Not trying to market for anyone- but I wanted to share a positive experience with a LFS. Took my little "newbie" self to Oceans and Seas in Roseville, MI-
Oceans and Seas - Metro Detroit - Pet Store - started talking to the first guy who said "hello-can I help you?"- he must have spent 45 minutes with me, I'm asking all kinds of newbie questions about corals and such, he wandered around with me while I looked in all the tanks and at all the accessories. I did end up buying a couple soft corals ( a pretty little mushroom and a Zoo frag- very nice, for starters). It's great to have forums like this to ask questions, but it's refreshing to talk to someone in person who wants to share knowledge, and maybe help a customer be successful with a tank!