Greetings from Buffalo!

[Johnny C]

:wavehand: Hi Everyone...

My name is Jon and I'm from Buffalo, New York. My cousins are in the process of moving to Pittsburgh and I'm planning on driving out (possibly next weekend 5/1-5/3) to help with the move. I've heard good things about your reef club, and it won't be a trip without me stopping off to a LFS @ some point.

With that being said, what is the best LFS (variety/price wise) that you guys would recommend I stop at? I don't want to make it a popularity contest, but I won't have much time and want to make the most of it. If theres 2-3 in very close range I may be able to make it happen.

Furthermore, I'm pretty pumped to check out the city for the first time!

I'll bring some wings and bad sports luck with me in return for zoa frags!

 

[Stray32]

It depends on what you are looking for. Wet Pets has the best fish by far, but their stuff is expensive. Aquaworld has the best coral. Elmers carry a decent selection of both.

 

[ironwill723]

+1 for Wet Pets on Fish and quality of livestock. Prices tend to be higher than Elmers and AquaWorld.

 

[hybridazn]

always been a fan of elmers.

 

[vr697getta]

never been to wet pets but, i never bought a fish from elmers and have it die shorty after. actually in the 2+ years of buying fish from elmers none have died on me but a few did jump.

 

[vr697getta]

oh yeah 1+ for aqua world for corals

 

[SirusX1721]

Elmers is by far my fav. I've been going there since my first Piranha and Percula.

 

[bigmatt1992]

my fav. is def aqua world they are the best allaround in my opion.

 

[Johnny C]

I'm mostly into corals/inverts, so it seems like aqua world is the best option. How are the prices? Thanks again guys!

 

[ironwill723]

Might get blasted for saying this but... I find it very hard to support a store that seems in such disarray. I feel like I need a shower after shopping in Aquaworld sometimes. Owners seem nice but I would rather pay a few bucks more and go to Elmers or WetPets. Just my opinion.

 

[bigmatt1992]

i love aquaworld it takes some time to get use to but the service is good very nolgable and very very good selection.

 

[cloakerpoked]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14885229#post14885229 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ironwill723
Might get blasted for saying this but... I find it very hard to support a store that seems in such disarray. I feel like I need a shower after shopping in Aquaworld sometimes. Owners seem nice but I would rather pay a few bucks more and go to Elmers or WetPets. Just my opinion.

I found that the conditions of the reptiles were deplorable when I was there, and have never bought something from them (although I've wanted to all 3 times I've been there) because I can't support a store that doesn't take care of all the livestock they keep. I wanted to send Jeff a PM to address this issue, but it's disallowed on this site...

Let me be clear, so that this isn't taken as anything other than what it is meant to be, and that's constructive criticism. The coral selection there is the best in the city to be sure. The prices (at least in my opinion) aren't really better or worse than Elmers. I just can't support the store in general because of the way they had the reptile cages when I was there. If they were to clean them up and keep them clean, or do away with them completely, I'd definitely patronize Aquaworld on a regular basis. They're a notch above Burtons/Petco to be sure...95% great and 5% bad just isn't good enough for me. I'll take 100% good over that, but others may not share my ecological views....

I do believe that WetPets has the nicest selection of fish in the city, and definitely the nicest showroom. I have long been a supporter of the Seahorse, and will continue to do so since my mom has been an employee there for 10+ years now (does aquarium maintainance for them currently) and wouldn't hesitate to buy a fish from them. The coral selection is generally over-priced, and limited to LPS and a few softies. Of all the stores in the area, I have come to believe that Elmers has the best variety of all of them. Again, that's nothing but my opinion, but since the OP asked for our opinions, I freely give it

 

[superstein61]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14885229#post14885229 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ironwill723
Might get blasted for saying this but... I find it very hard to support a store that seems in such disarray. I feel like I need a shower after shopping in Aquaworld sometimes. Owners seem nice but I would rather pay a few bucks more and go to Elmers or WetPets. Just my opinion.

Well, I will second a lot of what ironwill and Nate have to say. And i hope Jeff takes this in the constructive spirit it is intended.

Aquaworld's coral selection is the best in the city that I have seen, and I have bought some things there that have done nicely for me. I also like that they were willing to give me store credit on some corals I wanted to get rid off. And Jeff was helpful during my visit. On the downside, I can't bring myself to buy a fish there (some of the tanks always seem to be in major need of maintenance) and I too was a bit put off by the reptiles and general appearance. I guess my teenage daughter kind of sums it up from a non reefer perspective when she said the one day I met Nate there to pick up some stuff from a group buy, Dad, this store is kinda sketchy.

As to fish, WetPets is by far the best IMO. Always a great selection, exceptionally clean tanks, great display and best showroom. And if you know who to talk to, the guys tehre are pretty knowledgable. On the downside, they don't give you store credit for livestock (but I have given them some fish just becuase I know they will treat them right). I don't buy coral there because it is typically overpriced

 

[Tswifty]

Aquaworld is the only "LFS" I have ever seen that carries high end and lineaged corals... Not your ORA run of the mill stuff... which anyone who has a wholesale account/store front (some without them) can do... but the nice Tyree, etc... and they get them from the source.

Also, you actually get to see these pieces in person. Coming from someone who is into those types of corals... seriously, try to find half of those corals. Oh yeah, then go see them in person... Not gonna happen.

Cali, if you're into nice stuff... you'll feel like a kid in a candy store. Great prices too, considering what most of that stuff goes for.

 

[bigmatt1992]

tj i agree with you completly there stuff is top notch and i will support jeff and his store all the way there fish selection is normal but there corals are outstanding varity you have from the typical softie to the high end acro and chalice. i spend hours just browsing threw the coral to find the frag i want but theres just to much to chose from. there reptials cages last time i was there were pretty clean not to bad. I SUPPORT AQUA WORLD 100% cali thats the place you wanna go for good service, good prices, the best selection.