What store is worth a road trip?
- Thread starter daveverdo
- Start date
skidoctor
New member
I guess it depends on what you are looking for. I have had luck in Rochester with The Reef Shop, but I know that is a long drive. the Salty Dog in Canandaigua is great, they will order anything for you, and have a well stocked open top tank with some great corals. They are having a frag swap this Saturday, and according to Adam and Kyle, there should be a bunch of people looking to trade and sell.
BTW, I'm headed down to Horseheads this weekend- is there a good store I can check out in the area?
BTW, I'm headed down to Horseheads this weekend- is there a good store I can check out in the area?
SquidwardTentacles
New member
Squid's Ranking of Buffalo-area Shops:
Squid's Ranking of Buffalo-area Shops:
ARC (Amazing stuff / pretty good service)
Saltwater Paradise (Good selection / not a huge expertise / great service)
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.
The Fish Place (Good selection / fair service)
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Place in front of ARC (OK selection / one-man shop)
.
Pet's Plus (Good selection / horrendous service)
.
.
.
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Markheim (Went there for the 1st time in years last week. Wow, don't waste your time. They've gone way downhill).
Went to Salty Dog last week. Very good for frags. Outstanding service. Would rank in the top 2 or 3 if in Buffalo.
Squid's Ranking of Buffalo-area Shops:
ARC (Amazing stuff / pretty good service)
Saltwater Paradise (Good selection / not a huge expertise / great service)
.
.
The Fish Place (Good selection / fair service)
.
Place in front of ARC (OK selection / one-man shop)
.
Pet's Plus (Good selection / horrendous service)
.
.
.
.
Markheim (Went there for the 1st time in years last week. Wow, don't waste your time. They've gone way downhill).
Went to Salty Dog last week. Very good for frags. Outstanding service. Would rank in the top 2 or 3 if in Buffalo.
There are a bunch of shops in and around Rochester. Marine Oasis, The Reef Shoppe, Caribbean Forest, ABC Aquarium (I think that's the name of it), are all in or close to Rochester. The Salty Dog is in Canandaigua which isn't too far either.
skidoctor
New member
i gotta disagree with the service at Carribean Forest. An hour wandering around by myself only to get get "oh, did you want something" is not very good customer service. They're solution to every issue is buy more. Went in for a fitting and almost got pressured into a new tank set up. And they hand off hlle like its their job.
daveverdo
New member
Thanks but I'm not really talking about locally (Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo sort of qualify as local if you live in the Elmira area). I haven't been to all of them but they really do not compare to That Pet Place.
I am talking about a special day trip to a big shop.
Dave
I am talking about a special day trip to a big shop.
Dave
teamdulski
The Saltiest!
I could spend a day in Buffalo between Saltwater Paradise and A Reef Creation.
daveverdo
New member
Are there any stores in the northeast similar to The Pet Place?
Are there any stores in the northeast similar to The Pet Place?
Maybe I should rephrase my question.
Are there any stores in the northeast similar to The Pet Place?
110,000 square foot store
http://www.thatpetplace.com/explore-our-store#pirates-cove
35,000 gal system
touch tank
Are there any stores in the northeast similar to The Pet Place?
Maybe I should rephrase my question.
Are there any stores in the northeast similar to The Pet Place?
110,000 square foot store
http://www.thatpetplace.com/explore-our-store#pirates-cove
35,000 gal system
touch tank
I'm going to Maryland in August. I'm definitely stopping there!
DEEP BLUE SIX
New member
Pacific East Aquaculture of Maryland.
http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/about_us.html
You might need more than 1 day to really plan a good trip there. Drive time etc.. But worth seeing I think.
On the way down, pass through Philadelphia Pennsylvania and grab a steak wit at Pat's or Ginos original philly steaks.
Then once your down there, (Maryland) Pacific East is very close to many attractions. Free Museums in Washington DC and what else DC has to offer. Plus inland and coastal Maryland itself. Overall it could be a nice trip. For 2 days to several.
http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/about_us.html
You might need more than 1 day to really plan a good trip there. Drive time etc.. But worth seeing I think.
On the way down, pass through Philadelphia Pennsylvania and grab a steak wit at Pat's or Ginos original philly steaks.
Then once your down there, (Maryland) Pacific East is very close to many attractions. Free Museums in Washington DC and what else DC has to offer. Plus inland and coastal Maryland itself. Overall it could be a nice trip. For 2 days to several.
Capt_Cully
Active member
I absolutely live the lay out and vibe of the reef shoppe, the prices..... Not so much, but that place is so well done, I love visiting.
briangsxr1000
New member
Agreed
Agreed
Only two places I would go to in the local area...They both have great stuff!
Agreed
Only two places I would go to in the local area...They both have great stuff!
I've been to fish place pet place dozens of times for all kinds of things. Gotta say, that if was shopping for corals or fish I would probably rather go to ARC, ABC, etc. Less drive, better prices, better experience.
I realize its not as impressive, but fish place is all WC stuff- their nems look horrible usually, their frags are way over priced.
That being said, you can't beat their display tanks...
I realize its not as impressive, but fish place is all WC stuff- their nems look horrible usually, their frags are way over priced.
That being said, you can't beat their display tanks...
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
x2
I have family in Lancaster, PA and a cousin of mine worked at That Pet Place.
For reef stuff the Rochester and Buffalo stores are better.
Johnny C
New member
Since moving to PA, I've visited almost every single reef-related retail store in NY, PA, NJ, and CT... I still make the 5+ hour trip to WNY for most all of my coral purchases. Some of you locals don't know how good you have it!
PS- I haven't been to Dr. Mac's yet, but I've heard good things. ORA is next on my list, but that isn't exactly a day trip! :fun4:
PS- I haven't been to Dr. Mac's yet, but I've heard good things. ORA is next on my list, but that isn't exactly a day trip! :fun4:
Bluephish13
New member
ARC and SWP def my first choices in buffalo. Everyone knows about them.
But if you know your info and don't need to ask any questions then pets plus in lockport is def worth a look, lots of exotic pets that just make it fun to go and look, and a big saltwater selection prob just as big as the others. good prices too.
you could go from ARC then hop on the 290 to colvin and go to SWP then head back on the 290 to the 990 to transit then up to main st in lockport and hit up pets plus. you could do it in a few hours.
But if you know your info and don't need to ask any questions then pets plus in lockport is def worth a look, lots of exotic pets that just make it fun to go and look, and a big saltwater selection prob just as big as the others. good prices too.
you could go from ARC then hop on the 290 to colvin and go to SWP then head back on the 290 to the 990 to transit then up to main st in lockport and hit up pets plus. you could do it in a few hours.
