JAVAJOE!

[info_sponge]

I too, my comrade in saltiness, am from Buffalo.
I would LOVE to know where the good LFS are in town.
So far I have been to niagara aquarium. Great guy, kinda knows his stuff, been helpfull but his corals are nice, not excellent.
I went to the fishplace on Robinson and they have a decent amount of stuff, but again, not in EXCELLENT condition.
last place I went was Saltwater paradise. These guys have EXCELLENT stuff, and a decent selection. Not tons, but enough. They LOOK like they know what theyre doing, but alas while I was there, I was the only one in the store and neither sales associate said a peep to me... not even hello. SO, whats the skinny?
TIA.

 

[javajoe]

Info_Sponge...
Hey! FINALLY! A fellow Buffalonian! (thought maybe i was the only one! )
Like you- i have searched like crazy for a good place for reef stuff- was not too impressed with either niagara aquarium or the Fish Place- (the Fish PLace i guess is THE place for freshwater, but i have not been too impressed with some of the things i have seen in the Salt water department...)
Salt Water Paradies is defiantely the place to go. The people that run it are the owners, and they are a little on the shy side- but the REALLY REALLY now their stuff. When i first got into the hobby, they were extremely helpful. Joe and Annette Kozak are the owners, and Joe's brother Jim is like an 'equal partner' but they are all really 'in charge'. GREAT people- but yes, they don't say a lot--- they are not really outgoing. Kinda shy i guess. Joe's wife is probably the most talkative, but she is not there a lot. WHen i wsa first their, i was a little put off as well- but i came witha list of questoins (mainly from things i read here) and they were very knowledgable-- i even asked them about things i knew to be wrong- they were very good about correcting me, not in a demeaning way at all.
Anyway- to make a longer story short- go to SWP. They are the best- and the guys are really friendly once you get to know them- and the really know the hobby- they don't want to just sell you stuff.
One other thing-- believe it or not, the ***** over here on Niagara Falls Blvd has this kid that really really knows reef tanks. I cannot remember his name- it's 2 letters (like C.J. or J.D. or seomthing like that), he is about 15, and really really skinny- almost scrawny... thre has been a couple times when i have had an emergency situation that i needed some instant advice and did not get a respoinse from here wuick enough, and SWP was closed-- he has helpoed me out a couple of times. It's funny too- cuase he directed me to other places a couple times to buy stuff instead of getting it at *****. He gets a lot of his stuff online-- he has a 150 gallon reef tank himself... so if you ever run into stuff you need quick answers to- call up ***** and see if he is around.
Oh- SWP can order almost anything you want in too. If there is something you want and cannto find it- ask them.
How long have you been in the hobby? What size tank you got set up- or are you just starting out? I will read some of your other posts now and maybe answer that questions myself.
Glad to see someone else from here on this board!
They get their livestock on tuesdays, that is when the have the most stuff-

 

[info_sponge]

cool
Yeah I don't have a tank yet... seeing as how the Buffalo job market is "so outstanding" I am currently umemployed
anywho... I am planning on moving into a house when I do find a job and that's when I'll get things into order... finish the basement, then make it my little corner of the house. I just don't want to start a decent tank then try to move it. I am thinking anywhere from 75 - 125. I just became enthralled with the setups I saw and am addicted. I guess I'm here to learn how to do it right... so I don't waste any precious $$$ heheh. Excellent poeple and info here. thanks for the direction towards swp.