new to the area need lfs suggestions
- Thread starter hottuna
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Shnabbles
New member
i think there is one in rehobeth.... but the 4-5 stores in delaware i cant recommend very highly.. live stock usually has the plague or something close to it... and corals 9 times out of 10 are dead, dieing, or melting...
If you drive into salisbary maryland you can go to Dr.Macs a totally awsome facility where they grow and propogate their own corals... they also have a really nice website.
Other then that your looking at a pretty good drive for a nice fishstore that is trust worthy.
You have ECA just south of philly, you have Exotic Aquatics in Towson maryland, and that fish place in lancaster.
Some of the local stores will have a decent looking coral or 2 but they are priced very high..
If you just want to go to a fish store, the fish bowl in dover is worth a good laugh... they keep anenomes and everything under no lights at all.... their corals die within days and they leave the skeletons in the tank and im pretty sure they'd sell you one as a live coral lol...
Just fish is in Bear they recently keep a good size collection for corals and fish.... but the fish are diseased and the tanks are covered in some serious algae.
Same goes for Newark Tropics..
Dr. Macs probally isnt to bad of a drive from where you are id check them out Dr. Macs. They are probally the best around.
If you drive into salisbary maryland you can go to Dr.Macs a totally awsome facility where they grow and propogate their own corals... they also have a really nice website.
Other then that your looking at a pretty good drive for a nice fishstore that is trust worthy.
You have ECA just south of philly, you have Exotic Aquatics in Towson maryland, and that fish place in lancaster.
Some of the local stores will have a decent looking coral or 2 but they are priced very high..
If you just want to go to a fish store, the fish bowl in dover is worth a good laugh... they keep anenomes and everything under no lights at all.... their corals die within days and they leave the skeletons in the tank and im pretty sure they'd sell you one as a live coral lol...
Just fish is in Bear they recently keep a good size collection for corals and fish.... but the fish are diseased and the tanks are covered in some serious algae.
Same goes for Newark Tropics..
Dr. Macs probally isnt to bad of a drive from where you are id check them out Dr. Macs. They are probally the best around.
minethief
New member
There's a new store called Fishmans in Lewes, DE. It's not the only one in DE, and I'm sure a few others will chime in about them. It's about 20 min south of you, 1 block off of Rt.1. Itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s behind the new Wawa gas station they're building. I'm not an expert on reefs, but I've been in a few times 'cause my uncle lives >1 mile from there. Their sales people aren't as knowledgeable as I need, and it's a bit pricey. Just though you should know it's there. I'm not necessarily recommending them. If you know exactly what you need, and youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re willing to pay more for it, itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s your new favorite fish store.
minethief
New member
We also have a small store in Dover called The Fish Bowl. I've dealt with them more, but only with my fresh water tanks. They have more salt water stuff every time I go in there. They are feeding my desire to move into a reef tank. They are nice people, and I'll go to them with most questions. I love to support the small businesses in my community, and this one gets plenty of it.
Shnabbles
New member
Minethief you might want to be alittle wiery of what they tell you... Their tanks are in horrible condition, fish are unhealthy and any live stock they have is low in quality... Take a drive to one of the 3-4 other major fish stores... it will be alteast an hour drive but well worth it, and it will send your desire for a reef tank into hyper drive..
Most local stores are out for your money and dont care if you buy a dieing fish or not, because when it dies they know you will be back to buy another fish.
Most local stores are out for your money and dont care if you buy a dieing fish or not, because when it dies they know you will be back to buy another fish.
minethief
New member
Knew that was coming....You're right; but I still like them. Beats going down the street to PetSmart! They must do something right. I've got a few friends who buy fish from them all the time, and no matter how much they ignore there tanks, (and they do) they won't die! I end up cleaning most of there tanks, as they live here on the Air Force Base with me. I've had to take fish back to them, 'cause they out grew the tanks they were in.
You're definitely right about no lights, though.....
You're definitely right about no lights, though.....
another question....i would like to gauge interest and see if there would be any support for me opening a new reef/saltwater /fershwater aquarium store in the area...I worked for 4-5 stores over the last 20 yrs...did tank maintenance in the 80's and would be willing to open something here in milford/dover/lewes.....i also have all the wholesale connections out in cali and the backing of one of ny's biggest stores....
what do you all say ?????????????????
what do you all say ?????????????????
Shnabbles
New member
the area definetly needs a good store.. i feel bad for the people who ever ONLY go to the fish bowl and actually listen to what those people say......
Just give your customers and keep healthy tanks and your business could be the best around.. lord knows there isnt much competition.
Dr. Macs also allows people to set up whole sale accounts, and they just hooked up with a pretty nice coral farm in the Solomn Islands.
Just give your customers and keep healthy tanks and your business could be the best around.. lord knows there isnt much competition.
Dr. Macs also allows people to set up whole sale accounts, and they just hooked up with a pretty nice coral farm in the Solomn Islands.
kaptken
New member
Thats what i like to hear. someone willing to put their money where their mouth is. I'm in New Castle county , so i don't ever shop down there. but from all the posts i've seen on RC , there is definitely a shortage of saltwater fish/coral stores in central/south Delaware. Let alone stores that most poster would agree are good.
the building boom is down there. the population is growing and so is the hobby. I say , since you have the background and contacts, go for it . It sounds like you have been thinking about opening a store for a long time. I'm sure a well thought out and stocked place would be appreciated. MY gruntle is i can never seem to find all i need in one place. I guess because carrying inventory is expensive these days.
Oh!! and our electric rates just went way up. give a lot of thought to just how many tanks you need and the most efficient lighting.
but i will say this. if you do open one. I will make the trip for opening week. I'll just have to see it.
Best of luck.
the building boom is down there. the population is growing and so is the hobby. I say , since you have the background and contacts, go for it . It sounds like you have been thinking about opening a store for a long time. I'm sure a well thought out and stocked place would be appreciated. MY gruntle is i can never seem to find all i need in one place. I guess because carrying inventory is expensive these days.
Oh!! and our electric rates just went way up. give a lot of thought to just how many tanks you need and the most efficient lighting.
but i will say this. if you do open one. I will make the trip for opening week. I'll just have to see it.
Best of luck.
bloopbloop
New member
minethief, welcome to Delaware and RC!
bloopbloop
New member
"Weââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll see how much money I can sink into it!!!!"
Bajillions, I predict.
Bajillions, I predict.
Shnabbles
New member
minethief just ask the people on RC for advice about a purchase before going to the horrible fish bowl for advice lol.... as you can tell im not to fond of them..... But they will give you bad advice and theif fish really arent that healthy..
If your ever really bored and want to check out one of the bigger, better stores it is definently worth the drive, and you will see why i feel so negative about the fish bowl just by looking at these other places.
If your ever really bored and want to check out one of the bigger, better stores it is definently worth the drive, and you will see why i feel so negative about the fish bowl just by looking at these other places.
i am definetely gonna visit this "fish bowl" place first.....but yesterday i went to the ultimate joke - Walmart on 113 in milford has about 10 fresh water tanks.....
reminds me of when FW Woolworth in new york used to sell freshwater....
i could do a much beter job than that !!
reminds me of when FW Woolworth in new york used to sell freshwater....
i could do a much beter job than that !!
