Flying to Tampa on the 31st...

Chefwheredyougo · May 21, 2020

Can i get some good LFS to check out while I'm there? Also, whats the policy on bringing corals back on the plane? Is it possible to carry on, or best to check them?

TIA

Dr. Reef · May 21, 2020

my cousin lives in Tampa and according to him, not much there.

CrayHawk · May 21, 2020

Live coral need to be carried on. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/live-coral

Chefwheredyougo · May 21, 2020

Dr. Reef said:
my cousin lives in Tampa and according to him, not much there.

I'll be in Florida for a few days, so I don't mind driving around to check out some good ones!

Chefwheredyougo · May 21, 2020

CrayHawk said:
Live coral need to be carried on. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/live-coral

Thanks for the heads up. That'll save some time and headache

DrufusReef · May 21, 2020

Chefwheredyougo said:
Can i get some good LFS to check out while I'm there? Also, whats the policy on bringing corals back on the plane? Is it possible to carry on, or best to check them?

TIA

I'm 2 hours south of the Tampa area and don't get there often, but I've always liked Corals and Fins. You will also only be an hour from Orlando where you can find WWC (World Wide Corals). Always worth checking out. As for flying with coral. Yes it is allowed if you keep it in a container no more than 3.5 oz. With the way TSA is now I would recommend you check with the LFS you buy from to see what shipping they do to weigh your options.

Gernader · May 21, 2020

In Tampa, check out Marine Warehouse Aquarium, Corals and Fins, and The Coral Corral. Don’t forget to check out The Florida Aquarium in Tampa too! If you don’t mind driving from Tampa to Orlando, check out WWC Superstore, Top Shelf Aquatics, Living Reef Orlando, and Sea in the City.

jsvand5 · May 21, 2020

I thought Marine Warehouse was pretty nice last time I was there. Tons of frags and quite a few Mari colonies.

Chefwheredyougo · May 21, 2020

I forgot WWC was in Orlando! Thanks for the list everyone. I'll definitely check them all out!

DrufusReef · May 21, 2020

Gernader said:
In Tampa, check out Marine Warehouse Aquarium, Corals and Fins, and The Coral Corral. Don’t forget to check out The Florida Aquarium in Tampa too! If you don’t mind driving from Tampa to Orlando, check out WWC Superstore, Top Shelf Aquatics, Living Reef Orlando, and Sea in the City.

Coral Corral is Great too.!!!

Tuffyyyyy · May 21, 2020

I’m from there originally and go back for the holidays. Every time I’m there I do the following circuit:

Marine Warehouse
The Lobster Trap for lunch
Coral Corral - definitely the best show tanks in the area
Fish & Other Icthy Stuff
Theres also one in Brandon I go to when I’m there but can’t remember the name.
oh and A&R Aquariums in St. Pete. Okay prices on normal frags but he’s always got great deals on larger stuff. Last time I was there he had a 10-head golden octospawn for $70.

Gernader · May 21, 2020

Tuffyyyyy said:
I’m from there originally and go back for the holidays. Every time I’m there I do the following circuit:

Marine Warehouse
The Lobster Trap for lunch
Coral Corral - definitely the best show tanks in the area
Fish & Other Icthy Stuff
Theres also one in Brandon I go to when I’m there but can’t remember the name.
oh and A&R Aquariums in St. Pete. Okay prices on normal frags but he’s always got great deals on larger stuff. Last time I was there he had a 10-head golden octospawn for $70.

In Brandon, I think you are talking about The Aquarium and Fish Store?

Peace River · May 21, 2020

Marine Warehouse in Tampa. IMO, WWC and Top Shelf Aquatics in Orlando are worth the drive.

Tuffyyyyy · May 21, 2020

Gernader said:
In Brandon, I think you are talking about The Aquarium and Fish Store?

Yeah that’s right. Probably the nicest guys out of all the Tampa fish stores imo.

I always used to have Creative Aquariums on my list but the kids that worked there were the worst. Sucks for a store to close but I’m glad it was the one with, in my opinion, the worst people.

Chefwheredyougo · May 22, 2020

Drawing up my route. Thanks guys

Chefwheredyougo · Jun 4, 2020

WWC Superstore corner tank!

Eggs · Jun 4, 2020

Sea Life in St. Petersburg also.
I always stop when in the area and always thought it was a decent place.
Marine Warehouse is always a must stop for me as well (mentioned above).

Chefwheredyougo · Jun 4, 2020

I

Eggs said:
Sea Life in St. Petersburg also.
I always stop when in the area and always thought it was a decent place.
Marine Warehouse is always a must stop for me as well (mentioned above).

I went to Sea Life, and they had decent prices, just nothing I was looking for.

I just left TSA in Winterpark. They were awesome, showed me the farm and got some cool pieces for cheap. Im not a livesale person, but after seeing what will be coming in this one I'm definitely participating! Some shots from their farm. I was impressed to say the least.

WWC employees were super friendly as well.

Going to check out the others mentioned here tomorrow