Hey Fellow Tankers.
I also frequent those LFS but I did get some bad advice from them when I started but after many suggestions from this site and all the helpful people I got it straight and they took the fish back.I live in the Arbutus area so I am in the middle of both.The aquarium center I feel has alot more knowledgable people there but as for the equipment they are just crazy prices.I spent 1900.00 on my tank and after learning more and looking on line i could have gotten the same set up for about 900.00 if I bought everything online.(Dont get me wrong they sold me top shelf stuff and the tank is great now) but a 55 gal ,stand, lid lights JBJ sump with a skimmer , live sand ,25 lbs live rock. Should not cost that. (I have added 35lbs more since. I bought it from this site. It has been great lots of plant life and critters but the three crabs really caused a prob.) I have 2 clown fish that have been there since the 2nd day the tank was set up.A spanish hogfish and a gobey.They are very small but really active and the tank is flurishing.I have mushrooms and a brain coral and a clam I will post pics soon.I do not have a digital camera yet.Any one in the maryland area who wants to chat or has any suggestions just chat at
me.hellams111@yahoo.com Just stay the corse and learn as much as you can knowledge is power.
Roo