good LFS in Phoenix, east valley

nosecondz · 07/12/2009, 08:59 PM

Any one have any places they would recommend for having good selection of corals.

Circesfire · 07/12/2009, 09:26 PM

The ones I can think of would be:

Aquarium Arts in Mesa - They have some pretty nice stuff, mostly softies and polyps, but it is very reasonably priced, and everything I have gotten from there has done ok. I bought a toadstool a few months back that has probably quadrupled in size. In case you are looking for fish, I would caution you on that front as I have several fish that looked extremely stressed and rather sick. Also, they tend to stock items that aren't really good for beginners and have seen people buy these with absolutely no conversations or warnings from the employees

Arizona Seabottom in Chandler- From what I hear they are trying to turn themselves around. They do have some nice corals, and a large selection. I would recommend (as always) dipping these corals, as I once received a large predatory isopod? (I think that's what they're called) on one of there corals. The xenia I bought from them did die after a few weeks, but I wouldn't say that was there fault as I did have the very minimum lighting to support xenia.

I know that Pet's Inc in Tempe has some fish, but not many corals that I remember. There's also a fish store in Scottsdale, called About the Reef (I haven't been to their new store but went there when it was still on Price Rd). I've been to both of these places several times, but have never felt compelled enough to buy anything from either place.

By far the fish store I would recommend the most is Aquatouch off of the 51 freeway and Cactus. I know it may be a bit more of a drive than some of the others, but believe me you won't regret it. I have purchased the vast majority of my corals and fish from there and have never been disappointed. The staff there are very knowledgeable, without being conceited, and are more than happy to spend the time discussing your tank and what would work well for you. They have a huge selection of both soft corals, polyps, LPS and SPS, all of which are healthy. Some people complain about the prices, and while some things are a little on the high end, I have also found some things that I thought were very reasonable, and either way am happy to pay their prices to have healthy coral and fish, that thrive and adapt easily to my tank. Also if they don't have what you're looking for, talk to some of the staff. I have had several fish special ordered for me.

Hopefully this will help a little, I know I spent a lot of time shopping around the first few months of this hobby. At least consider yourself lucky that you live close to several fish stores. I live out in Goodyear, and as of yet there are no quality saltwater fishstores out this far west.

Alison
(P.S. Now I know this is REALLY a drive, but Oasis Tropical Fish store has some awesome corals. They specialize in rare, super special, mostly Australian and ORA species. If you are interested in these, I'd recommend signing up for their mailing list. I got notified of there 5th birthday celebration back in February, where they had a deal for 5 corals for 555. At first I thought this had to be a misprint but after seeing some of there stock and inquiring on prices, one coral was 350., I ended up spending the 555, and took home some real show stoppers. All have subsequently done well in my tank too!

nosecondz · 07/13/2009, 10:52 AM

cool thanks. ive been to aa and about the reef so far, where is arizona seabottom?

Circesfire · 07/13/2009, 01:17 PM

I think it's off of i10 and Chandler.

Garage1217 · 07/13/2009, 01:28 PM

Check out the local AZ forum, you will get much better information!

http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumd...s=&forumid=228

nosecondz · 07/13/2009, 01:42 PM

cool thanx

07/12/2009, 08:59 PM	#1
nosecondz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 74	good LFS in Phoenix, east valley Any one have any places they would recommend for having good selection of corals. __________________ Go Ravens!!! Current Tank Info: 29G,10G sump, 4x24 t5.

07/13/2009, 10:52 AM	#3
nosecondz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 74	cool thanks. ive been to aa and about the reef so far, where is arizona seabottom? __________________ Go Ravens!!! Current Tank Info: 29G,10G sump, 4x24 t5.

07/13/2009, 01:28 PM	#5
Garage1217 GET OFF MY LAWN Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Globally Posts: 5,863	Check out the local AZ forum, you will get much better information! http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumd...s=&forumid=228 __________________ No great genius has ever existed without some touch of madness ~ Aristotle If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it? ~ Albert Einstein I'm just as bent as ever. Hellishly so ~ Captain Jack Sparrow Current Tank Info: Systems and goodies by Lee-Mar / Coralvue / Neptune Systems / Jager / Spectrapure / Cree / Meanwell + more!

07/13/2009, 01:42 PM	#6
nosecondz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 74	cool thanx __________________ Go Ravens!!! Current Tank Info: 29G,10G sump, 4x24 t5.

07/12/2009, 09:26 PM	#2
Circesfire Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 49	The ones I can think of would be: Aquarium Arts in Mesa - They have some pretty nice stuff, mostly softies and polyps, but it is very reasonably priced, and everything I have gotten from there has done ok. I bought a toadstool a few months back that has probably quadrupled in size. In case you are looking for fish, I would caution you on that front as I have several fish that looked extremely stressed and rather sick. Also, they tend to stock items that aren't really good for beginners and have seen people buy these with absolutely no conversations or warnings from the employees Arizona Seabottom in Chandler- From what I hear they are trying to turn themselves around. They do have some nice corals, and a large selection. I would recommend (as always) dipping these corals, as I once received a large predatory isopod? (I think that's what they're called) on one of there corals. The xenia I bought from them did die after a few weeks, but I wouldn't say that was there fault as I did have the very minimum lighting to support xenia. I know that Pet's Inc in Tempe has some fish, but not many corals that I remember. There's also a fish store in Scottsdale, called About the Reef (I haven't been to their new store but went there when it was still on Price Rd). I've been to both of these places several times, but have never felt compelled enough to buy anything from either place. By far the fish store I would recommend the most is Aquatouch off of the 51 freeway and Cactus. I know it may be a bit more of a drive than some of the others, but believe me you won't regret it. I have purchased the vast majority of my corals and fish from there and have never been disappointed. The staff there are very knowledgeable, without being conceited, and are more than happy to spend the time discussing your tank and what would work well for you. They have a huge selection of both soft corals, polyps, LPS and SPS, all of which are healthy. Some people complain about the prices, and while some things are a little on the high end, I have also found some things that I thought were very reasonable, and either way am happy to pay their prices to have healthy coral and fish, that thrive and adapt easily to my tank. Also if they don't have what you're looking for, talk to some of the staff. I have had several fish special ordered for me. Hopefully this will help a little, I know I spent a lot of time shopping around the first few months of this hobby. At least consider yourself lucky that you live close to several fish stores. I live out in Goodyear, and as of yet there are no quality saltwater fishstores out this far west. Alison (P.S. Now I know this is REALLY a drive, but Oasis Tropical Fish store has some awesome corals. They specialize in rare, super special, mostly Australian and ORA species. If you are interested in these, I'd recommend signing up for their mailing list. I got notified of there 5th birthday celebration back in February, where they had a deal for 5 corals for 555. At first I thought this had to be a misprint but after seeing some of there stock and inquiring on prices, one coral was 350., I ended up spending the 555, and took home some real show stoppers. All have subsequently done well in my tank too!

07/13/2009, 01:17 PM	#4
Circesfire Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 49	I think it's off of i10 and Chandler.