LFS

Scdell · Apr 20, 2019

Curious about how everyone's situation is.
Mine is horrendous. Went into one today. These people just bought the store about a month or two ago. Three people working???? First of all I walk in and I think I surprised them. Like wow is that a customer? They were all sitting around playing on their phones. Tanks were mostly empty, algae all over the glass. Mostly what they did have in stock were clownfish, maybe about 20. They had corals, a clam. High priced!!!
There's actually 2 in my area. Decided to try the other one. Not much in stock either. The fish they had were anemic, some had spots on them. No way would I buy from there. But at least the glass was clean!
Yeah, smaller market here. But no excuse.
What is one to do?

scattered · Apr 20, 2019

There is only a single store here and they are pretty good for the most part. Typical LFS mentality of sell first teach later.

mnk · Apr 20, 2019

I have an amazing one around 20 minutes away from my house, there's a few others that are like 40+ minutes that I haven't visited yet, but they all seem to be great.

Reefer40b · Apr 20, 2019

Buying online sometimes is the only option, mine near me is clean for the most part but does not care about its livestock. I think its always good to support a LFS but only if they deserve it and in your case I would never step foot back in there.

Scdell · Apr 20, 2019

I'm jealous!

Steve Elb · Apr 20, 2019

Mine is awesome. Well stocked with fish and coral as well as snails crab shrimp etc. The owner is super knowledgable. He helped me make a smooth transition from fresh to salt. Also a cool dude and only 10 minutes or so from my house

Duffer · Apr 20, 2019

Have quite a few in my area and we are real fortunate they all are great..clean, always willing to help and pretty darn prices.. we also have a few stores that strictly sell coral and they too are awesome to deal with..

Scdell · Apr 20, 2019

Y'all must be in big market towns?

MTBake · Apr 20, 2019

I have a really good lfs that I visit every weekend. Decent selection of coral and lots of fish. I used to have more choices years ago. Lots have closed since I've been in this hobby.

Instigate · Apr 20, 2019

Scdell said:
Curious about how everyone's situation is.
Mine is horrendous. Went into one today. These people just bought the store about a month or two ago. Three people working???? First of all I walk in and I think I surprised them. Like wow is that a customer? They were all sitting around playing on their phones. Tanks were mostly empty, algae all over the glass. Mostly what they did have in stock were clownfish, maybe about 20. They had corals, a clam. High priced!!!
There's actually 2 in my area. Decided to try the other one. Not much in stock either. The fish they had were anemic, some had spots on them. No way would I buy from there. But at least the glass was clean!
Yeah, smaller market here. But no excuse.
What is one to do?

I have a similar situation and I'm in Los Angeles! I have one LFS that's a 5 min walk from my house and another a 5 min drive away but they both have more aptasia, bubble algae, and bryopsis than I'm comfortable with as well as a very limited selection. But I've thankfully found a good one about a 20min drive away and all the wholesalers are right there too if I decide to get a resale permit at some point so that's cool. But ya, I was very disappointed in the two that are close to me. I go check them out every now and then to see if they're improving...not yet.

MrObscura · Apr 20, 2019

One thing I quickly learned is never trust an lfs. Even so called reputable highly regarded ones usually don't know what the heck they are talking about.

I live in Chicago and have been to every lfs with an hour radius and none of them really impress. Even the nicer ones with decent selections have proved wanting in the knowledge department.

Hell the nicest "lfs" and the only one I'd buy from regularly is actually a dudes basement.

There's a one last place nearby which I'd like to visit, also out of a house, called Reef Nation which has an awesome selection, but the few reviews are so so.

Instigate · Apr 20, 2019

MrObscura said:
One thing I quickly learned is never trust an lfs. Even so called reputable highly regarded ones usually don't know what the heck they are talking about.

I live in Chicago and have been to every lfs with an hour radius and none of them really impress. Even the nicer ones with decent selections have proved wanting in the knowledge department.

Hell the nicest "lfs" and the only one I'd buy from regularly is actually a dudes basement.

There's a one last place nearby which I'd like to visit, also out of a house, called Reef Nation which has an awesome selection, but the few reviews are so so.

+1 I don't even bother asking anything from LFS anymore. I come here for advice.

Jekyl · Apr 21, 2019

I'm in Michigan and have a good one. Runs individual tanks with no shared water and doesn't medicate his tanks

rawrsean · May 20, 2019

Jekyl said:
I'm in Michigan and have a good one. Runs individual tanks with no shared water and doesn't medicate his tanks

Mind sharing the name of your LFS? I’m in Michigan from time to time!

Jekyl · May 20, 2019

Place is called Tropicorium in Romulous. Been in business over 20 years.

trmiv · May 20, 2019

I’m in Orlando so my LFS’s are World Wide Corals, Top Shelf Aquatics, Living Reef Orlando. World Wide Corals is the closest for me so that’s where I shop the most.

Silverfish · May 20, 2019

I love going to local fish stores. No surprise, I’m sure many of us can’t pass one up without checking it out.
However, I do believe they are a dying breed. Between internet and local reefers I think all the bases are covered.