good LFS in San Gabriel area

[Jamie1210]

Hi, i'm sure there have been posts and lists about this, but where could I find a list of good LFS in the LA region? (Search option isn't working right now) But Specifically near San Gabriel? I've been to the Pasadena one on Colorado which is pretty nice, as well as one in Monterey Park called Total Fish and Pets--the owner's pretty cool there. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Jamie

 

[Bebo77]

http://zoyzoy.com/aquarium/aquariumstoresmap.asp

 

[reefkt]

Re: good LFS in San Gabriel area

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7882395#post7882395 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jamie1210
Hi, i'm sure there have been posts and lists about this, but where could I find a list of good LFS in the LA region? (Search option isn't working right now) But Specifically near San Gabriel? I've been to the Pasadena one on Colorado which is pretty nice, as well as one in Monterey Park called Total Fish and Pets--the owner's pretty cool there. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Jamie

Are you sure both of them are good?

 

[phatphisher]

i personally like total fish in monterey park. i think the owner, ken, is more of a freshwater guy but he's pretty cool. he's surrounded by chinese stores so he's pretty used to bargaining. gotta hit his shop at the right time to get the best stuff. sunday afternoon was always good. havent been there in a couple months tho.

 

[Jamie1210]

Are you sure both of them are good?

Well, I thought the pasadena one had everything I was looking for, plus, lots of livestock, very clean, quarantine their stock, was very impressed. And as for the MP one, FW stuff, they are kinda lacking, and not much marine fish, but they do have good coral and inverts Got my rose anemone from him back in May for a pretty kicking price!

Have you been to either? If so, curious to hear about your experiences. In any case, thanks for the link, Bebo

~jamie

 

[Jamie1210]

Are you sure both of them are good?

Well, I thought the pasadena one had everything I was looking for, plus, lots of livestock, very clean, quarantine their stock, was very impressed. And as for the MP one, FW stuff, they are kinda lacking, and not much marine fish, but they do have good coral and inverts Got my rose anemone from him back in May for a pretty kicking price!

Have you been to either? If so, curious to hear about your experiences. In any case, thanks for the link, Bebo

~jamie

 

[reefkt]

A story like that: A "new to the hobby" bring a "brand new" CO2 bottle to one LFS ask about the refill fee of CO2, then the owner of the LFS point at a kinda of "very old" bottle say you can get this one home and leave yours here. the customer say: But mine is a new one? The LFS guy:"WE ALWAYS DO LIKE THAT"
OK! Are we always do like that????

 

[opTIMus702]

which lfs did this happened at?

 

[bromion]

I found the LFS on Colorado in Pasadena to be spotty. Sometimes I would go in there and stuff would look great, other times they'd have dying fish and ailing corals. They do have a large drygoods selection, though.

Sorry, don't know other places in the area that are worthwhile.

 

[phatphisher]

WE ALWAYS DO LIKE THAT"
OK! Are we always do like that????

actually "we always do like that" is normal. LFS do not have the capability to refill your new CO2 bottle. even if u take it to an airgas filling station, they'll offer you to "exchange" your bottle with a pre-filled tank. otherwise, u hav to wait until they fill ur tank. normally not a long wait but i've been there when they are too busy and i had to leave by bottle and come back the next day.

 

[dangle]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7884895#post7884895 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bromion
I found the LFS on Colorado in Pasadena to be spotty. Sometimes I would go in there and stuff would look great, other times they'd have dying fish and ailing corals. They do have a large drygoods selection, though.

Sorry, don't know other places in the area that are worthwhile.

Yup, I'd say that pretty much sums up the situation in the SGV. Pasadena Tropical Fish on Colorado has probably been better more often than not in the last year or so, at least in my experience. And there is Jan's on Rosemead, but they're only good if you need some food or supplies. They seem to have good FW fish but their SW selection is pretty lame.

I usually go to Tongs or Passion of the Sea, or take a drive to the valley and visit Marks or Aquarium City. But most times its off to OC, they have the most LFS of any area.

I remember talking to Jeff, of Jeffs Exotic Fish, one day and told him of the sorry state of LFS's in the SGV. I think he said he thought there was a lack of stores here and was hoping to one day open a store around here. I really wish he would.

 

[reefkt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7885030#post7885030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phatphisher
actually "we always do like that" is normal. LFS do not have the capability to refill your new CO2 bottle. even if u take it to an airgas filling station, they'll offer you to "exchange" your bottle with a pre-filled tank. otherwise, u hav to wait until they fill ur tank. normally not a long wait but i've been there when they are too busy and i had to leave by bottle and come back the next day.

He didn't say he want it rightaway. And the owner not even tell the truth. If the owner say you can either leave it here and pick up next time, or get a filled one now. That would be acceptable.