Best Reef stores in Texas?

[mcdonnell1013]

Hi, I just moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth Area and i'm looking for recommendations on the best reef stores! Thank you!!!

 

[Opus]

AquaStudios
Ocean Avenue
Roberts Reef
Smayda Aquatics
School of Fish
5th Day Aquatics

No true storefront but local and allow local pickup

coralsellerz.com
Tylers Tanks - www.coral-vault.com (store opening Dec 3)
Dropoffcorals.com

We also normally have 5 or so frag swaps a year plus Aquashella-Dallas. Hopefully those will return at some point next year. Also I've driven down to Houston for their big one day reefing event.

 

[JasonK84]

When I visited the area I went into a Dallas North Aquarium. It was a very nice LFS. This was a year and a half ago and not sure if it’s there still. I’m sure google will know.
Still have my clowns that I bought there and drove 7 hours home with.

Just Googled and yup. It’s still there.

2910 E Trinity Mills Rd
Carrollton Texas 75006

 

[Opus]

When I visited the area I went into a Dallas North Aquarium. It was a very nice LFS. This was a year and a half ago and not sure if it’s there still. I’m sure google will know.
Still have my clowns that I bought there and drove 7 hours home with.

Just Googled and yup. It’s still there.

2910 E Trinity Mills Rd
Carrollton Texas 75006

It has been around for 30 years or so. They are basically known as the "overpriced" store of the area. They cater to the wealthy and make a ton of their money on tank maintenance.

 

[JasonK84]

It has been around for 30 years or so. They are basically known as the "overpriced" store of the area. They cater to the wealthy and make a ton of their money on tank maintenance.

They treated me right on my first trip there. Wyoming white clown for $40 and black phantom clown $40. At the time (March 2019) LA was selling them for $80-$90 each. My experience doesn’t match what you are saying but I did only have the one experience. They even bagged in extra water and a cooler for my extended trip home for no extra charge. They also held them for me until the next day when I would be heading home.
All great services that a good LFS should have. It also doesn’t take away the fact that it is a very nice well set up store. Don’t believe the OP mentioned being concerned of price or not.

 

[Opus]

They treated me right on my first trip there. Wyoming white clown for $40 and black phantom clown $40. At the time (March 2019) LA was selling them for $80-$90 each. My experience doesn’t match what you are saying but I did only have the one experience. They even bagged in extra water and a cooler for my extended trip home for no extra charge. They also held them for me until the next day when I would be heading home.
All great services that a good LFS should have. It also doesn’t take away the fact that it is a very nice well set up store. Don’t believe the OP mentioned being concerned of price or not.

You probably did get good service. I believe the people on the floor work on commission. They run a clean store with usually a good stock, though coral wise it isn't always great. Prices can be all over the place. They can have fish that are well priced and then some are double what everyone else is asking. They bring in a ton of fish each week so they should get good discount wholesale pricing.

Don't take my post wrong, I shop there. I like their freshwater selection. Unlike years ago, now it is hard to find a good place to buy freshwater fish/plants/inverts. You just have to know your prices. I was looking at the low boy 40gal tank setup as a frag tank setup. They are one of the only places I have seen the tank for sale. They wanted around $200 for the tank which is a good price. Then I looked at the stand and they wanted over $400 for it. I guess that is where they were going to make their profit.

My original post is just the local vibe I've gotten the 20 years I've lived here and been part of the reefing scene.

 

[OceansX]

Thanks Opus for the LFS suggestions.

I've been to Dallas numerous times for Uchins' Coral Fest swaps & Aquashella, but haven't checked those listed stores out yet.

 

[ZoWhat]

Oddly enough the best store in Texas is in Oklahoma

 

[Bobby daniels]

Oddly enough the best store in Texas is in Oklahoma

Which one are you referring too?

 

[JasonK84]

Oddly enough the best store in Texas is in Oklahoma

Did you know that the wind doesn’t blow in Texas? Yup! It’s just that Oklahoma sucks! Haha

 

[TheDallasCollector]

I bought my custom tank and stand at Fish Gallery after comparing prices, materials and quality to Dallas North Aquarium product. That said, no comment on livestock yet since I haven’t got the equipment set up yet.