lattehiatus
Past President
This is primarily directed at those living in the Berkeley/Oakland/Richmond areas, but everyone's input is appreciated.
Since the closing of Lucky Goldfish (Oakland), Green Marine (Berkeley), and Wet Pets (San Pablo/El Sobrante), there is a neighborhood LFS vacuum. Where are you going for your livestock and supplies? The 3 storefronts closest to me are below, with my personal observations:
Albany Aquarium: Very limited saltwater selection. Been a while since I've been there, but they seemed to place regular orders with ORA. They are closed on Wed and Thu, which can make it difficult for getting those emergency supplies.
Aquatic Collection: Fantastic selection and service. Since they close at 6:30 on weekdays and are closed on Sunday, I don't have the opportunity to visit as often as I would like, but I do try to go before or after every BAR event to drool over the livestock and pick up fish/coral food to support our sponsor.
Diablo Corals: Found myself going to Diablo Corals more and more lately, it may largely have to do with the store being open late into the evening and all weekend. The selection is excellent, with new stock arriving twice a week or more. I like being able to see the corals from both above and through the side of the tank. I feel that service is top notch - Jess is accommodating to fragging instead of having to purchase the whole colony, and I've had great survival rates with even fresh frags. There is a propagation tank where I can admire the original mother colonies of the frag I am looking to purchase.
Anyone else care to share your thoughts and opinions on where you are shopping locally?
P.S. I've deliberately omitted Neptune Aquatics due to proximity, although Robert and Cerissa's crew deserve an honorable mention and I stop by every time I am passing through the South Bay, as well as the LFSs in San Francisco.
Since the closing of Lucky Goldfish (Oakland), Green Marine (Berkeley), and Wet Pets (San Pablo/El Sobrante), there is a neighborhood LFS vacuum. Where are you going for your livestock and supplies? The 3 storefronts closest to me are below, with my personal observations:
Albany Aquarium: Very limited saltwater selection. Been a while since I've been there, but they seemed to place regular orders with ORA. They are closed on Wed and Thu, which can make it difficult for getting those emergency supplies.
Aquatic Collection: Fantastic selection and service. Since they close at 6:30 on weekdays and are closed on Sunday, I don't have the opportunity to visit as often as I would like, but I do try to go before or after every BAR event to drool over the livestock and pick up fish/coral food to support our sponsor.
Diablo Corals: Found myself going to Diablo Corals more and more lately, it may largely have to do with the store being open late into the evening and all weekend. The selection is excellent, with new stock arriving twice a week or more. I like being able to see the corals from both above and through the side of the tank. I feel that service is top notch - Jess is accommodating to fragging instead of having to purchase the whole colony, and I've had great survival rates with even fresh frags. There is a propagation tank where I can admire the original mother colonies of the frag I am looking to purchase.
Anyone else care to share your thoughts and opinions on where you are shopping locally?
P.S. I've deliberately omitted Neptune Aquatics due to proximity, although Robert and Cerissa's crew deserve an honorable mention and I stop by every time I am passing through the South Bay, as well as the LFSs in San Francisco.
What can I say, I was so anxious I didn't read their hours.