Reef gallery grand opening...

[MondoBongo]

They do have frozen food there. I bought some LRS Reef Frenzy. They had flat packs of PE Myses and a few other options as well.

 

[acer]

vlangel - ok, Very good- I will be bringing a cooler anyhow. What I have been feeding is Frozen brine, some frozen Rotifers, and a bit of liquid phyto and zooplankton. I make up a weeks work and put it in separate small Tupperware type containers for each day in the fridge. OK - so I will get up to the shop to get some frozen brine then. I should have bought more before seahorse closed. Imeant to get up there about 100 times and just couldn't get there or forgot each time.

 

[vlangel]

vlangel - ok, Very good- I will be bringing a cooler anyhow. What I have been feeding is Frozen brine, some frozen Rotifers, and a bit of liquid phyto and zooplankton. I make up a weeks work and put it in separate small Tupperware type containers for each day in the fridge. OK - so I will get up to the shop to get some frozen brine then. I should have bought more before seahorse closed. Imeant to get up there about 100 times and just couldn't get there or forgot each time.

Surprisingly, even the PetCo at NorthTowne Square has some frozen food, although they don't hardly have anything else saltwater. The cooler is against the wall at the end of their display tanks.

 

[acer]

ahhh - thats much closer to me. Thanks

 

[Clam guy]

Wow I wish they would have opened this place a long time ago. Its about time we have a real saltwater store in the Pittsburgh area.

 

[krshlln300]

Yeah this place is growing quick and has a great selection!

 

[krshlln300]

For those in the south, saltwater sanctuary is also a decent place. Nice to see more options for either north or south.

 

[BeanAnimal]

We do have "real" saltwater stores and numerous "real" saltwater stores that have come and gone. Currently Elmer's and Aquaworld have extensive SW selections and are club sponsors. Wet Pets and Seahorse and Saltwater Sanctuary (not sponsors) have extensive SW selections.

Many stores have come and gone for one reason or another. Dave's Aquastock was SW only (Dave and his wife moved to Fiji for 3 years). Under The Sea (Cranberry) closed a few years back, Blane's sea farm, closed several years ago. Calfo recently had a store that is, at least for now closed. Several other stores have had big SW sections, like Burton's. Atlantas is long gone but was SW only. Not sure if Slippery Rock is still around.

Anyway... we have and have had plenty of SW store to choose from in the area.

 

[vlangel]

The Seahorse is closed now. With a Petco and another chain store moving next door to it, online competition and an aging building and plumbing she was forced to close the family buisness of 40 years.

 

[Clam guy]

We do have "real" saltwater stores and numerous "real" saltwater stores that have come and gone. Currently Elmer's and Aquaworld have extensive SW selections and are club sponsors. Wet Pets and Seahorse and Saltwater Sanctuary (not sponsors) have extensive SW selections.

Many stores have come and gone for one reason or another. Dave's Aquastock was SW only (Dave and his wife moved to Fiji for 3 years). Under The Sea (Cranberry) closed a few years back, Blane's sea farm, closed several years ago. Calfo recently had a store that is, at least for now closed. Several other stores have had big SW sections, like Burton's. Atlantas is long gone but was SW only. Not sure if Slippery Rock is still around.

Anyway... we have and have had plenty of SW store to choose from in the area.

I know there are other places in pittsburgh that sell saltwater, but its nice to see one that is dedicated to saltwater. As far as the other stores you mentioned, yes they have saltwater but i definitely wouldn't call their selection extensive. Half dead and bleached out maybe.

 

[beachguy]

CLAM GUY

Interesting...After taking a look at your previous thread here on RC dated 9/27/14 perhaps you should focus more on your storefront than on bashing the other local fish shops in the area.

I don't know too many local hobbyist looking to purchase two 8x4 Miracles Aquarium frag tanks with center overflows that just so happen to be the exact same size, specs, and manufacture that The Reef Gallery currently has in their shop for coral tanks.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2445703

http://www.thereefgallery.com/store-info/

Quite the coincidence, wouldn't you say for someone coming on here saying the Reef Gallery is the best store ever?

I live in St Clairsville, Ohio, and already frequent other local shops, so I will never make it that far north but it looks like a fancy place with a lot of overhead. I hope you have a solid business plan.

As BeanAnimal stated there are plenty of shops that sell saltwater fish and corals in the Pittsburgh area. Some are better than others. Just because your shop is selling high end corals and has a fancy storefront and fixtures doesn't make it better than Elmer's, Wet Pets, any of the other local stores, etc. I've been doing this hobby for 40+ years now and have seen shops like yours come and go.

There is a reason why certain stores survive and others don't. I know the reasons why but I'll let you figure them out yourself since you are the expert apparently.

I wish you good luck in your new endeavor you are certainly going to need it.:facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:

-Ralph

 

[BeanAnimal]

The Seahorse is closed now. With a Petco and another chain store moving next door to it, online competition and an aging building and plumbing she was forced to close the family buisness of 40 years.

I was not a customer, but sorry to see it go. She stayed open after her father passed some years ago, more than most expected.

 

[BeanAnimal]

As far as the other stores you mentioned, yes they have saltwater but i definitely wouldn't call their selection extensive. Half dead and bleached out maybe.

That really is not a fair characterization of any of the stores mentioned.

I would hate to think that beechguy's assertion made above is true and instead you are simply offering your honest opinion as a local hobbyist.

On the other hand, if you are the owner or employee of the Reef Gallery store, then you have crossed several lines here and stand to alienate a fair portion of the tiny niche demographic that you must gain the trust of to stay in business.

 

[vlangel]

I was not a customer, but sorry to see it go. She stayed open after her father passed some years ago, more than most expected.

Yes, she was barely 19 years old when Lloyd died in 2007. Lloyd and her mom ran the store and after their divorce, her and Lloyd ran the store. Being a complete pet store there was a lot to it. She worked really really hard. I know because I worked there and the whole family were my very dear friends. It's sad but she is free to pursue a life now and I think that is more important.

 

[stscream4187]

Anyone else been out to Reef Gallery? I am starting up a tank after about a year off and want to go check it out as everyone seems to speak highly of it. It is about an hour away for me, are there any other stores in that area to check out? I am from North Huntingdon.

 

[krshlln300]

I can honestly say reef Gallery is turning into my go to place. I am in the north hills so it is very close for me but the owner is very nice, works with you and the price and quality are really good. They are still getting up to speed but for a small dedicated specialty place- it is really nice.

 

[zelie_dad]

I live in Zelienople, I guess my handle gives it away, but the owner has been really helpful , answering questions, and I know I'll buying my livestock from him when I'm ready. It's also a beautiful store, and it being so close to my house might be a problem for my wallet.

 

[stscream4187]

Great, thanks guys. Do they have a good selection of corals too?

 

[hybridazn]

Of the above posts are true about clam guy, I won't be taking my business to him. If hiso place is that great he won't need to come here and bash the other stores in the area.

 

[stscream4187]

I was there yesterday, very impressed with everything. Great selection of coral and good prices. Owner was very helpful. I'll definitely be back