Dipping my feet back in...

[Hlothran]

Been out of the hobby for quite a while. My last tank was a 100G in Phoenix Arizona back in 2004. Just picked up a 30G Biocube, added some live rock from TBS a few days ago so let the fun begin..

I did have a question though, the reef hobby seems relatively small here in Pittsburgh with very few options in stores. I know Reef Gallery is just getting back in the swing of things, but seems like the only real other option is Wet Pets in McMurray. Are there other viable shops in the area, or is that about it?

 

[Jimbo Bucket]

These two are pretty solid:
Aqua World in Emsworth
Elmer's in Monroeville

 

[JaimeAdams]

The Reef Gallery in 1 mile north of Cranberry on rt 19
Aqua World in Emsworth on rt 65
Elmer's in Monroeville on rt 22
Wet Pets in McMurray on rt 19
Those are your 4 options. Each is different with pluses and minuses. There was a Saltwater Sanctuary down by Wet Pets that closed maybe a year and a half ago. There was Coral Cave an hour or so north of Pittsburgh that closed recently. There was a long term place called Sea Horse on rt 8 that closed a couple years ago. There was a place in Baldwin called Odd Ball Pets that closed a month or two back, but they only had a pretty small saltwater section.
Things in the hobby have changed a lot in the 15 years that you have been out of the hobby.

 

[Jvesche20]

Welcome back. Wish I knew the area but I live out in Michigan

 

[JaimeAdams]

Welcome back. Wish I knew the area but I live out in Michigan

Well since you don't know I can assure you that The Reef Gallery is the best, I guess I am partial since it's the one that I run All joking aside though all of the stores have supported the local fish club for a long time. They are all known for different things. Like one is known for really nice fish, another is known for their coral. I think that its like picking your favorite bar, some people love one place and hate another and its certainly been that way about fish stores as well. Just go check them all out and BS with the people there; see who knows what they are talking about, who just wants to get their commission off of a sale, who is full of it and figure out who you want to spend your earned dollar with.

 

[cracker]

Hello & Welcome to R2R ! I'm in Florida so know nothing about shops in your area. I will say You made a really good move on the TBS rock. Nothing like good live rock fresh from the sea.

 

[Jvesche20]

Well since you don't know I can assure you that The Reef Gallery is the best, I guess I am partial since it's the one that I run All joking aside though all of the stores have supported the local fish club for a long time. They are all known for different things. Like one is known for really nice fish, another is known for their coral. I think that its like picking your favorite bar, some people love one place and hate another and its certainly been that way about fish stores as well. Just go check them all out and crap with the people there; see who knows what they are talking about, who just wants to get their commission off of a sale, who is full of it and figure out who you want to spend your earned dollar with.

Sounds awesome if I’m ever in the area I’ll definitely check it out. Are you the owner or an employee? My lfs offered me a job but I said I’ll have to wait cause I’m in college and I have a job already. Over the summer I wanna work there and get some more knowledge on the reefing world. I swear just when I think I know everything something new comes up gotta love it!

 

[Jvesche20]

Hello & Welcome to R2R ! I'm in Florida so know nothing about shops in your area. I will say You made a really good move on the TBS rock. Nothing like good live rock fresh from the sea.

I used to live in Florida. Part of the reason why I’m into reefing. Got my scuba license went to the keys and went scuba diving there. Ever since love fish and corals

 

[acer]

Did Oddball close:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/OddballPets/about/?ref=page_internal

 

[sfin52]

Been out of the hobby for quite a while. My last tank was a 100G in Phoenix Arizona back in 2004. Just picked up a 30G Biocube, added some live rock from TBS a few days ago so let the fun begin..

I did have a question though, the reef hobby seems relatively small here in Pittsburgh with very few options in stores. I know Reef Gallery is just getting back in the swing of things, but seems like the only real other option is Wet Pets in McMurray. Are there other viable shops in the area, or is that about it?

welcome back to the salty life. Looks like you got some good lfs to check out. Do you have any pics of the new tank.

Welcome back. Wish I knew the area but I live out in Michigan

I wish still lived in Michigan. I grew up in the kazoo area.

 

[Ironwill723]

I am the owner of Saltwater Sanctuary in Canonsburg and we are still in business doing mainly drygoods orders, tank maintenance, and custom aquarium installations. Jamie is correct that our previous storefront closed in 2017 but I am happy to report we do have a new project in the works to relaunch the retail side of our company in the near future.

 

[Jonreefer]

Did Oddball close:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/OddballPets/about/?ref=page_internal

yea they closed about 2months ago i think it was.

 

[JaimeAdams]

Sounds awesome if I’m ever in the area I’ll definitely check it out. Are you the owner or an employee? My lfs offered me a job but I said I’ll have to wait cause I’m in college and I have a job already. Over the summer I wanna work there and get some more knowledge on the reefing world. I swear just when I think I know everything something new comes up gotta love it!

I am the employee, I have worked at a fish store for a few years, I can't afford to own one . The owner is on the forums as well, but leaves me to run stuff and our newest team member @ReefQueen Working a LFS can be cool. It has its ups and downs. I did get bite by an eel and had to have surgery and 9 months of antibiotics. Your arms are usually always wet, your shirt sleeves at some point everyday are going to get wet. Granted in the winter you spend all day in humid environment and your skin doesnt dry out. Pros and cons, ya know.

 

[Hlothran]

Great responses. I live just down the street from Reef Gallery so imagine I will be in there often, probably tomorrow. I used to live by Wet Pets but didn't have much of a reason to stop in. It does look like a lot has changed in the years since I have been out. Live rock being one of the biggest. My first experience was Walt Smith and that was a disaster. Almost didn't do it this time but we shall see how things turn out with what I have now. So far all looks good.

Thanks for all the feedback. Looking forward to getting to know people a bit.

 

[Hlothran]

welcome back to the salty life. Looks like you got some good lfs to check out. Do you have any pics of the new tank.

A pic so far.. The rock was put in on Tuesday so still stabilizing ammonia, etc..

 

[JaimeAdams]

Great responses. I live just down the street from Reef Gallery so imagine I will be in there often, probably tomorrow. I used to live by Wet Pets but didn't have much of a reason to stop in. It does look like a lot has changed in the years since I have been out. Live rock being one of the biggest. My first experience was Walt Smith and that was a disaster. Almost didn't do it this time but we shall see how things turn out with what I have now. So far all looks good.

Thanks for all the feedback. Looking forward to getting to know people a bit.

We have Michael Paletta presenting at the club meeting tomorrow evening. We are closing the store at 4:00 - 4:30 to head to the meeting. You are more than welcome to come to the meeting and hang out.