Hello - travellin reefer looking for some sights

[jet_jer]

Hello all - I figured this was the best place to ask. I am a member of the Upstate reef club of Western New York and am on business in the Irvine, CA area. Can anyone point me in to some stores or aquariums that I should try to visit.

Thanks,
Jeremiah

 

[Scott S]

Just a little north of Irvine, is Tong's in Fountain Valley. A great place to look.

 

[jjirsa78]

The ones I frequent are Tong's (mentioned above), Coral Oasis in Irvine ( directions at www.coraloasis.com ), and Jeff's in Costa Mesa or Orange ( directions at www.exoticfish.com ).

There's also Window To The Sea ( www.windowtothesea.com , near the 5 / 55 ) in Orange/Tustin/Santa Ana, but I've been pretty depressed the last few times I was there - dead fish, flatworms, and why do they have such a big turtle in such a small tank? I really hope that's a freshwater turtle in the saltwater section of the shop ...

 

[sinned]

Also not too far away are: Passion of the Sea aka Aquadesignz in Roland Heights
and Central Aquarium, aka Frag Farmer in Upland. Both worth the trip from
anywhere in So. Cal. Good reefin! Dennis

 

[john37]

forget jeffs, they dont have anything and they charge too much. waste of time in my opinion but coral oasis, tongs(little expensive, but great stuff) and passion of the sea are great suggestions.

 

[gregm5]

if you have time, i would go to the aquarium of the pacific in long beach, i really enjoy their coral tank and they have lots of other cool displays as well.

 

[Yinger]

if you just want to look around I would definitely recommend Tong's. They have the nicest selection and their sps dominant tank looks really nice.

 

[jet_jer]

Thanks Guys!!! I'll have to see how many I can hit.

Jer

 

[Texsun]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7548210#post7548210 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fish2223
Also not too far away are: Passion of the Sea aka Aquadesignz in Roland Heights
and Central Aquarium, aka Frag Farmer in Upland. Both worth the trip from
anywhere in So. Cal. Good reefin! Dennis

Lol, while I agree the two are worth a visit, recommending them is like telling someone visiting NYC to check out LFS in Philly.

 

[bergzy]

if you like the really cool corals...i mean...the really hard to find corals...

there is really only one retail store that has them...

central aquarium aka fragfarmer.com

some of the coolest stuff you can only dream about!

i would also visit aquarium of the pacific in long beach, sea world in san diego and...that is about all i can think of at the moment.

i think it would be worth it to vist eric's:

Directions from Irvine to Eric's

Total Est. Time: 43 minutes Total Est. Distance: 41.21 miles

enjoy your visit!!!

 

[jjirsa78]

Come on ... Irvine to Upland in the middle of the day will never be 43 minutes.

 

[bergzy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7549744#post7549744 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jjirsa78
Come on ... Irvine to Upland in the middle of the day will never be 43 minutes.

y'ur right!

that's what i only go on early saturday afternoons!

 

[laverda]

There are plenty of stores much closer. Check out this site. http://zoyzoy.com/aquarium/aquariumstoresmap.asp
I am super close to Coral Oasis in Irvine if you wouldlike to stop and see my tank.

 

[fish_fanatik]

How long are you here for?

I doubt your going to buy anything so I would recommend the stores with the most desireable stuff.

Tongs in Huntington beach/fountain valley
coral oasis in irvine
passion of the sea in rowland heights

Also long beach aquarium is very nice. and if you have the time (1.5 hours drive) go to Sea World.

Have fun!!!

 

[jet_jer]

I'm only here until Friday after noon and since today I am free at 1:00 I am planning the trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Friday is free until about 1:00 so I'll see what I can visit then as well.

Jer

 

[cthetoy]

Since you are probably not going to buy anything and if you had to choose one store then Tongs in Fountain Valley would be the one to visit.

 

[Texsun]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7551127#post7551127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jet_jer
I'm only here until Friday after noon and since today I am free at 1:00 I am planning the trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Friday is free until about 1:00 so I'll see what I can visit then as well.

Jer

I think a realistic itinerary would be to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific as soon as you're free (to avoid 405 traffic), enjoy walking around the boardwalk in Long Beach and then hit Tong's on the way back to Irvine. On Friday, you can visit Coral Oasis and Reef Collection before noon and still have time for a nice, leisurely lunch.

 

[jet_jer]

Thats my plan! Thanks

jer