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6 Posts
Hi All,
I live in Tustin, and have been wanting to do a planted aquarium for years, and now feel I have the time & resources to be successful. This will be my first 'serious' tank of any kind (not counting a couple of my kids' 5 gal guppy aquariums). I've read up a lot, and feel like I could manage it, especially with you all here for support.
Anyhow, I'm shopping for a tank/stand/canopy, and in the process am evaluating the LFSs in my area. I looking for a shop that actually carries some healthy plant specimens, maybe has a nice planted show tank, as evidence that the proprietor knows about plants and will be able to provide healthy specimens.
Here's a summary of the LFSs I've checked out:
Window To The Sea (Tustin)
Mainly salt water oriented, looks like they may -once- have had high ambitions of selling plants. The entire store was pretty unkempt, as were the tanks (fresh & salt). They actually had a stock tank for plants, each in a little pot, but the specimens looked pretty unhealthy, under the dim lighting. There were a few tanks packed with some kind of 'plant matter', labeled 'contents not for sale' - no worries there!
Coral And Fish Center (Santa Ana)
Very nice store. Big, clean, good looking tanks. Beautiful saltwater tanks & specimens. No plants to speak of. Very nice selection of tanks, talked a while with the salesman about possibilities for getting a custom stand made. This may be where I get my stand & tank.
Ocean Blue (Orange)
I had high hopes for this one - somebody said back in April that 'Brian seems quite interested in establishing the store as "the" LFS for planted tanks.' I guess they're just too busy with the salt trade. They had what looked intended to be a planted show tank, but it was pretty dreadful (overgrown, algae, sickly fish). If I hadn't seen pictures of what many here have acheived, this tank would have discouraged me for good.
PetSmart (Santa Ana)
Believe it or not, the healthiest plants I've seen! Paltry selection, of course, but they at least the were mostly green!
So, I'm re-evaluating whether to pursue a planted freshwater aquarium, or maybe just go saltwater, since there is so much retail support for it. I've read all the wonderful things folks say about All About Fish, Strictly Fish, and Neptune's, but that's a pretty long drive, round trip, even on the weekend. I want to spend my time on my hobby, not driving. Also, since it seems too difficult for the LFSs to do a planted show tank, perhaps it's too difficult for me?
Am I being too harsh on the LFSs I've visited? Am I making too big a deal out of finding a decent LFS for plants? Everyone driving to LA for plants & equipment, or ordering from the internet?
Cheers, and thanks for sharing any thoughts,
Dave
I live in Tustin, and have been wanting to do a planted aquarium for years, and now feel I have the time & resources to be successful. This will be my first 'serious' tank of any kind (not counting a couple of my kids' 5 gal guppy aquariums). I've read up a lot, and feel like I could manage it, especially with you all here for support.
Anyhow, I'm shopping for a tank/stand/canopy, and in the process am evaluating the LFSs in my area. I looking for a shop that actually carries some healthy plant specimens, maybe has a nice planted show tank, as evidence that the proprietor knows about plants and will be able to provide healthy specimens.
Here's a summary of the LFSs I've checked out:
Window To The Sea (Tustin)
Mainly salt water oriented, looks like they may -once- have had high ambitions of selling plants. The entire store was pretty unkempt, as were the tanks (fresh & salt). They actually had a stock tank for plants, each in a little pot, but the specimens looked pretty unhealthy, under the dim lighting. There were a few tanks packed with some kind of 'plant matter', labeled 'contents not for sale' - no worries there!
Coral And Fish Center (Santa Ana)
Very nice store. Big, clean, good looking tanks. Beautiful saltwater tanks & specimens. No plants to speak of. Very nice selection of tanks, talked a while with the salesman about possibilities for getting a custom stand made. This may be where I get my stand & tank.
Ocean Blue (Orange)
I had high hopes for this one - somebody said back in April that 'Brian seems quite interested in establishing the store as "the" LFS for planted tanks.' I guess they're just too busy with the salt trade. They had what looked intended to be a planted show tank, but it was pretty dreadful (overgrown, algae, sickly fish). If I hadn't seen pictures of what many here have acheived, this tank would have discouraged me for good.
PetSmart (Santa Ana)
Believe it or not, the healthiest plants I've seen! Paltry selection, of course, but they at least the were mostly green!
So, I'm re-evaluating whether to pursue a planted freshwater aquarium, or maybe just go saltwater, since there is so much retail support for it. I've read all the wonderful things folks say about All About Fish, Strictly Fish, and Neptune's, but that's a pretty long drive, round trip, even on the weekend. I want to spend my time on my hobby, not driving. Also, since it seems too difficult for the LFSs to do a planted show tank, perhaps it's too difficult for me?
Am I being too harsh on the LFSs I've visited? Am I making too big a deal out of finding a decent LFS for plants? Everyone driving to LA for plants & equipment, or ordering from the internet?
Cheers, and thanks for sharing any thoughts,
Dave