LFS tour

[MurphysLaw]

Hi all. I'm up from Tucson for the day. I came up with my GF who is up here for work stuff in Peoria. Dropped her off and I came up with a plan. Check it out and chime in. This will be my first visit to any of these shops.

Tour in order starting now:

-Aqua Touch
-Discount Aquarium, Fish, & Reef
-Reef Culture
-The Aquarius
-SW Aquaculture
-Club Reef

Picking her up around 2pm

-Rainforest Cafe

Then returning to pick up any purchase before heading back to Tucson.

I feel like I am at Disney world. I wish we had this many stores in Tucson.

 

[MurphysLaw]

Oh yeah and particulars I would like to go home with include, but are not limited to, a sm/md torch (the GF requested a euphyllia, her favorite), a sm/md Tridacna Maxima (also a request from the GF), and a Fathead Sunburst Anthias.

 

[tcamos]

It's a bit out of the way for you but Reef Monster is worth a visit as well. It's out East but generally has a nice selection.

 

[MurphysLaw]

My original list had several more stops but Reef Monsters is definitely a stop I will add back in time permitting and rush hour permitting. Thanks Chad.

 

[Sammykonga]

I think your last stop will have everything you are looking for except the Anthias. I was just in there yesterday. Also, they just received an order today. Personally, I would skip Reef Culture. It just isn't the same anymore, not up to par with other stores on your list. It's sad really.

 

[Brew132]

If you're out East Valley you NEED to stop by Sun Valley Marine. It's a garage business but you'll be impress with their coral selection (not frags but big corals) and also prices.

 

[bambam918]

+1^

 

[bambam918]

i think your last stop will have everything you are looking for except the anthias. I was just in there yesterday. Also, they just received an order today. Personally, i would skip reef culture. It just isn't the same anymore, not up to par with other stores on your list. It's sad really.

+1. Reef Culture use to be my go to store but its not even in my top 3 now....Good staff though

 

[Mael]

You will defintiely get a look at the variety of LFS we have here. Discount and Aquarius are smaller operations but have great pricing and good selection, culture, aquatouch have beautiful displays and great selection....prcing is what it is for the larger overhead they have. Havent been to club reef yet but have heard good things.

 

[MurphysLaw]

Just got done with the list and we are about to get some lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. I heard they have some cool tanks. All the comments were very accurate. I loved the palladium display at Aqua Touch. I see a setup like that in my future. Sammykonga, you were right. I am going back to Club Reef on the way out of town to pickup a really nice Ultra Maxima, as well as a cool wall hammer frag. I am also going to hit Reef Monster and possibly Sun Valley Marine. Thanks for the comments.

 

[MurphysLaw]

Oh yea I forgot to mention Reef Culture was disappointing in the coral department but had a nice fish selection. And in their Reef display tank they have 3 HUGE fathead sunburst Anthias that convinced me on getting one for my tank. They are awesome. I assumed they weren't for sale so I didn't even ask but I am looking for a younger smaller one anyway.

 

[Mael]

yah there is a lot in that display tank on the left when you walk in that isnt for sale, I got a little $5 neon candy cane from them. Their fish selection is pretty nice tho, forget how their pricing is.

Not sure if you hit Discount in your trip but i think Chris and Shane just got a shipment of fish and coral in last week.

 

[LivingStrong08]

Your Fathead Anthia is in DD today...for now.

 

[Dangerwill]

Wade im just checking this now, i wish i would have seen it earlier i would have caught up with you. I love reef store tours

 

[vincent92]

Aquarius is a definite!

 

[dburt520]

I've only been frequenting the LFS' s for a few months now and Reef Culture has taken a big turn down just in that time. When I first walked in 3 months ago I was extremely impressed, was just there recently and didn't care for what I saw.

We are fortunate here to have a few quality LFS' s though, a few to pick from based on what you're looking for. It seems everytime I step into a new one I am more and more impressed.

 

[MurphysLaw]

Wade im just checking this now, i wish i would have seen it earlier i would have caught up with you. I love reef store tours

I almost called you too... Fail, I will definitely let you know next time. On that note next time you are in town hit me up and come by check out the frags you gave me. Near Swan/Speedway.

Aquarius is a definite!

For SPS frags Aquarius had some super awesome pieces.

Your Fathead Anthia is in DD today...for now.

I can't believe I missed this...EpicFail. I have been keeping a close eye on DD the last couple weeks waiting for one too. I must have missed it while I was trying to get home from PHX. Oh well the wait continues. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[MurphysLaw]

Your Fathead Anthia is in DD today...for now.

Missed that one yesterday but got the one today!! This is my first time ordering from them at all. I hope it goes well.

 

[Sammykonga]

Awesome! Glad you found your fish

 

[LivingStrong08]

+1 for Aquarius - Customer service is not matched anywhere else...plus pricing is always awesome.

Glad you ordered one today!!! I check DD everyday - have a few fish from them. Always excellent quality and packing. If I am ordering fish online I probably won't go anywhere else then DD.