Which LFS pulls the nicest corals ??
- Thread starter yongsum
- Start date
humuhumupukapuka
Member
Nicest corals? Very close between Aquatic Collection and Neptunes, especially since Aquatic Collection set up their frag tanks.
I go to Aquatic Collection since its soo close and Joe and Karson are great guys. Robert at Neptunes, another good guy. All three keep a tight shop and seem like they have love for the hobby...
I go to Aquatic Collection since its soo close and Joe and Karson are great guys. Robert at Neptunes, another good guy. All three keep a tight shop and seem like they have love for the hobby...
Aquatic Collection in Hayward is my favorite LFS right now. It's on the way home from work for me so I stop by there every so often. The coral selection is probably the best in the area (gotta be most gallons), best prices I've seen and they get some really nice livestock. Great guys too. They buy frags!!! which helps subsidize my habit a little. TBH on the minus side their fish sometimes don't look too healthy & I've noticed aptasia in their tanks. But then I've seen aptasia in most LFS, so....
The other place I frequent is Ultimate Aquarium in San Mateo because it's the closest to home. I buy consumables here (phyto, food, etc.). Sometimes I get lucky & they have something cool, most of the time they got nothin'. But I like the staff so I give em props for being helpful & friendly. They do have a decent selection of fish but honestly I am hesitant about buying anything from the side tanks. The side tanks are all connected & turnover is high so I'm worried about disease. Always quarantine! Back tanks are better, they put the best (expensive) livestock in the back. I only mention this place because I got my Purple Tang & elegance coral here, 2 of my favorites & I paid a reasonable price. If you're a regular you can haggle with them. Again, very hit & miss; depends alot on when you go. They don't buy frags.
The San Carlos/Belmont place is called Aqua Exotic, & they still don't have a storefront AFAIK. You have to set up an appointment, but I recommend doing so if you're in the area. The livestock looks really good & prices are generally reasonable. Selection is limited right now, but when I went it was in an apartment. I'm really looking forward to this place opening up 'cause it's SO CLOSE!!!!
I've also been to Neptune and I think it's a really good LFS if a bit on the expensive side. It's a little off my usual beaten path, so I don't get to go down there very often. Livestock looks really healthy & staff was great IME. They have some really interesting SPS.
The other place I frequent is Ultimate Aquarium in San Mateo because it's the closest to home. I buy consumables here (phyto, food, etc.). Sometimes I get lucky & they have something cool, most of the time they got nothin'. But I like the staff so I give em props for being helpful & friendly. They do have a decent selection of fish but honestly I am hesitant about buying anything from the side tanks. The side tanks are all connected & turnover is high so I'm worried about disease. Always quarantine! Back tanks are better, they put the best (expensive) livestock in the back. I only mention this place because I got my Purple Tang & elegance coral here, 2 of my favorites & I paid a reasonable price. If you're a regular you can haggle with them. Again, very hit & miss; depends alot on when you go. They don't buy frags.
The San Carlos/Belmont place is called Aqua Exotic, & they still don't have a storefront AFAIK. You have to set up an appointment, but I recommend doing so if you're in the area. The livestock looks really good & prices are generally reasonable. Selection is limited right now, but when I went it was in an apartment. I'm really looking forward to this place opening up 'cause it's SO CLOSE!!!!
I've also been to Neptune and I think it's a really good LFS if a bit on the expensive side. It's a little off my usual beaten path, so I don't get to go down there very often. Livestock looks really healthy & staff was great IME. They have some really interesting SPS.
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Friday Night
New member
Bare bones out in coco county. Diablo is a stones throw away and it's good to see a LFS that has nice corals and that is making its mark real fast on the map.
But yea Joe and Carson and Robert are killing It in lower half. But yet it's a bit of a hike being gas is 14.00 a gallon
Overall I find there is no "best/nicest" LFS for corals they all are doing thier thing and feeding our addiction and helping keeping this hobby alive and on the map as well.
So yea Ty all LFS :beer:
As well as RIP to those ones that didn't make it. You paved the way.
But yea Joe and Carson and Robert are killing It in lower half. But yet it's a bit of a hike being gas is 14.00 a gallon
Overall I find there is no "best/nicest" LFS for corals they all are doing thier thing and feeding our addiction and helping keeping this hobby alive and on the map as well.
So yea Ty all LFS :beer:
As well as RIP to those ones that didn't make it. You paved the way.
woodnaquanut
Active member
This is a great thread.
I'm just getting back into reefs after a few years away and it's great to see other people's opinions.
A few weeks ago I went around to all the stores it the east bay. I went to too many in one day and have two confused. One, either Atlantis or Aquatic Collection, is part fish store, part grow op supply store. Can anyone help me remember which is which?
Thanks and sorry for the hijack.
@Friday Night
14.00 gallon in Walnut Creek? Note to self - never get gas in Walnut Creek!
I'm just getting back into reefs after a few years away and it's great to see other people's opinions.
A few weeks ago I went around to all the stores it the east bay. I went to too many in one day and have two confused. One, either Atlantis or Aquatic Collection, is part fish store, part grow op supply store. Can anyone help me remember which is which?
Thanks and sorry for the hijack.
@Friday Night
14.00 gallon in Walnut Creek? Note to self - never get gas in Walnut Creek!
davskee
New member
Atlantis is the one with the huge tank to the left as you walk in.
neuro
the cat did it
Rchobby007
New member
You guys should have your store names in your posts to make it easier to reference.
buddythelion
New member
Stopped by Aquatic Central today, man do they have a nice collection of z + p's! Too bad I didn't get anything, because basically everything that was collector's level was off limits, even some with multiple frags or some frags that had 6+ polyps on them. Unless you go to the back and have to buy $100 and up of multiple polyps. That tank up front is such a tease...
Made me frustrated that I couldn't get anything since I drove all the way up from San Jose to see what the talk was all about and there were lots of frags I don't have and want, but it's understandable why he won't sell them.
Made me frustrated that I couldn't get anything since I drove all the way up from San Jose to see what the talk was all about and there were lots of frags I don't have and want, but it's understandable why he won't sell them.
eldiablosrt8
New member
They frown on is doing anything to promote store w/opaying to be a sponsor here
Kinetic
Active member
I'm a big fan of Neptunes (robert and cerissa are awesome) and Aquatic Collection. Not that the others are bad, I just haven't been to the other stores much.
Robert I've dealt with the most. Such a stand up guy. He's someone you can just be friends with. I never hesitate to buy anything I need from him. He's honest and that's what I respect most. You can't put a price on quality corals and quality service.
There's a lot of other stores out there in the bay that are the same. It's nice to have that mentality in the bay area! We are quite lucky.
Robert I've dealt with the most. Such a stand up guy. He's someone you can just be friends with. I never hesitate to buy anything I need from him. He's honest and that's what I respect most. You can't put a price on quality corals and quality service.
There's a lot of other stores out there in the bay that are the same. It's nice to have that mentality in the bay area! We are quite lucky.
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