lfs in your (my) area

[illushinz]

Iwas wondering if anyone could recommend an lfs in northern orlando area.

Also, what do the members think about sticky'ing something like this for people throughout our audience?

-M

[omard]

Can't imagine there is not at least few in Orlando area.

If not start one!

Check out each to make sure you find best one.

Don't trust just because prices seem to be lowest.


Here are some tips I use. Others here may add to.

Tanks look healthy and clean.

Friendly and knowledgeable staff, good livestock selection and healthy fish/corals/inverts.

A staff that is not just try to sell you stuff but actually providing helpful advice (like you find here at 3Reef)

Good prices...compare against big retail sellers on web...should be less in most cases.

Adequate staff, so you are not standing around long time waiting while they bag other's purchases and having time to spend with you answering questions about livestock.

A big plus for me is if a store will hold a livestock after purchase for pickup later. this tells me they're confident in their own abilities and that they're also confident that the livestock in question is healthy.

Close by a big plus.

Does staff bother to learn your name and what kind of system you have if you are a freqent customer.

Compare, compare, compare if you have a choice.



Lastly, a good LFS in area is a valuable asset. Once you come upon a good one, support them all you can, even if prices are a bit more then found on web. They have allot of overhead to carry and has to charge what it takes to support shop and live off of.


Others?

[cuttingras]

Here's one for you..it's not really North Orlando but it's off 408 south of the Exec. Airport. They opened right before I moved from FL to GA . I've heard good things about them.

Orlando Tropical Fish Store | Saltwater Fish | Sps Coral | Live Rock | Aquariums | Sea In The City

here's a search from local.com

Find Aquarium Stores in and around Orlando, FL on Local.com

I've been to Ernie's Seven Seas and wasn't impressed(if it's the same people)

[oeb]

Also, LFS are going to have their own opinions which does not always equal good advice, as I have learned the hard way. If you're in doubt, don't buy anything right away. Leave, google what you wonder about, ask on here, ask around in general, and make your own decision before making a purchase (no matter how small). It will save you time, money, and most importantly grief in the long run.

[illushinz]

thanks for all the input. I'm in a hurry to start my tank, but its become quite obvious that this is going to be a lesson in patience. (Probably something I could use). I want to get my tank running with at least some live sand and rock, but even for that it sounds like I'll need to go get a smaller tank to go in the stand, and put a protein skimmer there.

I'm converting out of the FW world, so I have to change my way of thinking about the tanks.