturday so I took the opportunity to visit all of the Fish/Pet stores that I could. As I was coming from the northwest side, I hit the following stores.
1. Petco on Oracle
2. Oasis Tropical Fish
3. Tropical Kingdom
4. Arizona Nature Aquatics
5. Simply Elegant
6. GQ
7. Fishy Bizness
I really wanted to get a good handle who could help me set up my new tank.
The Petco on Oracle was nice. Although they didn't have anyone working on Saturday that could answer any questions about salt water fish. The fish looked okay, but not great.
Oasis was terrible. It smelled in there and I walked in and out. I wasn't sure if it was a fish store or a science fiction store. ha ha.
Tropical Kingdom had some cool fish, but it also smelled really bad. It's more of a pet store, selling everything. Not a specialty salt water fish store.
Arizona Nature Aquatics was awesome. It was so clean and there was no odors what so ever. I didn't know you could have such nice planted aquariums. Unfortunately, they didn't carry salt water fish or I would shop there!
Simply Elegant was better than the first time I was there, a little cleaner, but something was just way wrong and it was not a comfortable place to shop. There were a few dead or sick looking fish in there tanks. We were there for about 10 minutes and no one even bothered to ask us if we needed any help.
GQ was nice but very expensive! Very clean! No smells what so ever. They had a few nice corals but they were someone else's that were being housed or something. There were not any customers in the store but the person working was very nice.
Fishy Bizness was really cool! Unfortunately, I only had 10 minutes to spend there before I had to meet my girlfriend for a movie. I WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK! I know the place is new, and that could be the reason, but there were no smells what so ever and the place was clean! They also had a ton of fish and corals. Even though there were other customers in the store, I was greeted by three different people including the owners. They all showed me around and took to me into the back to see how their acclimation and hospital tanks. I hope to go back after work this week.
1. Petco on Oracle
2. Oasis Tropical Fish
3. Tropical Kingdom
4. Arizona Nature Aquatics
5. Simply Elegant
6. GQ
7. Fishy Bizness
I really wanted to get a good handle who could help me set up my new tank.
The Petco on Oracle was nice. Although they didn't have anyone working on Saturday that could answer any questions about salt water fish. The fish looked okay, but not great.
Oasis was terrible. It smelled in there and I walked in and out. I wasn't sure if it was a fish store or a science fiction store. ha ha.
Tropical Kingdom had some cool fish, but it also smelled really bad. It's more of a pet store, selling everything. Not a specialty salt water fish store.
Arizona Nature Aquatics was awesome. It was so clean and there was no odors what so ever. I didn't know you could have such nice planted aquariums. Unfortunately, they didn't carry salt water fish or I would shop there!
Simply Elegant was better than the first time I was there, a little cleaner, but something was just way wrong and it was not a comfortable place to shop. There were a few dead or sick looking fish in there tanks. We were there for about 10 minutes and no one even bothered to ask us if we needed any help.
GQ was nice but very expensive! Very clean! No smells what so ever. They had a few nice corals but they were someone else's that were being housed or something. There were not any customers in the store but the person working was very nice.
Fishy Bizness was really cool! Unfortunately, I only had 10 minutes to spend there before I had to meet my girlfriend for a movie. I WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK! I know the place is new, and that could be the reason, but there were no smells what so ever and the place was clean! They also had a ton of fish and corals. Even though there were other customers in the store, I was greeted by three different people including the owners. They all showed me around and took to me into the back to see how their acclimation and hospital tanks. I hope to go back after work this week.
Just to comment on the stores in town as well.. as a follow up to fishnfanatic's post. I spent the past two weekends running through the salt places as well, just my two cents..
I wouldn't consider petco a true saltwater store.. for starters.. lol. so no comment needed.
GQ
* Nice store, can be little more expensive, but a gorgeous store, but a lot of the times they are willing to work with you on pricing if you buy more than just one livestock or coral piece, good customer service.. also recommended.
Fishy Bizness
* Clean place, reasonable price, great customer service, I would recommend this place.
SEA (simply elegant aquatics)
* Live stock is hit or miss, unfortunately customer service is hit or miss, I do go back quite often for their sales, but I just can't see myself making this my home base store, worth following for sales though.
Oasis Tropical Fish
* I was there multiple times in the past couple of weeks, not sure where this smell business comes from, lol. This place smells no different than SEA, GQ or fishy business. But hey, to each their own. The only place in town that I know that sells Cyclop Eeze (last time I checked), probably has the best selection of frozen food items after the new place Fishy Bizness, best black Friday sales in Tucson, but they will special order stock like most places and has a decent selection of coral like the others. Good customer service. This place for whatever reason gets a lot of hate, check it out yourself before you judge.. sheesh
Tropical Kingdom
* Now this place smells.. their tanks look hideous, and from fishnfanatic's post has cool fish?! ... a lot of dead fish in their inventory, a lot of green tanks in their inventory, very poorly managed tanks... and smells like multiple dead animals are packed away in corners in that store. I would recommend wearing a N95 mask and respirator if you want to go to visit that store. Go check it out for yourself, you will see what we mean by it. Customer service is hit and miss to, for the most part, terrible service.
Cheers. :thumbsup:
I wouldn't consider petco a true saltwater store.. for starters.. lol. so no comment needed.
GQ
* Nice store, can be little more expensive, but a gorgeous store, but a lot of the times they are willing to work with you on pricing if you buy more than just one livestock or coral piece, good customer service.. also recommended.
Fishy Bizness
* Clean place, reasonable price, great customer service, I would recommend this place.
SEA (simply elegant aquatics)
* Live stock is hit or miss, unfortunately customer service is hit or miss, I do go back quite often for their sales, but I just can't see myself making this my home base store, worth following for sales though.
Oasis Tropical Fish
* I was there multiple times in the past couple of weeks, not sure where this smell business comes from, lol. This place smells no different than SEA, GQ or fishy business. But hey, to each their own. The only place in town that I know that sells Cyclop Eeze (last time I checked), probably has the best selection of frozen food items after the new place Fishy Bizness, best black Friday sales in Tucson, but they will special order stock like most places and has a decent selection of coral like the others. Good customer service. This place for whatever reason gets a lot of hate, check it out yourself before you judge.. sheesh
Tropical Kingdom
* Now this place smells.. their tanks look hideous, and from fishnfanatic's post has cool fish?! ... a lot of dead fish in their inventory, a lot of green tanks in their inventory, very poorly managed tanks... and smells like multiple dead animals are packed away in corners in that store. I would recommend wearing a N95 mask and respirator if you want to go to visit that store. Go check it out for yourself, you will see what we mean by it. Customer service is hit and miss to, for the most part, terrible service.
Cheers. :thumbsup:
smtank
New member
+1 on Oasis and Tropical Kingdom.
Hector at Oasis has been very good to me over the years. You can get some good stuff if you keep an eye out. To each their own I guess.
Tropical Kingdom a whole different story way over priced, customer service is non existent except at check out.
I look forward to visiting Fishy and GQ.
Hector at Oasis has been very good to me over the years. You can get some good stuff if you keep an eye out. To each their own I guess.
Tropical Kingdom a whole different story way over priced, customer service is non existent except at check out.
I look forward to visiting Fishy and GQ.
smtank
New member
Awww that is kind of sad. I have not been there in over a year and I noticed it was on the decline two years ago.
Sounds like Fishy and GQ will provide a decent reefer shopping experience.
Does anyone remember that store that used to be on Campbell I believe that had the huge and I mean huge outbreak of brown FW?
fishnfanatic
New member
I kinda feel that I went to a different place than you with regards to Oasis Tropical Fish. I actually stopped by a second time last Thursday as I pass by it everyday.
The coral tanks are dirty and have bubble algae and aphasia in them. It did not smell as bad as the last time I was in, but it still smelled.
The fist time I went in, the owner was arguing with someone on the phone. This last time there was a kid, a wannabe gangster with Tatoo's up and down his arms a baseball cap worn crooked on his head and dressed in black. He didn't seem the slightest bit knowledgeable about the hobby. I thought I was in a tattoo shop, not an LFS!
The fish tanks were cleaner than the last time I was in there, but, they were still full of sick looking fish all connected on the same system.
For my system, I am sticking with GQ and Fishy Bizness.
aquaph8
Love The Fish
I think that's a good idea, makes things a little safer and easier. Can't wait to see it come together.
brettinteriors
New member
Welcome
MurphysLaw
New member
hola, that's Spanish for hello
Ant1matt3r
New member
Hi guys, I'm a long-time RC lurker, first time really getting involved. I didn't realize there was a Tucson community! I'm so happy for this ... That said, I'd planned my tank for years, and finally got the money to execute my plan. I'm looking forward to getting to know this community better.
aquaph8
Love The Fish
Hi, Welcome to the Tucson forum. Looking forward to seeing what you have planned.
Ant1matt3r
New member
I've actually had my system running for 6 months now. I've got a 125H LPS dominant tank. So much money and time, but so rewarding. My aquarium is now my source of entertainment and relaxation after a long day of work.
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