Vivid Aquariums - Valley's Best Kept Secret?

[migston]

Totally by chance I happened upon the website for this LFS in Canoga Park and decided to go check them out. I must say I was totally impressed. The displays look amazing, their selection of livestock is great and the fish and corals all look healthy. Also they have this awesome surge system for their coral tank that sends a wave through every 3 minutes. I stood like an idiot watching it for a while yesterday. Hehe. The overall feel of the place is kinda like Jeff's Exotic fish but the best part is that it's 40 miles closer to where I live.

The customer service is great as well. Everyone that works there is knowledgable and helpful. They quarantine their fish. Their prices are good. I don't think I have a single complaint except fmaybe for the fact that thyey're not open everyday (this is mostly cause they're an internet store first and an LFS second).

So I'm wondering, why has this place never been talked about here? They are seriously the best LFS in the Valley imo. Tat's is impressive and all but they're kind of expensive and I would never put a fish from their store in my tank.

Anyways check it out if you're in the area.

http://www.vividaquariums.com/

 

[migston]

Re: Vivid Aquariums - Valley's Best Kept Secret?

Oops clicked reply when I meant to edit.

 

[FishyBiz]

I first thing I ever purchased for my tank was a cleanup crew from Vivid. I was totaly impressed and wish there store was closer to me.

 

[Texsun]

I'd assume they are pretty well known given the fact that they have their own forum here on RC.

I picked up a couple of fish from them a while back and they are all healthy. The surge tank is definitely cool.

 

[migston]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7647085#post7647085 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Texsun
I'd assume they are pretty well known given the fact that they have their own forum here on RC.

I picked up a couple of fish from them a while back and they are all healthy. The surge tank is definitely cool.

Oh, I didn't realize that LOL. It's just whenever I ehar about people talking about "destination" LFS in the SoCal area, I ehar about Jeff's, Tong's and Tat's. Never this place.

 

[noschmo]

I am not sure I agree with the statement that customer service was great. I went in a couple of weeks ago and wondered around for a good ten minutes before anyone bothered to acknowlegde my presence let alone offer to wait on me. The exception was a young man whose name I did not get, wears earings in both ears, who was very pleasant and helpful. Guy behind counter looked at me but just cold not bring himself to welcome or ask if I needed help. A girl behind the counter was the same with a bored look on her face. No doubt nice set up and livestock but the picture the web site paints emphazing service is different than what I felt other than the fellow mentioned above. I would go back and do business with him.

 

[migston]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7647195#post7647195 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by noschmo
I am not sure I agree with the statement that customer service was great. I went in a couple of weeks ago and wondered around for a good ten minutes before anyone bothered to acknowlegde my presence let alone offer to wait on me. The exception was a young man whose name I did not get, wears earings in both ears, who was very pleasant and helpful. Guy behind counter looked at me but just cold not bring himself to welcome or ask if I needed help. A girl behind the counter was the same with a bored look on her face. No doubt nice set up and livestock but the picture the web site paints emphazing service is different than what I felt other than the fellow mentioned above. I would go back and do business with him.

That would be Kyle. From what I can tell, he's the guy who handles all of the actual livestock/technical stuff while the others are management, cashiers and webmistress.

Personally I do like to be left alone for a little while to look over the livestock. I hate when someone asks if they can help me right when I walk in because I haven't even had a chance to see what's there and if it's healthy or not.

That said, I did get an offer to be helped within 2 minutes of being in the store. Maybe he was off cleaning the skimmer or something? LOL

 

[noschmo]

I also appreciate being left alone but again and even if the others aren't directly involved in sales, a welcome is good business!

 

[noschmo]

While we are on the subject of LFS and IMO, Tats in T.O is a great store but overpriced and I was never impressed with the service or lack thereof. I don't bother with the Ventura store. They always make me feel like I am checking the place out for a "5 fingered discount". I do think that Aquatic Village in Ventura is better than Tat's either location. Just my opinion.

 

[migston]

I get the same feeling at Tat's. Like they look at me and know that I realize their fish have ick or that their prices are too high. I like LFS where you can talk shop with the employees and they enjoy having customers that know what they're doing. At Tat's it seems like they want idiots who will kill lots of fish and bring them a lot of business as a result.

I dunno. Maybe I'm generalizing. Some employees at Tat's seem nice, but others seem to give me the evil eye for some reason.

 

[saltyESQ]

:thumbsup: for vivid aqauriums

everytime it is a great experience and I agree the guy with the earings is the guy to talk to.

my only issue with them is that they are like many other lfs when you order something, in that they just don't take me seariously and therefore never order it. I even offered to pay in advance (they declined) and the order still has not come in and it has been almost 2 months.

 

[ettekmo]

I love vivid. I want to go there more often but it's far for me (I'm in hollywood.) Their livestock is extremely healthy and their coral selection is unsurpassed by any lfs i've been to in the area... and the surge tank is amazing. I just wish it were closer, and I wish their hours were more weekday evening oriented. They clearly do more business online than they do with walkins as their store is not really a storefront but a space in an office park - so of course i understand *why* - but if i could go there in the evening after work (and not have to plow through rush hour traffic from hollywood to canoga park) i would go there much more often. I should just order stuff online - but I LIKE TO GO THERE! I like to look at all their great stuff in person.

BTW - I think their forum here is "closed" - there's just 2 msgs in it and one saying they don't sponsor reef central anymore. ?

 

[RufRidn]

I never knew this place existed, I live 5 minutes away from there. Gotta check it out one of these days.

 

[murphreef]

yeah i agree vivid is a good place... i got my Ca reactor set up from them cheaper than i could find it anywhere else and great service... i also went to there grand opening to the public and got some nice sps pieces that were really nicely priced

Tats is anotehr story....once in a while ill drop in there to check out livestock but there sps selection is always drab and way over priced they always stick the "nicer" sps corals in there display tank which to me is BS... and there prices are rediculous to say the least.... also agree about the lack of friendlyness there i think they dont bother with me too much anymore cuz they know that i know i wont pay those kinda prices for there stuff

JMO

 

[sinned]

There is another well kept secret in the Valley (Van Nuys). Try MAKIN WAVES
16518 Arminta St. Van Nuys, CA 91406 Bus. (818) 787-8216 Fax (818) 787-9570.
(mknwaves.com)

 

[ScallopKing]

I also got my CA reactor from them. Good price for the reactor. I did have to approach him (the guy behind the counter) to purchase it initially, no big deal really. When I picked it up, he was very friendly and helpful. I like the setup he has too!

 

[vdburr]

Thanks Migston. Actually, we're not well known locally as our store has been here since November of last year. We've been on-line for two and a half years. We would love to see more locals. Shipping is alot of work! So if you have any ideas, let us know.

Noschmo, I'm sorry if you felt unwelcome when you came. We must have had an off day. We try to be outgoing and welcoming but not in your face when people come in. If I'm the girl with the bored look, you can blame it on my hormones since I'm newly pregnant. And Dave must have been working on bills!

 

[818]

From what I remember I think the guy on the computer behind the counter 24/7 is David. I made a post already on them. They are close to my house, but I can get better prices on fish. But still thats a cool spot! They were friendly and helpful to me.

Dont get me wrong, you wont find better QT'ed fish cheaper then what they sell them at in the Valley. But the SPS are priced hella high. I just stick to trading/buying coral from reefers.

What I do like is they have tons of plumbing pieces you cant find anywhere besides MarineDepot. Me and my pops were suprised and the amount of variety of plumbing perfect to help me finish off my system.

They are known for ther online superiority. The man is on the computer/online taking care of business. I dont see how big of a deal it is to ask him "I want that fish".....

 

[818]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7647535#post7647535 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saltyESQ
:thumbsup: for vivid aqauriums

everytime it is a great experience and I agree the guy with the earings is the guy to talk to.

my only issue with them is that they are like many other lfs when you order something, in that they just don't take me seariously and therefore never order it. I even offered to pay in advance (they declined) and the order still has not come in and it has been almost 2 months.

Contact my boy March at Pet Supreme...He will get any fish man...

 

[Bebo77]

yeah Sam said that they were not cheap.. do they get cool fish? i meet the owner at the last meeting MASLAC i went to when walt smith spoke...