How many lfs are near you?

[rhomer]

I was wondering how many lfs do you shop at?
Where I'm at I've got about 15 big warehouse size stores, that are really good for equipment and they only sell freshwater fish, and probably 20 smaller fish stores that sell saltwater.
You would think with that many stores around here prices would be competitve and consistant. On certain items I can save 50% by shopping around.

 

[bigeyedfish]

I've got 5 decent stores that sell SW. Then you've got Deathco that i never go in. ************* is two hours away and sometimes worth the drive. I was there last weekend and got some great deals. The DC area is respectable for getting fish. Wish i was in FLA or CA, i imagine its easier to get stuff and cheaper.

 

[saltewatercrickett]

ionly have 3 stores that sell anysaltwater or fresh water for that matter near me and they all suck. diseasd fish and stuff now i gotta drive to rhode island to shop for anything so i buy online mostly

 

[jacksonpt]

1 national chain store (pet depot - no sw), two local stores that do sell sw.

 

[ebeckels]

2 good true fish stores...2 petcos...1 is terrible and 1 has some great deals on decent livestock. This is in Syracuse. I'm sure back in Philly (where I'm originally from) is much better.

 

[elizreininger]

I live in the Northern Va area and we have 5 or 6 good salt water stores, the best is Roozens a nursery, where in the back they have about a 75 tanks of great swf and corals. Anyone else in the dc area know of some good places??

 

[molly]

Elizabeth-
Where is Roozen's? I go to The Tropical Lagoon Aquarium in Silver Spring, MD. It is a small place but they have very healthy livestock and very knowledgeable staff and it is two minutes from my apartment. The funny thing is that there is a Roozen's nursery a few blocks over from this place as well.....
I have also gone to this place in Randallstown, MD called The Aquarium Center. It is a huge warehouse type place.
Molly

 

[von_rahvin]

Within an hour? I problably have close to 30. About 1/4 of those are worthwhile. I frequent 3 of them. Some have better prices on different hings. Like i buy all my tanks etc from one guy, but i would never by LR or a fish from them
<img src="graemlins//mischievous.gif" border="0" alt="[Mischievous]" />

 

[fshhub]

1, and it stinx, the guy is a moron and a jerk off, but has been in business for 30 yrs, so everyone thinks heis word is gospel, , because he is the only one around, he can't even sell me a pump or heater in an emergency, i won't let him(that is how bad he is)
to find a decent one i have to drive 20 miles, and for a good one, it is like 60 or 65 miles, and even we disagree on somethigns, but he rally has a good store adn cares about his fish

 

[underthesea]

I have three with in a twenty minute drive but theyall suck and i would never buy a fish from them let alone a sw fish. They have no clue for me to go to a good sw fish store I have to drive 110 miles each way yes that is right 110 miles each way.

 

[elizreininger]

Molly:
Roozens is in Oxon Hill off of Allentown rd
They are awesome!! If you haven't been there you need to check them out! iTs a plant nursery and in the back have tons of fish you never see! They also are very cheap!! The aquirium center, never heard of them, what is it like there, prices, # of tanks?? Do they do only saltwater?

 

[fshhub]

wow, i thought i was dedicated, bypassing all in an hours drive, to go that far, but 2 hours,
110 miles, you ar truly dedicated, i admire that

 

[rhomer]

I guess the further south you go, the better the selection.

 

[brooklyn johnny]

I am originally from Brooklyn and the north Jersey area. I now live in northern VA and I can recommend a great shop in Vienna VA. This will be convenient for you Maryland people too (I work in Maryland). It is called Vienna Aquarium and Pets. It doesn't have that many tanks, but is always PACKED with healthy cool livestock, including many angels and tangs brought in direct. For a small deposit the owner will sit on the fish for a while too. His livestock are healthy and vibrant, and you can bet driving from a while around is worth it. I hate cool stores that never have anything in them.
Also for you NJ/NY people, there is Aqua Tropics in Clifton in north Jersey. By far the best saltwater fish store I've seen. All their saltwater tanks offering livestock are 75 gallons, and there are rows and rows of them. This guy should charge admission. I always stop by there visiting relatives in NYC, even though it's like 5 hours back to VA.

 

[elizreininger]

Brooklyn Johnny, you should check out Roozen's Nursery in Oxon Hill, MD, best place around this area!!!

 

[brooklyn johnny]

I am going to hit that place soon. Thanks for the tip. I just got their number off of the web. It's address is in Fort Washington. Same place I take it.

 

[molly]

Elizabeth-
The Aquarium Center is pretty big. I would say about 75-100 saltwater tanks. They also have quite a few huge reef tanks set up, too. And a huge tank for rays. Fascinating to watch! I just remember walking in and being very excited. They have about 6 different vats of different kind of live rock, Aquacultured, Fiji, Tonga. About 4.99 to 5.99 per pound which seems normal. Some things were cheap and others were a bit more that I have paid elsewhere. I mainly looked at what I was interested in that particular day. Shrimp were $10-$20, mushroom rock about $20. They also had some small soft corals that were very cheap.
The other side of the store was dedicated to supplies. They have a good selection of books, too.
I am just starting in this hobby and pestered this poor man to death about the behavior and temperment of emerald vs sally light foot crabs. And I made him give me extra shells for my hermit crabs which entailed him picking through a pile of shells trying to figure out which ones were empty.
It is a drive for me but I recommend it! Will try the other places mentioned in Vienna and Oxon Hill.
Molly

 

[whipple]

We have 8 here in Fresno 2 real good, 1 thats awesome but the guys such an ass i wont shop there but his stock is excellent, 2 that have good stock and fair prices but not a huge selection, 2 that are small and you got to watch what you buy, and then a Pet-Co that i only buy from if they are still bagged. We also have on in Visalia thats real nice and good quality and selection but it is an hour drive one way so we dont go as often as i would like to.

 

[krusk]

fishhup
You should open a lfs in your area
seen there isn't many around and share your great infomation to the local comunnity

 

[heavenly damsel]

We have two that are really fairly decent...one is a chain the other is mom and pop shop with better prices and livestock. Y'all are lucky to have so many to go to!