I saw Miller's Reef in Bloomsburg mentioned on here and was wondering if people would recommend it as a good reef store. I live in State College and am fairly new to the area, and am looking for any good reef stores within an hour and a half or so. Any recommendations would be much appreciated. TIA
Miller's Reef info
- Thread starter jdiver
- Start date
shimmy_yaz
Platinum Member
I will not do any business with them. When I first was looking at setting up my current tank I went there looking to purchase a 75 gallon tank and stand. It took me a little while to get some help and then when I finally did they gave me a price and walked away. As I got their attention again and was trying to ask a few questions the phone rang. Well I know it is a business and they have to respond to business calls but I refuse to stand there while he tries to figure out what bar him and his buddy on the phone are going to go out to that night. I promptly walked out of the store and have not been back nor do I intend to ever stop back in. If I am not worthy as a customer to get the courtesy of being waited upon then they are not worthy of my money either.
Sanjay
Premium Member
Re: Miller's Reef info
Miller's reef is not a bad store. Its definately worth the drive, especially after they have had some shipments in. Its been quite bare over the summer. I don't make special trips out there, but make a detour to go there if I am close by.
Thier fish are usually very healthy, coral selection is hit or miss depending on what you are looking for.
Customer service to me was not as bad as the above poster mentioned.
Prices are resonable.
In SC the choice is quite limited. Wild Side pets and Petco are the only 2 places to find anything. Wild side pets is who I deal with the most and I usually get them to special order me stuff I want. The stuff they get in on thier California order is usually quite good.
sanjay.
Miller's reef is not a bad store. Its definately worth the drive, especially after they have had some shipments in. Its been quite bare over the summer. I don't make special trips out there, but make a detour to go there if I am close by.
Thier fish are usually very healthy, coral selection is hit or miss depending on what you are looking for.
Customer service to me was not as bad as the above poster mentioned.
Prices are resonable.
In SC the choice is quite limited. Wild Side pets and Petco are the only 2 places to find anything. Wild side pets is who I deal with the most and I usually get them to special order me stuff I want. The stuff they get in on thier California order is usually quite good.
sanjay.
For big stuff, and dry goods, if you want the best prices, then driving to Lancaster to That Fish Place/That Pet Place is worth it once in a while. Their prices will be lower than smaller places. Petco doesn't ever have much in terms of marine equipment; Wild Side will order equipment but I usually just buy via mail order. I have had mixed luck with fish from all of these (TFP>Petco>Wild Side in my experience), but corals I've gotten at TFP have been fine. Other people I know would never buy another fish from TFP. I suspect that all of them are hit and miss with that regard. Petco and Wild Side won't give you any fish warranty, though. I've done mail order fish more often than anything else, probably.
Thanks for all the info. I used to live within an hour of the Hidden Reef in NE Philly and the Frazer Zoo in Frazer, PA, both excellent reef stores (top notch corals at the Frazer Zoo in particular), so I got spoiled and miss having good reef stores within a reasonable driving distance.
Has anyone ever been to Elmer's Aquarium (http://www.elmersaquarium.com/) in Monroeville?
Has anyone ever been to Elmer's Aquarium (http://www.elmersaquarium.com/) in Monroeville?
rickyfins
New member
Elmers is a good LFS, they are hit and miss most of the time on an abundance of stock. This is due to their high turnover. They do have a variety of corals in stock all the time. But I am so selective that I have to shop around. The good thing about the trip to Elmers is that there are 2 other shops within 3 miles. Petland and Pet Supplies Plus are really close and also carry lots of SW fish and corals.
thanks,
Rick
thanks,
Rick
Rick - I found the websites for all the stores you mentioned, so with Google Maps I should be good to go. Thanks!
Carl - I've never been to Fins Feathers Paws and Claws. The next time I get down to that area though maybe I'll try to visit. The Frazer Zoo was far and away my LFS of choice when I lived down that way.
Carl - I've never been to Fins Feathers Paws and Claws. The next time I get down to that area though maybe I'll try to visit. The Frazer Zoo was far and away my LFS of choice when I lived down that way.
rickyfins
New member
Great to hear. Let me know if you find anything nice, its been a week or two since I have been over to check them out. I will be making the trip tommorrow though, so it would be nice to have the heads up on their stock, that is if you go soon. If not I will let you know if I have a chance to stop.
thanks,
Rick
thanks,
Rick
Hey in Mechanicsburg there is a good lfs with not a ton of stuff but what she does have is usually very healthy and some rare stuff. Like mystery wrasses, black tang, blue spotted jawfish, and yellow scopas's. Chris (owner) is very friendly and helpful.
The store is Treasures from the Sea and www.treasuresfromthesea.org has address and phone # on it.
The store is Treasures from the Sea and www.treasuresfromthesea.org has address and phone # on it.
dragonfly72
New member
I have known the guys from Miller's reef when they were working for other LFS before they opened their own store. They are great guys and they have alot of knowledge. They won't steer you wrong. They are trying to make a go of their store. They don't get new shipments every week but they get them as often as they can. They just got stuff in last week again. Their corals and fish are great quality and well cared for. If you are driving a distance to get to them call first and ask when Chad (the owner) will be working, he will take great care of you.
I used to work in Bloomsburg and as such visited Miller's Reef quite often. Both Chad and Scott (owner/operators) are very knowledgeable and to my experience both approachable and helpful. In all my trips to that store I never walked away without learning something, and getting a laugh to boot. The quality of their fish is exceptional. They would not sell you anything they would not buy and put in their own systems. All of my experiences have been pleasant ones but I'm not one who needs as much cottling as some.
shimmy_yaz
Platinum Member
"but I'm not one who needs as much cottling as some."
This had better not be directed at me or you have one hell of a debate to look forward to.
This had better not be directed at me or you have one hell of a debate to look forward to.
