Are there any good lfs in Hampton Roads besides Fish Safari in Virginia Beach some of there corals are really expensive, and some are at a reasonable price, but there corals always look healthy, but it's about 35 miles away from my house. The one that I know so far are Care-A-Lot in Newport News which is expensive, and there corals always look bad, and Tonya's Pet Store in Hampton which there sw section is really small and they might only have about six corals the most at any given time.
LFS in Hampton Roads, Va
- Thread starter Quis
- Start date
HRRC :
www.hrrc.us
www.hrrc.us
Jrw I just check out Reef Cheif it seem like the type of lfs that I have been looking for but it seems like you have to have an appointment to go to the store. Is that really the case? If it is how hard is it to make an appointment. Oh by the way I just sign up at hrrc. Thanks for your help.
I live in the Hampton Roads area as well. Here are my thoughts:
- Fish Safari - Probably the best store I've been to around here. They have a knowledgeable staff. Pretty healthy specimens with an emphasis on reef, but, I agree with the previous poster, they are a bit pricey. They are still no match to the stores I frequented when I lived in California.
- Animal Jungle - Their livestock sucks, especially the corals. They never look healthy or happy. They have some nice staff. I feel sorry for them, having to deal with all he uninformed customers that go in there. They do have a nice selection of dry goods. They also have RODI water and salt water for sale at reasonable prices.
- Scales and Tales - On Portsmouth Blvd, in the Western Branch area of Chesapeake. This is a nice little store. Not too much selection and hardly any good reef dry goods. They always seem to have something I want, though.
- Pet Wherehouse? - On First Colonial Rd in Va Beach. They have a very limited selection of corals. They have a fair amount of fish. Prices are high. I don't go there very often.
I have never been to Reef Cheif or Colley Ave Corals. I'd like to check them out soon.
I have yet to find a LFS around here that has good live rock. For some reason they only sell crappy aiptasia infested, bleached white, ugly rock.
- Fish Safari - Probably the best store I've been to around here. They have a knowledgeable staff. Pretty healthy specimens with an emphasis on reef, but, I agree with the previous poster, they are a bit pricey. They are still no match to the stores I frequented when I lived in California.
- Animal Jungle - Their livestock sucks, especially the corals. They never look healthy or happy. They have some nice staff. I feel sorry for them, having to deal with all he uninformed customers that go in there. They do have a nice selection of dry goods. They also have RODI water and salt water for sale at reasonable prices.
- Scales and Tales - On Portsmouth Blvd, in the Western Branch area of Chesapeake. This is a nice little store. Not too much selection and hardly any good reef dry goods. They always seem to have something I want, though.
- Pet Wherehouse? - On First Colonial Rd in Va Beach. They have a very limited selection of corals. They have a fair amount of fish. Prices are high. I don't go there very often.
I have never been to Reef Cheif or Colley Ave Corals. I'd like to check them out soon.
I have yet to find a LFS around here that has good live rock. For some reason they only sell crappy aiptasia infested, bleached white, ugly rock.
Sorry it took me so long to reply. Reef Chief is in VA Beach and yes you should call first to make sure he is there. The deal is this.. Jeff the owner is running the business from his home for the time being. He has plans to expand into a more traditional store soon. For now its a guy selling out of his garage with great stuff, great service, and he is very excited about reefing. Check out the HRRC site for much more info and also the Reef Chief site. Hope this helps.
sneeyatch
Active member
the chief carries all kinds of stuff and if he doesn't have it, he can get it for you. i go there when i have money :bum:
as far as i know, he's got the best selection of corals in virginia beach. right now, he's got leng sy cap, purple monster, etc. he specializes in sps.
he carries few fish - mostly inverts, cleaners and corals.
imo, animal jungle has decent deals on dry goods - livestock sucks. fish safari has good live stock and dry goods, but are expensive, and their staff consists of a bunch of knowledgeable asses. one of their employees made verbal physical threats on my own well being - needless to say - off the list. there are 2 allpets - 1 in hilltop and 1 in the general booth area - hilltop has decent stuff, and you can find a deal - the general booth location has bad livestock, and everything is way too pricey. there is pet paradise off of virginia beach blvd around arragona and their making a good effort to upgrade thei sw section. mom & pop place - not too bad - got my cats and my ferrett from them. i've only been to colley ave corrals once when they just opened and they had little livestock, but it looked ok - too far for me.
bottom line - if you come to the beach, the best place is the reef chief. excellent customer service, cool guy and great looking livestock. only down side is he's small, and you need to call ahead.
as far as i know, he's got the best selection of corals in virginia beach. right now, he's got leng sy cap, purple monster, etc. he specializes in sps.
he carries few fish - mostly inverts, cleaners and corals.
imo, animal jungle has decent deals on dry goods - livestock sucks. fish safari has good live stock and dry goods, but are expensive, and their staff consists of a bunch of knowledgeable asses. one of their employees made verbal physical threats on my own well being - needless to say - off the list. there are 2 allpets - 1 in hilltop and 1 in the general booth area - hilltop has decent stuff, and you can find a deal - the general booth location has bad livestock, and everything is way too pricey. there is pet paradise off of virginia beach blvd around arragona and their making a good effort to upgrade thei sw section. mom & pop place - not too bad - got my cats and my ferrett from them. i've only been to colley ave corrals once when they just opened and they had little livestock, but it looked ok - too far for me.
bottom line - if you come to the beach, the best place is the reef chief. excellent customer service, cool guy and great looking livestock. only down side is he's small, and you need to call ahead.
woodstock '69
Premium Member
This does not answer your q, but the place in Richmond's west end is called Alantis Aquarium. It is the nicest reef store I have ever seen. Pricing may be a little high (not really sure) but if you go there when you are ready to buy, I expect you would find it worth the trip. Make sure you are there near new shipment time to get a better selection.
4 hours round trip is a hell of a committment, but you might still find it worth your time.
Michael
4 hours round trip is a hell of a committment, but you might still find it worth your time.
Michael
