Unhappy with West LA LFS - Medusa and The Aquarium

[bromion]

I usually get plumbing stuff from OSH, but it's a frustrating experience sometimes. They don't have everything, and the employees are generally clueless. If you want actual help from someone working there, I suggest B&B Hardware on Washington & Centinela (just west of Centinela). It's a scary looking place, but they seem to have better customer service.

Surprisingly, the Home Depot on Jefferson in Marina Del Rey has a worse selection of plumbing parts than OSH.

 

[Mcain Bwood]

I find that hardware is best bought online or on these forums since price tags are tripled up at lfs's. they really try and screw people who come in not knowing very much. Best coral places are the Aquarium center and marks in the valleys on tuesdays and saturdays for me hands down.

 

[WayneL333]

Let me tell you guys, the best place hands down for pvc plumbing is Aquaflow (might be Aquaflo). I think a lot of landscapers go there for sprinkler systems and parts. There is a location in Culver City and one in Torrance I think. I personally think the ball valves and unions they sell at Home Depot and OSH are junk. They'll start leaking soon after you use them a few times.

The Culver City location is on the south side of Jefferson blvd, just east of the 405. If you hit Sepulveda, you've gone too far. The place has every single type of elbow, plug, ball valve, etc. that you would be looking for. The carry both schedule 40 & 80, and I think all Spears parts, which I think is the best quality PVC parts maker (especially when it comes to ball valves, but you pay the price). They also carry flex tube PVC and PVC threaded flex tube.

HTH.

 

[socalchris]

Thanks for the plumbing recommendations guys...much appreciated. I'll be sure to check out that Aquaflo place Wayne.

As for Reef Hot Spot, I bought some mushrooms from them once. I stop by now and then because they're literally down the street from me. I've had no problems at all. Max was very helpful and all of their livestock looked great when I went. Max even gave me a discount once when I mentioned their sale here on RC. RHS actually has the healthiest looking tanks/livestock that I've seen of any of the local LFS.

 

[Mcain Bwood]

just got back from nature aquarium on yale and smb. great for freshwater and the owner seemed like a good guy. I would recomend it.

The display reef had maybe 2 or 3 purchaseable pieces nothing too special. I just dont get why i havnt seen an lfs who can build themselves a great reef display tank which can not only sustain life but make it thrive. Is it really that hard?

 

[bromion]

Mcain Bwood: check out Santa Monica aquarium on SMB and Federal. They have NICE displays! Their softie reef is remarkable.

Wayne: thanks for the info on the plumbing place. Too bad my plumbing is basically done! Good for future reference.

 

[Fuegan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9177804#post9177804 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mcain Bwood

The display reef had maybe 2 or 3 purchaseable pieces nothing too special. I just dont get why i havnt seen an lfs who can build themselves a great reef display tank which can not only sustain life but make it thrive. Is it really that hard?

I think its the fact that the systems are not old enough and get rushed to hold livestock that needs an older more established system.

 

[ReefHotSpot]

Everything dead and dying at ReefHotSpot. . .hmmm. . .low post numbers. . .hmm. . .never had anything die your tank. . .hmm. . .recommend a direct online competitor not on the west side. . .hmm. . .start off the post with "just in my humble opinion" and then make factual claims about everything being dead. . .huh?

We work very hard to do the best for our animals. Like any shop or hobbyist, we do have losses but our systems are well above standard and each animal is treated with care.

I think that is the most I can say without advertising and I appreciate this forum for what it is. That said, when I walk ten paces outside my office and can see happy animals, well, in my humble opinion, I'm pretty unsketched. If anyone ever feels like something isn't right in our warehouse, bring it to my attention.

BTW, I'm hearing a lot of great stuff about stores opening on the west side. Someone came in today and said that a store opened on Yale and Santa Monica. They said there was a banner outside that said grand opening. Haven't been there but new fish stores need to be supported if westsiders are to have a good selection to pick from.

Regards,
Max

 

[Fuegan]

Yale and Santa Monica is Nature Aquarium.

Real nice fella.
Helped me a lot with some stuff I wanted for a spray bar setup for my nano.

 

[organix]

Have been to all the West Side shops and many others around LA county (including ATA, which is for another post) and Reef Hot Spot is a world class operation. We are so fortunate to have professionals who love this and are as addicted to it as we are in our backyard. Apex and the Aquarium both are very hit or miss with attitudes, Aquatic Outlet is beyond repair, Medusa is great but a bit pricey. Be thankful we have RHS and not more places like Aquatic Outlet and ATA.

 

[Mcain Bwood]

I havnt been to RHS yet but i like it already. They got Back