Lfs in so cal
- Thread starter Spssteven
- Start date
B
bozoreefer
Wow...are you sure that you're 'mr happy'?
Lol! I tried to be "Mr. Happy" before I stepped into the store.
But when I got in, I wasn't happy due to bad customer service. Etc
I actually went into to inquire/ready to buy their display tank. I think it was a 8 foot by 48in tank. I wanted to buy that and everything inside of it all corals and fish rock, everything. I bet it all of it was at least 10 grand
I'm trying to buy something for an office we run. But they didn't really care to carry a conversation with me. So I left in 2 minutes lol.
Won't be coming back. Wish they were nice. Could have had my business and my family's business as well. I'm sure they have lots of customers already. Losing one isn't a big deal I guess.
asuncionmj
New member
I didn't go through the whole thread, but I'll mention P & P Tropical Fish. I've been going here for the past three years. His fish have never given me issues (I've gotten Begai Cardinal, Starry Blenny, all my CUC, Mandarin Goby, 6-Line Wrasse, Royal Blue Tang, Bi-Color Angel and two RBTA). He doesn't sell any SPS, but has good LPS and softies.
I've never had any issues with his corals opening for me on day one.
The owner Paul, his wife Paula and his son Phillip have always given me great advice on my tank from day one and don't push you to buy unwanted items and even have told me not to get certain things because I wouldn't need it for my livestock. They have been around for 20+ years and have several long time customers.
Located in Cypress, on the corner of Ball and Moody.
I've never had any issues with his corals opening for me on day one.
The owner Paul, his wife Paula and his son Phillip have always given me great advice on my tank from day one and don't push you to buy unwanted items and even have told me not to get certain things because I wouldn't need it for my livestock. They have been around for 20+ years and have several long time customers.
Located in Cypress, on the corner of Ball and Moody.
OC CJ
Crushed coral > sand
Your experience with P&P is vastly different than mine. I used to live over by that store. Stopped in a few times but one time I'll never forget.
A friend had bought me a few fish for my birthday. Unfortunately, I had to return all of them. The owner was nice but offered me bottom dollar for the fish he just sold to my friend. Then, when I tried to negotiate to trade the fish for a dry goods product that was a few bucks more than he was offering me, he launched into this rant about why do I think he should negotiate and how people don't go to the grocery store and negotiate prices.
Needless to say, I walked out never to return.
A friend had bought me a few fish for my birthday. Unfortunately, I had to return all of them. The owner was nice but offered me bottom dollar for the fish he just sold to my friend. Then, when I tried to negotiate to trade the fish for a dry goods product that was a few bucks more than he was offering me, he launched into this rant about why do I think he should negotiate and how people don't go to the grocery store and negotiate prices.
Needless to say, I walked out never to return.
Reeferside
New member
Anyone who thinks a store is bad because they got ich is not a correct representation of a LFS... Though Health of livestock can be attributed to the store since they choose which wholesaler they go to.. As well as they are selling these to the public.
I'm pretty sure I can buy fish from any store and get ich if I don't follow QT procedures. We should consider ourselves lucky if you're like me and rarely follows the QT procedures for new additions.
Coral health on the other hand is a big factor to me. I barely go to stores around where I live because of selection mostly. I would much rather drive an hour out to OC to visit the stores with a wider selection of fish and corals... These stores even have a larger dry goods selection.. I couldn't even find an apex breakout box within 40 minutes from me.. Sad
Anyways as for great stores..
Reed lounge has a good selection every time I'm there. Their corals are sometimes a bit more pricey but its a nice spot.
Seaside tropical has an amazing fish collection. Sometimes I don't need to buy fish but if I'm close I'll stop by and check everything out.
Iconic reef supply is a cool little shop. Not much advertisement and sponsor forums for them but they are fair and negotiable. I got an amazing wall hammer from them for $30-40 cheaper than elsewhere.
I'm pretty sure I can buy fish from any store and get ich if I don't follow QT procedures. We should consider ourselves lucky if you're like me and rarely follows the QT procedures for new additions.
Coral health on the other hand is a big factor to me. I barely go to stores around where I live because of selection mostly. I would much rather drive an hour out to OC to visit the stores with a wider selection of fish and corals... These stores even have a larger dry goods selection.. I couldn't even find an apex breakout box within 40 minutes from me.. Sad
Anyways as for great stores..
Reed lounge has a good selection every time I'm there. Their corals are sometimes a bit more pricey but its a nice spot.
Seaside tropical has an amazing fish collection. Sometimes I don't need to buy fish but if I'm close I'll stop by and check everything out.
Iconic reef supply is a cool little shop. Not much advertisement and sponsor forums for them but they are fair and negotiable. I got an amazing wall hammer from them for $30-40 cheaper than elsewhere.
Joe Kelley
Active member
Reef_Chris
New member
The Aquarium Connection in Simi Valley:
http://www.theaquariumconnection.com/
Peter is a great guy and prices are fair on most stuff. Within the last few months they got a nice frag tank going and are adding more every week.
http://www.theaquariumconnection.com/
Peter is a great guy and prices are fair on most stuff. Within the last few months they got a nice frag tank going and are adding more every week.
Magnerific
Member
Pluming supplies at LAX aquarium !! good prices very helpful staff. i usually go to VIvid or rainbow for fish in the SFV
The new Deep blue aquarium is running specials sunday from 12-3pm 20% off fish.
The new Deep blue aquarium is running specials sunday from 12-3pm 20% off fish.
sil40sx
Member
CK Fish World in West Covina has been my main shop for both fresh and saltwater needs. They have a great selection of corals (mostly LPS, zoas, and softies), healthy livestock, and the staff is nice! I would also recommend Aquatic Designs in Santa Barbara they are by the original Habit in old town Goleta. Atlantis Aquariums in SB has nice displays but is overpriced and the workers can be quite rude.
Joe Kelley
Active member
Had a nice visit today with Hong at Deep Blue Aquarium in North Hollywood. The store looks very nice and clean, I really liked the well maintained mixed reef display aquarium. Signs of a passionate aquarist everywhere, grow out tanks packed with growing frags and good prices. Good prices on fish as well, some very cute small copper band butterfly too.
He took time to show me all his systems and animals. Glad I went, and will go back.
https://www.facebook.com/www.deepbluereef.net/
Joe
He took time to show me all his systems and animals. Glad I went, and will go back.
https://www.facebook.com/www.deepbluereef.net/
Joe
Joe Kelley
Active member
My favorite shop,
http://www.amazingaquariumsandreefs.com
http://www.amazingaquariumsandreefs.com
Any suggestions for quality fish in Orange County area? Looking for a good shop to pickup some fish tonight, my lady really wants to check out some fishes
jsanchez77
New member
ellis aquatics has best price for water, and supplies. they could order almost anything at a lower price than retail
SantaMonica
Well-known member
Wow did not know about Amazing.
ReefTron5000
Member
Did Coral Collection in Lake Forest close?
VWHACK
Member
One can only hope so.
ReefTron5000
Member
LOL. I know what you mean, I was just looking for some dry goods.
Sucks there are no decent shops in south OC, kind of surprised really. Lots of hobbyists down here. One can only drive out to Amazing Aquariums so often.
Sucks there are no decent shops in south OC, kind of surprised really. Lots of hobbyists down here. One can only drive out to Amazing Aquariums so often.
