Favorite Shops in NEO Ohio?

thefranchizehof · 10/29/2013, 11:34 AM

Since I'm still new to the hobby can you guys share your favorite shops or people on here you recommend buying stuff from?

I live in Akron but not opposed to driving up to an hour for a good shop.

So far my favorites are:
1) Triton Marine, Macedonia
2) Coral Reefs Marine Fish, Akron/Portage Lakes area
3) Saltwater Havens (previously Captain Larry's), Akron/Ellet (very close to my house is why it is in my Top 3 and Bruce, the owner, is a good guy)

I know of Two Turtles in Akron also just not a huge fan personally of the place. Where would you recommend?

EddieJ · 10/29/2013, 11:36 AM

Aquatica in Valley City

Bratyboy2 · 10/29/2013, 11:41 AM

Brimfeild Petco! Lmao had to say it Sean!

thefranchizehof · 10/29/2013, 11:42 AM

Never heard of that place before but I will certainly check it out! Is it a big or small place?

There's a new place up in Cleveland I wanna check out and I heard it's like a big warehouse called "Cleveland Aquatics".

ReefingHavoc · 10/29/2013, 11:48 AM

Blue Fish is has a pretty nice setup. Store is clean and organized vs. some of the stores that have random things stacked everywhere.

codemonkey812 · 10/29/2013, 12:18 PM

Ocean Rift Aquatics in North Canton
Salty Critter in Vermillion

thefranchizehof · 10/29/2013, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bratyboy2

Brimfeild Petco! Lmao had to say it Sean!

lol hahahahahahaaha you literally made me laugh out loud. It is convenient that I live 4 exits away from there for supplies I wouldn't dare buy a fish from there - ESPECIALLY after I saw a blue hippo tang there that had ICH

thefranchizehof · 10/29/2013, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codemonkey812

Ocean Rift Aquatics in North Canton
Salty Critter in Vermillion

Vermillion is a tad bit far, but I would love to check out that place in North Canton. I'm frequently by there and I am working in Belden Village a couple days a week thru November so I might have to stop by there on the way home one night!

Thanks for the suggestion!

thefranchizehof · 10/29/2013, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefingHavoc

Blue Fish is has a pretty nice setup. Store is clean and organized vs. some of the stores that have random things stacked everywhere.

Where is Blue Fish located?

ReefingHavoc · 10/29/2013, 01:03 PM

Lyndhurst, on Mayfield Rd(322)

Travenous · 10/29/2013, 01:19 PM

Here is my 2 cents on the ones that were mentioned that you haven't visited:

Aquatica (Valley City) has a ton of dry goods, they actually supply most of the local stores with their dry goods. While I like the store, it is a drive out there, but definitely worth a trip every so often. They do have some coral and fish as well, but their forte is the dry goods.

Cleveland Aquatics is located in Euclid and I'm not real sure they have their hours nailed down yet. You should definitely try calling them first to make sure they will be open if you plan on heading up there. Since they are so new, they are still stocking up, but they already have a respectable amount of coral and inverts.

Blue Fish as mentioned is in Mayfield and is a well kept clean store, but I find their prices on most things to be a bit high compared to other local fish stores.

Ryand63 · 10/29/2013, 01:40 PM

I can't say that I've been to all of the shops listed so far but out of blue fish/jurassic/aquatic technology/rms I'm definitley going to go with Blue Fish. Prices are a tad high, but you get what you pay for (knowledgable and friendly staff) and nice healthy fish

C.Sharkdude · 10/29/2013, 01:49 PM

Blue fish and Aquatica are my favorite places to get stuff.

crabbyjoe · 10/29/2013, 02:28 PM

Personal fan of Ocean Rift Aquatics

and really like what Bruce is doing with Salt Water Havens.

Thekingy · 10/29/2013, 05:31 PM

Aquatic Technology

Pastor Salty · 10/29/2013, 08:28 PM

Ocean Rift Aquatics. Best store around

Saltwater Havens is also a good store.

I also like Aquatic Technology

pws · 10/30/2013, 05:40 AM

Aquatic Technology for livestock for sure.

thefranchizehof · 10/30/2013, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pws

Aquatic Technology for livestock for sure.

Where is Aquatic Technology located?

pws · 10/30/2013, 08:23 AM

26966 Royalton Rd Columbia Station, OH 44028

Biggest all saltwater store in Ohio. Little messy but his livestock is great.

Also have a greenhouse in the front with frags and LR ect.

jinks · 10/30/2013, 04:32 PM

Aquatic tech takes it when it comes to fish. If you are going to go out there no reason to not stop by Aquatica at that point as its about 10 min down the road. They are great for dry goods and coral. Salty is around 30 min east of them. They are good for coral and dry goods too.

Crkbaby · 10/31/2013, 04:56 PM

You can never go wrong with going out by Columbia Station and check out Aquatica and Aquatic Technology, Aquatica has with out a doubt the best selection of dry goods/equipment at the most reasonable price in the area, not to mention he can make anything you can imagine out of acryic tanks, shirting, canopies, sumps. And I have been a fan for years of aquatic Technologies diverse and healthy fish selection no body in the area works harder at making sure fish are eating and the customer knows what in the area. Coral selection as you know just depends on when you visit not so much where.

jinks · 10/31/2013, 07:56 PM

Dont know what happened to that pic of aquatic tech, but i went there today and peaked in the back. It looks like hes building an ice Skating rink back there.

joe22883 · 10/31/2013, 08:23 PM

+1 on Blue fish having very high prices. If your going out that way check out Cleveland Aquatics.

AT is great for healthy fish. Salty is great for colorful corals. For cheap fish I hit Best in Pets, qt is key here but the prices can't be beat.

Tank boy · 10/31/2013, 08:57 PM

I happen to really like Blue Fish, there's not many fish stores that will be flexible on there prices that they have listed. If Ryan is there you can always work with him on price that you and him both feel is fair. I just ask! He always looks out on good deal.

C.Sharkdude · 10/31/2013, 10:02 PM

Just remember you get what you pay for. I never have problems with BF stock or corals. Not saying others aren't good, the service and people at BF are really cool. Ryan knows what he's doing and he helps out fellow reefers whenever he can.

10/29/2013, 11:34 AM	#1
thefranchizehof Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: North Canton, OH Posts: 144	Favorite Shops in NEO Ohio? Since I'm still new to the hobby can you guys share your favorite shops or people on here you recommend buying stuff from? I live in Akron but not opposed to driving up to an hour for a good shop. So far my favorites are: 1) Triton Marine, Macedonia 2) Coral Reefs Marine Fish, Akron/Portage Lakes area 3) Saltwater Havens (previously Captain Larry's), Akron/Ellet (very close to my house is why it is in my Top 3 and Bruce, the owner, is a good guy) I know of Two Turtles in Akron also just not a huge fan personally of the place. Where would you recommend? __________________ Sean "I don't always go to reef shops, but when I do, I spend money I shouldn't."

10/29/2013, 11:36 AM	#2
EddieJ Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brunswick Ohio Posts: 492	Aquatica in Valley City __________________ Eddie J ========== 210 Gallon

10/29/2013, 11:42 AM	#4
thefranchizehof Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: North Canton, OH Posts: 144	Never heard of that place before but I will certainly check it out! Is it a big or small place? There's a new place up in Cleveland I wanna check out and I heard it's like a big warehouse called "Cleveland Aquatics". __________________ Sean "I don't always go to reef shops, but when I do, I spend money I shouldn't."

10/29/2013, 01:40 PM	#12
Ryand63 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,045	I can't say that I've been to all of the shops listed so far but out of blue fish/jurassic/aquatic technology/rms I'm definitley going to go with Blue Fish. Prices are a tad high, but you get what you pay for (knowledgable and friendly staff) and nice healthy fish __________________ 55 Gallon FOWLR - BeamsWork 48" LED's w/ Reef Octopus Bh-90 10 Gallon QT

10/31/2013, 08:57 PM	#24
Tank boy Moved On Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 88	Blue Fish I happen to really like Blue Fish, there's not many fish stores that will be flexible on there prices that they have listed. If Ryan is there you can always work with him on price that you and him both feel is fair. I just ask! He always looks out on good deal.

10/29/2013, 11:41 AM	#3
Bratyboy2 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tallmadge Ohio Posts: 922	Brimfeild Petco! Lmao had to say it Sean!

10/29/2013, 11:48 AM	#5
ReefingHavoc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 120	Blue Fish is has a pretty nice setup. Store is clean and organized vs. some of the stores that have random things stacked everywhere.

10/29/2013, 12:18 PM	#6
codemonkey812 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Kent, Ohio Posts: 295	Ocean Rift Aquatics in North Canton Salty Critter in Vermillion

10/29/2013, 01:03 PM	#10
ReefingHavoc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 120	Lyndhurst, on Mayfield Rd(322)

10/29/2013, 01:19 PM	#11
Travenous Reefing Tryhard Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 476	Here is my 2 cents on the ones that were mentioned that you haven't visited: Aquatica (Valley City) has a ton of dry goods, they actually supply most of the local stores with their dry goods. While I like the store, it is a drive out there, but definitely worth a trip every so often. They do have some coral and fish as well, but their forte is the dry goods. Cleveland Aquatics is located in Euclid and I'm not real sure they have their hours nailed down yet. You should definitely try calling them first to make sure they will be open if you plan on heading up there. Since they are so new, they are still stocking up, but they already have a respectable amount of coral and inverts. Blue Fish as mentioned is in Mayfield and is a well kept clean store, but I find their prices on most things to be a bit high compared to other local fish stores.

10/29/2013, 01:49 PM	#13
C.Sharkdude Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 867	Blue fish and Aquatica are my favorite places to get stuff.

10/29/2013, 02:28 PM	#14
crabbyjoe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: canton ohio Posts: 158	Personal fan of Ocean Rift Aquatics and really like what Bruce is doing with Salt Water Havens.

10/29/2013, 05:31 PM	#15
Thekingy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 812	Aquatic Technology

10/29/2013, 08:28 PM	#16
Pastor Salty Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Massillon Posts: 393	Ocean Rift Aquatics. Best store around Saltwater Havens is also a good store. I also like Aquatic Technology

10/30/2013, 05:40 AM	#17
pws Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Parma, OH Posts: 1,036	Aquatic Technology for livestock for sure.

10/30/2013, 08:23 AM	#19
pws Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Parma, OH Posts: 1,036	26966 Royalton Rd Columbia Station, OH 44028 Biggest all saltwater store in Ohio. Little messy but his livestock is great. Also have a greenhouse in the front with frags and LR ect.

10/30/2013, 04:32 PM	#20
jinks Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 581	Aquatic tech takes it when it comes to fish. If you are going to go out there no reason to not stop by Aquatica at that point as its about 10 min down the road. They are great for dry goods and coral. Salty is around 30 min east of them. They are good for coral and dry goods too.

10/31/2013, 04:56 PM	#21
Crkbaby Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 422	You can never go wrong with going out by Columbia Station and check out Aquatica and Aquatic Technology, Aquatica has with out a doubt the best selection of dry goods/equipment at the most reasonable price in the area, not to mention he can make anything you can imagine out of acryic tanks, shirting, canopies, sumps. And I have been a fan for years of aquatic Technologies diverse and healthy fish selection no body in the area works harder at making sure fish are eating and the customer knows what in the area. Coral selection as you know just depends on when you visit not so much where.

10/31/2013, 07:56 PM	#22
jinks Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 581	Dont know what happened to that pic of aquatic tech, but i went there today and peaked in the back. It looks like hes building an ice Skating rink back there.

10/31/2013, 08:23 PM	#23
joe22883 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: N. Olmsted, Ohio Posts: 1,416	+1 on Blue fish having very high prices. If your going out that way check out Cleveland Aquatics. AT is great for healthy fish. Salty is great for colorful corals. For cheap fish I hit Best in Pets, qt is key here but the prices can't be beat.

10/31/2013, 10:02 PM	#25
C.Sharkdude Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 867	Just remember you get what you pay for. I never have problems with BF stock or corals. Not saying others aren't good, the service and people at BF are really cool. Ryan knows what he's doing and he helps out fellow reefers whenever he can.