My review of Central NY's best reef shop...

nwrogers

nwrogers

Got gorgs?
Well I finally had an opportunity to stop into ABC Reefs and I must say I was very impressed. The first thing I noticed when I walked in was a very cool little display tank with a todd's torch as the center piece and some very nice pieces of coral. After talking with Tim for a bit I checked out the nice fish selection they had. I must say I was very impressed with the selection of fish they had. Many fish stores I have been to have no idea what kinds of fish reef keeping hobbyists are into to but it was clear from the moment I saw the fish they had for sale that these guys have done their research. After admiring the fish selection I headed over to the coral tanks and I must say I found the selection here to be really nice as well. It's clear that the guys at ABC Reefs aren't just business guys but hobbyist because they had every fish, invert, and coral that I have been looking for. A few of the prices on the corals seemed a little high (for the high end LPS stuff) but I would say 90% or more was as good as internet prices and in some cases even lower!! (FWIW the fact that they had the same prices as live aquaria on most of their stuff makes them half the price as any of the local places or the shops I went to in Rochester!) The guys there were super friendly and it is such a relief to talk to someone you know isn't just trying to just sell you something but actually knows their livestock and tells the truth on important things such as husbandry and system requirements. If they couldn't answer a question rather than hand me some BS line they actually looked it up (I don't always ask the easiest questions, no one can be expected to know everything). The thing that I was most impressed about was how clean their fish were. There were no signs of ick on any of the fish and they all looked super healthy. I picked up a beautiful longnose hawkfish and he is doing great in my tank and no signs of any health problems so far. I also picked up one of these beauties and it is quickly becoming on of my favorite inverts"¦

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+501+1146&pcatid=1146

So long story short ABC Reefs is as nice as any of the other shops in Upstate NY and is by far Central NY's best reef shop!! I would recommend before buying online check out what they have. Their prices and selection make it well worth the drive :thumbsup:

(Disclaimer: Incase you are wondering I don't get any kickbacks for saying anything I said above. I am in no way associated with ABC Reefs and this was the first time I had ever been there. I was just so impressed that a place only one hour away was as nice as it is I just wanted to let everyone know if they haven't been than they should go (and don't forget to bring some sweet moolah)!)
 
Ditto what Nate said! I have been there 3 times now. I go up about every other weekend. Great prices and even better service. They will work with you on prices. Especially the more you buy.

Whats real funny Nate is I bought 2 of them last weekend. They are so cool. True story here. One of these guys got stuck with his shell in my rock. Don't know how long he had been there. So I reached in and unstuck the coral shell. I looked at it and there was no crab in the shell :(.
Well I left the shell in the tank and was sad thinking I had my first casualty. Well the funny thing is I had put in about 10 old shells just for looks or whatever, he actually took over one! So a day later I placed his coral shell next to him on the sand bed, happy to say he has moved back to his original shell! How awesome is that!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15524977#post15524977 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Neoz
Ditto what Nate said! I have been there 3 times now. I go up about every other weekend. Great prices and even better service. They will work with you on prices. Especially the more you buy.

Whats real funny Nate is I bought 2 of them last weekend. They are so cool. True story here. One of these guys got stuck with his shell in my rock. Don't know how long he had been there. So I reached in and unstuck the coral shell. I looked at it and there was no crab in the shell :(.
Well I left the shell in the tank and was sad thinking I had my first casualty. Well the funny thing is I had put in about 10 old shells just for looks or whatever, he actually took over one! So a day later I placed his coral shell next to him on the sand bed, happy to say he has moved back to his original shell! How awesome is that!
Click to expand...

Very cool!!
 
For and by reefers. I swear Jeremy has a PhD in corals. Tim enjoys a challenge. Ask him to find something and he'll get it, no matter how long it takes. AND at the end of the rainbow, he won't soak you on the price because it was hard to find. He actually likes it. Dave never lets you enter the store without greeting you, NO MATTER how busy they are. AND, he never lets you leave with out a sincere thank you.

I am truly spoiled to have them so close and to be able to call them friends. I pay the same prices as everyone else too, so no solicited kick backs here either.
 
cully I'd hate to be you. what are you like 2 miles down the road? it's a good thing I work 12 hour nights or I'm sure I'd be there more. actually plan on a trip tomorrow
 
I love ABC Reefs! I've only had the opportunity to make it up there once, but for a newer shop in the area, they are blowing the competition away. I couldn't believe how nice all thier tanks looked. They must clean the glass almost every day, because I didn't even notice any fingerprints or smudges on the glass at all. And, in the fish and coral tanks, there was no signs of algae or anything. Usually, the tanks to sell fish have cyano or diatoms, but at ABC it is nothing but pristine waters. I do love this store, but I'm not sure if I can call it the best, when Randy's store in Buffalo (A Reef Creation) is so amazing. But having said that, I'd much rather travel 1.75 hrs to ABC than 3+ hrs to ARC.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15527816#post15527816 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefscape15
I love ABC Reefs! I've only had the opportunity to make it up there once, but for a newer shop in the area, they are blowing the competition away. I couldn't believe how nice all thier tanks looked. They must clean the glass almost every day, because I didn't even notice any fingerprints or smudges on the glass at all. And, in the fish and coral tanks, there was no signs of algae or anything. Usually, the tanks to sell fish have cyano or diatoms, but at ABC it is nothing but pristine waters. I do love this store, but I'm not sure if I can call it the best, when Randy's store in Buffalo (A Reef Creation) is so amazing. But having said that, I'd much rather travel 1.75 hrs to ABC than 3+ hrs to ARC.
Click to expand...

A Reef Creation, The reef shoppe, and Caribbean forest are not technically in Central NY IMO. All four are are amazing reef shops and each has it pluses but the shops in Rochester and Buffalo are too far away to justify driving to when you can get really nice livestock online. However ABC Reefs is close enough that I can justify the gas and time it takes to drive there. I agree A Reef Creation is amazing, especially their big LPS display tank! It almost makes me like LPS corals!! :p For the $35 dollars in shipping at an online store I can drive to ABC Reefs and get to see everything before I buy it. Also I would be willing to bet I would get more for my money there...
 
ABC Reef's IMO is by far the best saltwater fish shop in CNY. Going from nothing to ABC Reef's has impacted the local saltwater interest in the area greatly. I'm happy and proud to say i shop there about once a week....lol!
 
Took a trip up there tonight. Picked up some more CUC. For some reason I always end up leaveing with more then I intended :). Great store and well worth the trip.

Cully I really have to hook up with you ahead of time so when I go up there I can see your tank.
 
Anytime Neoz.

It's been a few weeks since I've been in. The place looks great. FO tanks are spotless and crystal clear. Jeremy has created a nice mix in the coral sales tanks. And, although I didn't ask, it looks like the display 180 reef is getting primed for an overhaul. I expect it'll be dazzling.
 
Display tank is definately gonna be overhauled Cully. We plan on doing something really unique with it. Thanks for the kind words everyone. We'll always help you guys out in anyway we can :)
 
Jeremy I plan on coming out that way Friday late afternoon. Spoke with Tim about setting me aside some goodies. See you tomorrow...
 
Well, I made the trip up from Owego last weekend and I was not disappointed. Vary reef oriented. I drove away with several small corals and a really nice Anthias trio I've been looking for. Thanks Guys.

Here are a few shots for your viewing pleasure.

Coral1.jpg


Coral2.jpg


Coral3.jpg


Fish1.jpg


Fish3.jpg
 
Very nice stuff! I can't wait to make it back up there. I was planning a trip out there this evening, but I told my friend i'd help with a sump build. At least it's still something reefish!
 
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