OdySea, SeaLife, or local shop?

[Skydvr]

In Tempe for a conference and considering checking out one of the aquariums in the area or possibly a shop or two instead tomorrow.

Which would be better from a reef hobbiest/breeder standpoint: OdySea or SeaLife aquarium? Or should I just skip both and check out some local shops?

 

[Jman76]

OdySea is def pretty cool. Ive never been to Sealife. If you want to visit a couple good LFS, try Ocean Floor, Az Reef Monster, or Kona Reef. Aside from Ocean Floor, the other 2 are close to Tempe. Hope this helps!

 

[Salty Lemon]

In Tempe for a conference and considering checking out one of the aquariums in the area or possibly a shop or two instead tomorrow.

Which would be better from a reef hobbiest/breeder standpoint: OdySea SeaLife aquarium? Or should I just skip both and check out some local shops?

Both are good but in my opinion, OdySea is the better of the two you brought up. It covers both freshwater and saltwater fish. You won't be seeing tons of corals, however. It is also part of an outdoor "mall" complex so you can get food and ice cream after and walk around to see some of the area.

If you want an interesting shop to visit, Ocean Floor in Phoenix is a renovated rollerskating rink. It is a fun one to visit. Kona Reef is also quite reputable -- I've only been to their store on the west side but not in Phoenix.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

odysea for sure. i’d skip sealife and the shops.

 

[73_Travelall]

Been to SeaLife probably 20+ times (kids) since they opened, never gets old, very well laid out but pretty small. We usually spend no more than 30-45 minutes there. OdySea I'm sure has gotten alot better but we went pretty soon after they first opened and was not too impressed with anything other than the size of the place.

If you're planning to bring any Coral back I've heard nothing but good things about Limited Edition Corals however I have never made it in that direction, Club Reef in Tempe is pretty small but always seem to have some good coral and great deals.

 

[Skydvr]

Not really looking to bring anything back unless I came across a Trimma goby pair or a Hi-fin pair with an Alpheus shrimp for a really good deal, but I’ve got a local shop working on that for me.

Thanks for the input. You guys have me considering checking out some shops instead of the aquariums now. If I skip out on the last talk, which isn’t directly related to anything I work on, I could probably hit up OdySea and a couple of shops.

 

[evolved]

Not really looking to bring anything back unless I came across a Trimma goby pair or a Hi-fin pair with an Alpheus shrimp for a really good deal, but I’ve got a local shop working on that for me.

Thanks for the input. You guys have me considering checking out some shops instead of the aquariums now. If I skip out on the last talk, which isn’t directly related to anything I work on, I could probably hit up OdySea and a couple of shops.

This is just my humble opinion and not at all representative of AZ FRAG or anything else, but I'd go to Odysea long before Sealife.

As for local shops and having been back your way, you won't find a store as nice as Greenwich this way nor a shop with livestock as crazy as House of Fins.

Visually, Kona Reef is pretty decent, and not too far away from your stay.

 

[Skydvr]

House of Fins is amazing livestock wise, price is another story. If they are running full quarantine before they hit the floor, the prices are a bit more reasonable. Their customer service is what really drives their prices up. That and their clientel is predominantly high end contract accounts that spend more on their tanks in a year than most of us here make in that same time period.

Greenwich Aquaria has some beautiful tanks with well cared for livestock. I’d kill to have the tank they sell live plants out of. That is my style of tank. Fairly shallow with the depth about 2/3 of the width.

Both of them are a bit of a ride for me and I don’t make it down that way often, which is probably a good thing.


Thanks for the input. Still going back and fourth a bit on OdySea or the shops. Or heading down to Eloy to see if I can run into some friends I haven’t seen in a few years and no longer have contact info for.

 

[Skydvr]

Thanks again for all of the recommendations. Ended up spending a couple hours over at OdySea. Maybe next time I’ll check out some of the shops if I end up with more free time.