LFS list - Southern California Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts (SCAPE)

guppy · 04-23-2005, 10:16 AM

I think we should start to make a LFS list for the Southern California area.

**turbomkt** · 04-23-2005, 11:00 AM

Here are a few in San Diego. I can only vouch for Fountains (pronounced fontanes), Aquatic Warehouse, and Pet Kingdom. Fontanes has some plants in decent shape but nothing special and a little pricey. Pet Kingdom usually has crap for plants and basically shoved them out of the way under some of their fauna tanks. Aquatic Warehouse is geared more toward salt water, but I take my excess plants in there for 1/3 cost store credit. Depends on who you get for how much credit you get. One guy has a clue, another one doesn't, and it's the difference of $1 per sag. subulata plantlet and $1 per three plantlets. For filter parts I go between AW and PK.

The rest of the stores I stole from the San Diego Tropical Fish Society web site. Guppy and I were at their last auction. I about broke even between the two plants I bought (ozelot sword and a ton of java moss) and the two I sold (A ton of dwarf sag. and 3 stems of b. japonica). It started at 7 and went late, but there were some definite deals there on fish and equipment (Some excellent discus went for really really cheap). Even saw a former PK employee there (Thought she was buying for the store but it turns out she quit gleefully and does computer work now).
Aquatic Warehouse - 5466 Complex St, Ste 204, San Diego, CA 92123

Fountains Aquarium - 7575 University Ave, La Mesa, CA 91941

Live Cargo Reptiles & Fish - 8874 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, CA 91941

Mike's Aquarium & Pet Centers - 651 Sweetwater Rd., Spring Valley Shopping Ctr., Spring Valley

Pet Kingdom - 3191 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA

Pet Plaza - 911 E. Plaza Blvd, National City, CA 91950

Priced Rite Pets - 775 Palm Ave, Imperial Beach, CA 91932

South Bay Tropical - 1172 3rd Avenue Suite D6&7, Chula Vista, CA 91911, CA 91932

VM Aquatics - 4344 Convoy St., Suite N, San Diego, CA 92111

SAWALLACE · 04-23-2005, 07:18 PM

LFS I frequent:

Tropical Fish House: 5146 Holt Blvd. Montclair
(909) 624-6417 Often has obscure fish, decent price, family owned, plant selection minimal

Goldfish Plus: 1027 N. Grand Ave. Covina, 91723
(626) 966-2308 Has a ton of stuff, but the owner will try and sell you the store if he could, plant selection minimal

Hacienda Aquatics: 1075 N Hacienda Blvd. La Puente, 91744
(626) 330-4716 Often has rare fish, plant selection minimal

There are a couple more but I cannot find the addresses right now.

SnyperP · 04-24-2005, 10:47 AM

Total Tropical Fish
1043 W. Foothill Blvd
Upland, Ca. 91786
(909) 982-2214

They're trying to get into to plants. Rather small plant selection, but they have more than others. I usually drop by weekly ont he way home from class. I'll post and let you guys know what they have.

Their fish selection is pretty good. The tanks look very clean and healthy. If you have a thing for plecos they usually have a few varities. Their royal pleco they had the other week was just simply amazing.

**turbomkt** · 03-19-2006, 08:01 AM

OK...the other thread asked for a list. I'll add another one to this list.

Octopuss Garden has recently moved to a larger and more accessible location. As part of the expansion they have added a lot to their freshwater offerings, including a focus on planted tanks.

Octopuss Garden
858-576-7449
4865 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111

**TetraFreak** · 03-19-2006, 08:43 AM

Mike's in Spring Valley is a Questionable place!

They have a great selection of fish but alot of their tanks are way overstocked. The Equipment they sell does look to be good, and as for plants...really not much of a Selection. Prices seem to be decent for what they have.

guppy · 03-19-2006, 09:16 AM

Here I hope this helps a lot of people out. This a google generated map with all the LFS in the LA-OC-SD area.
http://zoyzoy.com/aquarium/aquariumstoresmap.asp
I got it from reefcentral.com
ENJOY!!

BTW only some of the places on the map sell freshwater...

**turbomkt** · 03-19-2006, 12:48 PM

I'll agree about Mike's. They even had H. Polysperma for sale. That's a serious no-no. But for whatever reason they were also the only ones who had some other things I was looking for (Not fish or plants in this case).

Thanks for the link to ZoyZoy. I updated O. Garden's address and phone number.

**TetraFreak** · 03-20-2006, 04:10 PM

OH...and Live Cargo in La Mesa SUCKS! just some agressives, little equipment, and NP PLANTS!

But if you want reptiles, they're OK

**turbomkt** · 03-20-2006, 04:24 PM

Thanks for the feedback on Live Cargo!