Which LFS in San Jose Area?

[OceanWolf]

I bought my fish, invertebrates and corals (GSP, RBTA and Mushroom) from 4 different stores in the last two months.

Petco, Morgan Hill (Damsel (after the cycling I donated that guy), Turbo Snails, Blue legged Hermits Crabs, Fire Shrimp)
Neptune Aquariums, SJ (2 Juvenile Clowns, 2 Nassarius Snails, GSP)
T&T Marine and Koi, SJ (CBS, Anemone, mushroom)

I also visited King Aquarium time to time.

When I mentioned King to T&T, they have made warning comments, Petco guy made comments about T&T, I have read enough about Petco on the forums.

Here is my experience with different stores.

• Petco's prices are great and they have a return policy. The selection is very limited and I don't know where they buy their stuff. The staff is young and I am not sure about their experience levels.
• Neptune was not very friendly. It is hard to get any advise during weekends, no returns.
• T&T was very friendly, but more expensive compared to Petco, no returns.
• King is always crowded and it is hard to get help. I don't have experience with their stock.

Do you have a reliable LFS suggestion in San Jose area that I can buy without hesitation? Or there are no stores like that?

Thanks
Onur

 

[tmantaylor18]

I can agree that King isn't the greatest for salt water but have no idea why you had a bad experience with Neptunes. It is a little cramped on the weekends but I have never had problems with customer service. It's actually pretty insane how good they are about asking you if you need help when they are so busy. I would try Neptunes again and maybe ask for some help, everyone there is super friendly.

 

[Tenny]

I'd stick with neptunes. They are cramped, but the staff is knowledgeable. It's one of the only I trust in the south bay. Honestly I would be afraid of diseases from king and Petco.

Never been to T and T though.

 

[KusabiKuri]

Aqua Exotic in Belmont is also very good. Great selection of corals and from my experience, the staff is pretty knowledgeable.

 

[OceanWolf]

I heard a lot of good things about Aqua Exotic. I am in Morgan Hill, so I need to make a trip to Belmont. I'll try them though..

Onur

 

[psidriven]

If looking for fish? Baja reef in union city has the most. Plus you can get some sigsig at toppings. Sooooo tastey

Ac in Hayward is stepping up their fish game to match their corals so worth checking out once their new fish system addition is done.

 

[Diamond Jack]

I'd try Neptunes again. They have great stuff and Robert and his staff have been helpful and friendly when I have gone there. I usually drive there a few times a year from Elk Grove to get something nice. Diablo Corals is also a nice store that is a bit out of San Jose, but worth the drive.

 

[neuro]

I've visited King, but their saltwater tanks have a lot of algae and bubble algae. It's on their frag plugs and in between the frag, difficult to remove.

I've never had problems at Neptune, even when they're super busy they devote some honest answers. I always get asked if I need help. Sometimes twice.

I also really like AC in hayward.

I don't know of any store that has returns. Though that'd be nice to have some guarantee, which I assume would raise prices.

 

[Tenny]

Def a lot of great LFS's in the bay area.

Currently until more open up Neptune's is my go to.

Reef For Less (I think that was the name) was high quality when I was there, but they just didn't have much.

Once you start expanding most of the others that have been posted already I agree are nice stores.

 

[OceanWolf]

I agree that return guarantee would mean work out if it comes to that, but it provides a warm feeling about the store.

I'll try Neptune again.

 

[ferchb]

I'm down in the Monterey Area so I don't have as much experience in the bay area but had good luck with Aquatic Collection and Baja Reef. I went to Neptune's on a busy weekend but would check it out again.

 

[OceanWolf]

I'm down in the Monterey Area so I don't have as much experience in the bay area but had good luck with Aquatic Collection and Baja Reef. I went to Neptune's on a busy weekend but would check it out again.

Are there any LFS in Monterey Area? It is more fun to go to south than SJ.:rollface:

Onur

 

[nly04]

Neptune for Coral, fish goodies, they have alot of fish tank on the back of the building (another store behind there main store) and service. the team is great but their price is high.

Aqua Exotic, Belmont, ca for coral and fish. team is ok, price also high.

Aquarium Collection, Hayward, ca. For Coral, fish and goodies. great price, service is Ok and they are expanding their fish area.

Diablo coral, Dublin, ca. Never been here but hear they are friendly and price is ok.

REEF FOR LESSS, San Jose. New store, friendly but not much selection.

Aquarium Concept in Dublin is the biggest store but with a lot of fish, tank, goodies but lately their coral really nice and you will see fish dying on their tank.

Baja reef formal of Atlantic aquarium in Hayward, CA. This store is fish only, nothing else, price is ok, team not so good.

 

[Tenny]

Aquarium Concept in Dublin is the biggest store but with a lot of fish, tank, goodies but lately their coral really nice and you will see fish dying on their tank.

Baja reef formal of Atlantic aquarium in Hayward, CA. This store is fish only, nothing else, price is ok, team not so good.

Aquarium Concept has disappointed me every time i've been there. So many dead fish there.

Baja Reef has corals, at least they did about a month or two ago. Not a bad selection, but some of the corals were dying.

 

[orientalexpress]

Atlantic aquarium is no longer own by ming?

 

[buddythelion]

Neptune for Coral, fish goodies, they have alot of fish tank on the back of the building (another store behind there main store) and service. the team is great but their price is high.

Aqua Exotic, Belmont, ca for coral and fish. team is ok, price also high.

Aquarium Collection, Hayward, ca. For Coral, fish and goodies. great price, service is Ok and they are expanding their fish area.

Diablo coral, Dublin, ca. Never been here but hear they are friendly and price is ok.

REEF FOR LESSS, San Jose. New store, friendly but not much selection.

Aquarium Concept in Dublin is the biggest store but with a lot of fish, tank, goodies but lately their coral really nice and you will see fish dying on their tank.

Baja reef formal of Atlantic aquarium in Hayward, CA. This store is fish only, nothing else, price is ok, team not so good.

Reef 4 Less has a few nice corals here and there. But unfortunately when I swung by Rick wasn't there and only had 2 of his friends to watch the shop. They had to call him every time I had to ask the price for a coral and a lot of pieces were sold per polyp and had to be freshly cut. There was no way I was going to ask those guys to make a fresh cut for me, I don't think I'd trust them to. He really should make more frags of his corals and have a labeled price on them to make things faster and smoother.

 

[tmantaylor18]

Reef 4 Less has a few nice corals here and there. But unfortunately when I swung by Rick wasn't there and only had 2 of his friends to watch the shop. They had to call him every time I had to ask the price for a coral and a lot of pieces were sold per polyp and had to be freshly cut. There was no way I was going to ask those guys to make a fresh cut for me, I don't think I'd trust them to. He really should make more frags of his corals and have a labeled price on them to make things faster and smoother.

Is that the place in the building with the apartments and liquor store?

 

[OceanWolf]

I was at Neptune today. Robert the owner was very nice. I bought an arrow crab. $15. I think it is a fair price. We will see what the bristleworms will do. Coral Banded shrimp that I bought had no interest in the worms.

 

[maddog2002]

Aquarium Concept still best place for fish.

 

[buddythelion]

Is that the place in the building with the apartments and liquor store?

Oh I heard about that one! That's the one selling cheap shortcake frags. I want to see that one too.

Reef 4 Less is located in downtown San Jose, sorta close to the Costco on Senter. They're mixed in with a printing shop.