Pimp your favorite LFS

[omard]

I am really lucky to have an excellent LFS nearby.



Shark Reef
The Shark Reef
10408 Silverdale Way NW A103
Silverdale, WA 98383
Ph - 360-662-1313
Fax - 360-662-1314


"Good LFS" Criteria

1. Tanks look healthy and clean. (Algae free, artistic display, never overcrowded, good flow and water clarity. Do not stock less then hardy species).

2.Friendly and knowledgeable staff, good livestock selection and healthy fish/corals/inverts. (can't say enough good things about both Eric and Matt - always helpful, very knowledgeable)

3. A staff that is not just try to sell you stuff but actually providing helpful advice (never pushy, make you feel welcome when you just come in to oogle. Always provide advice and warning when deciding make purchase of difficult species).

(4) Good prices...compare against big retail sellers on web...should be less in most cases. (Always great bargins - Way less then online dealers, and less then competing LFS's. - Amazing bargins during fairly frequent sales.)

(5)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. (Usually always check in with you when entering shop, even when assisting customers, and will interupt if making immediate purchase. Well staffed during peak periods - weekends/sales.)


(6) 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. ("Shark Reef" always willing to.)

(7) Close by a big plus. (1.5 mile trip for me)

(8 ) Does staff bother to learn your name and remember what kind of system you have if you are not a frequent customer. (Eric and Matt always inquire about status and health of tank...pretty much know what you have stocked)


(8 ) Employee's ALWAYS ask new customer, "How long have you had your tank set up?" - then strongly discourage them from making inappropriate purchases.

(9) Lastly, employee's also reef keepers besides work. (very important..both are. Display tank in shop is remarkable and is always worthwhile to just stop by just to look at.)


(10) Special Orders? - (always willing to, without extra costs. Has good sources that can meet promptly.)




A good LFS in area is a valuable asset. Once you come upon a good one, support them all you can, even if prices for some stuff 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. "Pimp" to others whenever possible...direct potential customers their way.

Thanks "Shark Reef"

[amcarrig]

I'm biased but mine is:

Welcome To Aquatic Art Technologies, Inc.

[wildreef]

AQUATICA REEF SUPPLY
11481 Blankenbaker Rd.
Louisville, KY 40299
502-261-0720 Fax-502-261-0791


I have 3 stores i can visit in the louisville area , but AQUATICA reef supply is the best for al sorts ,
He's straight up 100% Salt water reef supply's and and also make's his own design of skimmer.
Any thing ya want from hard to aquire acro's to any thing of the softies.

Always has something ya want, high quaility too' you never see a sickly fish or pitifull looking coral.

( Run's it with him and his wife )

[lunatik_69]

My LFS is called Exotic Aquariums(1) and Reef Aquariums(2) both are across the street from each other. Luna

[HORTON16]

Mine is Fish Empire they are great.

[nunch]

Originally Posted by lunatik_69

My LFS is called Exotic Aquariums(1) and Reef Aquariums(2) both are across the street from each other. Luna

Good choices Luna, I like Exotic Aquariums better.

my favorites are:

Fishes of Eden
Exotic Aquatic
Big Al's Aquarium Supercenters - Big Al's Aquarium Stores
The Reef's Edge
Blue Seas Aquariums | Home

you should check out exotic aquatic's show tank. one of the best i've ever seen. he's got a 25 yr old carpet anemone biggest i ever saw.

[HORTON16]

Hey nunch or luna someone was telling me about a place off of 441 in coconut creek it's like a warehouse fish store.

Have you heard about it?

[nunch]

Originally Posted by HORTON16

Hey nunch or luna someone was telling me about a place off of 441 in coconut creek it's like a warehouse fish store.

Have you heard about it?

Nah can't say that i have. but the fishes of eden place i go to is in a warehouse also, but in Miramar

[HORTON16]

Originally Posted by nunch

Nah can't say that i have. but the fishes of eden place i go to is in a warehouse also, but in Miramar

You should try Fish Empire if it isnt too far for you

Fish Empire Inc - Coral Springs, Florida (FL) | Company Profile

Tell them Josh referred you if you go

[omard]

Originally Posted by amcarrig

I'm biased but mine is:

Welcome To Aquatic Art Technologies, Inc.

My second favorite...!