Lfs in so cal
- Thread starter Spssteven
- Start date
SALTWATERSIG
New member
My Thanksgiving weekend visit (actually just Saturday)
I went to Ali's Amazing aquariums in Orange and was mesmerized by his store.....at least 90% of his tanks looked like mature display tanks . I saw maybe two tanks that held frags and a few colonies but the rest of the tanks were gorgeous. My hat goes off to you Mr. Ali for having such a beautiful store front.
Next was Coral Collection in Westminster, These guys had a decent amount of sps frags and lps as well. They had a good amount of fish avail and a lot more spaces to hold even more.....when I walked in they were in the process of helping out another customer who appeared to be a regular of their store and once they started asking how they could assist me ,well lets just say they made me feel very comfortable in answering my various questions....as a matter a fact the other customer whom already had several fish bagged up ...offered to let me purchase one of the fish he had picked already since he got the last one of a goby which I wanted and simply explained he could always get another through the stores regular shipment. Nice gesture on his part and the guys behind the counter were in agreement with ordering another. I actually passed on his generous offer and bought a hidden lps aussie gem they had in the back tank.
3rd stop was at Aquarium World near LAX , Wow ...this store is huge ...large salt water section, lots of fish ,lps,softies,clams and anemonies......large freshwater section in back and hage section for tank/stand/canopies and also big selection of drygoods , nice big clean store.
Final stop and never dissapointed making the visit.....Vivid Aquarium in Canoga Park. This place is literally like a candy store of coral and fishes. Excellant staff helping all and any customers , quality selection of live and dry goods. You can just spend hours looking at all the fish and corals.......and trust me ....time is not all you'll spend ( lol ) but in the end its money well spent.
Well this was just my experiance and hopefully others can chime in with theirs.
I went to Ali's Amazing aquariums in Orange and was mesmerized by his store.....at least 90% of his tanks looked like mature display tanks . I saw maybe two tanks that held frags and a few colonies but the rest of the tanks were gorgeous. My hat goes off to you Mr. Ali for having such a beautiful store front.
Next was Coral Collection in Westminster, These guys had a decent amount of sps frags and lps as well. They had a good amount of fish avail and a lot more spaces to hold even more.....when I walked in they were in the process of helping out another customer who appeared to be a regular of their store and once they started asking how they could assist me ,well lets just say they made me feel very comfortable in answering my various questions....as a matter a fact the other customer whom already had several fish bagged up ...offered to let me purchase one of the fish he had picked already since he got the last one of a goby which I wanted and simply explained he could always get another through the stores regular shipment. Nice gesture on his part and the guys behind the counter were in agreement with ordering another. I actually passed on his generous offer and bought a hidden lps aussie gem they had in the back tank.
3rd stop was at Aquarium World near LAX , Wow ...this store is huge ...large salt water section, lots of fish ,lps,softies,clams and anemonies......large freshwater section in back and hage section for tank/stand/canopies and also big selection of drygoods , nice big clean store.
Final stop and never dissapointed making the visit.....Vivid Aquarium in Canoga Park. This place is literally like a candy store of coral and fishes. Excellant staff helping all and any customers , quality selection of live and dry goods. You can just spend hours looking at all the fish and corals.......and trust me ....time is not all you'll spend ( lol ) but in the end its money well spent.
Well this was just my experiance and hopefully others can chime in with theirs.
lemmy_k
New member
Looking forward to going by there.
I'd love to see Tongs go. I have never had a fish survive that I bought there. I can't get any help there, and they won't deal with you at all.
I have been going to 405 for over 10 years. Not the biggest, not the best selection, not really willing to order fish for you but they are always VERY helpful, and are willing to deal. I have had great luck with the fish I buy there and they usually will buy them back down the road. Pretty sure I put the owners daughter through college!
I have been using Seaside for about a year now. They have a good selection of everything. Fairly good luck with fish there. The shopping center they are in is going through a remodel and it's taking a toll on their store. They lost half of their store and the parking lot has been closed for days at a time. Not good when you need 30 gal. salt and 15 gal fresh for a water change.
lemmy_k
New member
I went in there. I was the only customer, couldn't get any help. Won't be going back.
pretty sure that I read that the RHS name, was sold to an online vendor...and that they had closed their LA shop for good.
I have such mixed emotions about tongs. They have so much selection... but the help is non-existant.
There is one guy there named John who was always nice to me, and the girl that works there, but beyond that... eesh.
lemmy_k
New member
Nice avatar...
I think that is Pacific Reef. I don't remember seeing the same employee twice there except the owner, Brian.
Last edited:
KillerReef
Wrasse-a-holic
Yes, that is Pacific Reef, good store, just stay away from the one in Orange on Tustin, same owners, but 2 totally different qualities of store.
pheallox
New member
Mike owns the shop in Orange and Brian owns the Fountain Vally shop. Don't like mike to condescending for some one with his experience in this hobby, but Brian is a good guy who will work with you and knows his stuff.
Jormungandr
New member
I have been to this store many times, especially when I was first starting out in the hobby. Let me just say that unless you are stuck and cannot go anywhere else, do not go there. They're prices are outrageous. When I was just getting into it, the old manager named AJ charged me $120 for a 300 gph overflow box and said it would be cheaper than drilling my tank. Other than that, I was near there and decided to go in and see if I could get a Koralia. They wanted to charge my about $75 for a model that's usually about $45. However, I will give them credit where it is due and say that their stock is pretty healthy and that they do have a wide selection.
I am also pretty surprised that no one has mentioned Nature Aquarium yet. They don't have a big selection, but what they do have is always healthy(they quarantine all new arrivals) and they have very fair prices for dry goods. They do a lot of freshwater stuff and it is amazing to see all their planted tanks when you go in there.
Is this the store that was in Aliso Viejo? I'm not sure when they moved, but I use to visit it here and there since it was down the street from my work. When it was in Aliso Viejo, it was actually a pretty small store but he did really well setting it up and utilized his space very well. Very clean store, the fish looked healthy and it kept getting better and better. I think this was about 3.5 years ago.
I just got back in the hobby about 5-6 months ago, but the shop was no longer there. However, yesterday I got an email and they now have a new location. I'll probably stop by again in a month to check it out, since it's the closest LFS to me.
If that is the one on Foothill...Meh.
Walked in...and the two guys behind the counter were more interested in the football game.
lemmy_k
New member
I tried the place up the street from Tongs again too. Two Employees, I was the only customer and couldn't get help.
I finally made it to Amazing Aquariums; several customers, one employee and I was asked several times if I had any questions or needed help. He will get some business from me on my next livestock purchase.
Seaside has some new staff that I don't care for, and their prices have gone up lately. Still have good luck with their livestock though.
I finally made it to Amazing Aquariums; several customers, one employee and I was asked several times if I had any questions or needed help. He will get some business from me on my next livestock purchase.
Seaside has some new staff that I don't care for, and their prices have gone up lately. Still have good luck with their livestock though.
I stopped in there on Sunday. The new store is still under way but they have some dry goods for sale. David and Ed were both there and nice as ever.
I'm happy to see that they're opening their doors again, in a convenient location. They are right on the corner of Alicia and Via Fabricante, near the Rubio's.
