My LFS

[dicjones]

Went to my local fish store(aquatic enviroments in davenport, Iowa) on saturday and picked up a coralife super skimmer. They were way overpriced, compared to Drs. Foster and Smith...but who isn't? I showed them the print out I made of the price from the web and they knocked 40 dollars off their price. They were still above Drs. F&S by 11 dollars but I would rather give my money to them...so I did.

As a side note they had just gotten some new fish in and they had a few of the tangs from the reef central home banner, including one in their 220 gallon reef display that was about 9 inches in length. The smaller ones were for sale in the other tanks.

They also had a clam in that same display tank that was about the size of a football..never seen one in a tank that big before. Don't know my clams well, but it was blue.

Nothing beats a LFS!!!!I could spend hours there!!!!

 

[richardf]

I spend about an hour to an hour and a half everytime I set foot in there! I would have to say nothing beats a LFS when looking for livestock, but for drygoods online is much better IMO.

 

[TWallace]

I guess you guys are lucky, there don't seem to be many good LFS in my area (north Seattle). The ones I've been to generally have a very small (and/or very overpriced) saltwater section, often with sickly (or dead) looking fish. One store was selling a (dead) flame hawkfish for $99.99. In my book, a flame hawk is a $40-50 fish. The same store was also selling gold stripe maroon clowns for $75. They were standard size, around 2", too.

I've resorted to ordering my livestock online (will arrive this Saturday) from LiveAquaria. Much better prices than LFS and right now they're offering free shipping on orders above $225. Incidentally, I am getting a flame hawk through them for a mere $29.99. Plus they offer a 14 day stay alive guarantee, something I've never seen in a LFS. Most LFS offer no guarantee at all, even if the fish dies in the bag on the way out to your car.

Anyone know of a good LFS in the north Seattle area? The only nearby ones I've seen are Pet-Pourri in Everett (decent prices but tiny selection), Denny's Pet World in Kirkland (so-so selection, decent prices) and one in the U-District which was way overpriced (the one mentioned above).

 

[dicjones]

I have to agree with Richard. When I was originally setting up my tank I went in to my LFS with a list of items I thought I would need . I was so excited to be finally getting started on my new hobby. Needless to say I was so discouraged after leaving. There was no way I could afford to start a marine tank. I felt much better though once I checked out the online prices.

I just prefer to give my money to the smaller guy, especially if he is willing to drop 40 bucks off of his sticker price. Besides I always felt a little guilty about not buying from them originally.

Live aquaria is a good place to get livestock from. i have used them on a couple occasions. I do seem to have better overall success with the LFS. I blame Fed Ex for any problems with Live Aquaria though. Live Aquaria gaurentees delivery by 3 P.M. FedEx always shows up about 2:55. In the middle of summer or dead of winter, that is a lot of stress on a fish.