local suppliers???

[byronsands]

As I have mentioned, we are just getting back into the hobby and are new to this area...

Our supplier of choice has always been MD. Who are the local LFS guys in rank order that are the best? Or should we just stay with national I'net guys as we plan our new setup?

we have zero knowlege of any LFS... we would consider anyone within 150mi radius as LFS since we are in the sticks with nothing within 10mi

 

[Thinker1920]

I'm new myself but I've heard that ABC reef in Syracuse is supposed to be really good, then in the Binghamton area there's Creature Comforts, Livingston’s Animal Kingdom, and Natures Best Fish on route 26. Nature's Best Fish does 50% off sales on all living things on months with 31 days on the 31st. and I think they do 20% off food and other equipment too when they have their 31st day sales. Livingston's has given me store credit in the past for freshwater fish, when they would grow too large for my tank and sometimes you can negotiate price if you buy a good amount, depending on who's working.

Hope this is helpful

 

[reefjunkie42]

abc reefs, (cuse), axe exotics(cuse,more reptiles but worth checking out if your in the neighborhood)...Local for livestock in this order, Natures best fish, Livingston Kingdom(given you take it in bag) creature comforts(dismal stock since the "upgraded" SW system) IMHO that SW room BEFORE they changed it made me want to keep SW. Not so much now, as most looks dead or sick or both. For anything useful in this hobby in this day and age you are better (drygood wise) off looking online, Premium aquatics gets ground shipping here in2-3 days. Most stores around here dont carry premium drygoods. Id reccomend going to ABC reefs and looking there if your bent on local drygoods. Also they have reefcrystals for 40 bucks a bucket. you cant beat that. So does Natures best but you have to order with money down and pick up later. Cash only i think cant remeber.HTH

 

[truebeliever71]

IMO... the only true place is ABC in Syracuse... but locally we have Nature's Best in Vestal, Petco has some nice SW specimens from time to time as well as try goods. I don't care for Livingston's because the owner has told me personally that he doesn't care to learn anything about the livestock he gets in. He tried selling me a nudibranch (that only dines on poisonous sponges) as an algae eater. I researched it, printed a fact sheet and he refused to take it. And I had a pretty similar experience with Creature Comforts.

 

[reefjunkie42]

I agree. I would never ask for help at any LFS around here. they simply dont know. Natures best is the only guy who knows what hes talkin about. kinda

 

[byronsands]

thanks...

sounds like I should roll up to Syracuse and check them out.

 

[Dave VG]

ABC is very good advice. If you know what you want either live stock or dry goods call ahead and see if they have it in stock. If they don't they will order it for you. Keep in mind that they are a serious LFS/reef shop and they quarantine there live stock so if you order live stuff it maybe weeks before they are ready to come home with you.

 

[thepircs]

Fellow Buena grad,

The only place to go in the area is ABC is Syracuse. Otherwise it is online or a road trip to Rochester or Something Fishy down in Northampton PA - http://www.toofishy.com/home.php

Dave

 

[childofgod]

I also agree. ABC is is the best place to go. Nature is good for fish but he also think you should not do water changes.

 

[daveverdo]

It depends on where you are in NE PA. You may be closer to places in Jersey or SE PA (e.g. Somehting Fishy as Dave Pirc suggested).

Dave

 

[getzvillereefer]

Rumor around the Buffalo area is that there will be a shop opening up in Canadagua next month some time. Salt and Dog or the Salty Dog or something like that. Supposed to be pretty solid... Other than that rumor I'd say if its not too far, consider Buffalo. As I moved here a little bit ago, I've had a chance to check around, there are some pretty solid shops here... I'll keep you posted if I hear more on the shop opening up...

 

[windyridge]

+1 on ABC Reefs. We have bought a lot of livestock, coral and equipment from them. From the owners to the staff, they are knowledgeable but still do your compatibility homework as they did sell us a tang for 39 gal tank before we knew better. Also, they don't quarantine to my knowledge. We recently bought an algae blennie that arrived on Thursday which we picked up on Sunday. I don't see how they can realistically quarantine from a logistics standpoint. When they get shipments in they are pretty big and they don't have unlimited tanks for various groups of fish to be in Q. Other than that, they have an amazingly fantastic selection of fish and corals and recently added a whole new fresh water section. The area it is in is not the best, so lock your car. :-0