Pimp your favorite LFS

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by omard, Jun 5, 2008.

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  1. omard

    omard Gnarly Old Codfish

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2003
    Messages:
    4,745
    Location:
    Silverdale, Washington
    I am really lucky to have an excellent LFS nearby.

    [​IMG]

    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. - :eek: 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. 8)

    Thanks "Shark Reef"


    :2thumbsup
     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2008
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  3. amcarrig

    amcarrig Super Moderator

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    CT
  4. wildreef

    wildreef Stylophora

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2008
    Messages:
    978
    Location:
    Louisville, KY ( derby town )
    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 )
     
  5. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2007
    Messages:
    7,933
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    My LFS is called Exotic Aquariums(1) and Reef Aquariums(2) both are across the street from each other. Luna
     
  6. HORTON16

    HORTON16 Sea Dragon

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2008
    Messages:
    528
    Location:
    Coral Springs Florida
    Mine is Fish Empire they are great.
     
  7. nunch

    nunch Aiptasia Anemone

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    Apr 14, 2008
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    596
    Location:
    Weston, Florida
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2008
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  9. HORTON16

    HORTON16 Sea Dragon

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2008
    Messages:
    528
    Location:
    Coral Springs Florida
    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?
     
  10. nunch

    nunch Aiptasia Anemone

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2008
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    596
    Location:
    Weston, Florida
    Nah can't say that i have. but the fishes of eden place i go to is in a warehouse also, but in Miramar
     
  11. HORTON16

    HORTON16 Sea Dragon

    Joined:
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    528
    Location:
    Coral Springs Florida
  12. omard

    omard Gnarly Old Codfish

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2003
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    Location:
    Silverdale, Washington