Where does everyone buy their fish, food, supplies, and such things.

I'm also on the hunt for a nice tank, stand, hood, and canopy ~55 gallons. Anyone have any suggestions?

2/14/2006 8:18:58 PM

you will pay way to much if you buy it from a local fish store. Purchase as much as possible online.
obviously you can't buy everything online--or the shipping gets too expensive, e.g. a 55gal tank, salt.
Live fish can be purchased online too, but purchase several to make the shipping worth it.


I have bought a lot of stuff from these two places.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com
http://www.marinedepot.com


[Edited on February 14, 2006 at 8:51 PM. Reason : .]

2/14/2006 8:50:25 PM

^I kinda disagree with you on the marine depot, thier prices do not appear cheap...

[Edited on February 14, 2006 at 11:01 PM. Reason : oh snap, nvm, that was for a pair]

2/14/2006 11:00:13 PM

Belive it or not, the guy at FishPros in cary told me to just go ahead and get the tank, hood, and light at walmart becasue it's cheapest there. And he's right.

For actual supplies like food and for live items, i obviously go to fish pros in cary.Good prices on meds for bettas there btw.

As for a stand or a canopy, well, not sure there. Only fish stand in the house was built by kylekatern.

[Edited on February 14, 2006 at 11:04 PM. Reason : .]

2/14/2006 11:04:22 PM

^If you don't mind me asking, what kind of tank and pump and all did you get? The wal-mart stuff always looks like crap to me.

2/14/2006 11:13:05 PM

go to fish pro's... my buddy works there.

2/15/2006 1:31:08 AM

what walmart sells tanks? The one off of Tryon only has starter kits.

2/15/2006 9:35:02 AM

^^They were extremely nice and helpful, but their prices are jacked up like mad.

2/15/2006 11:25:56 AM

last I checked walmart only had 20 gallon tanks..
I got my ten from there 'cause it is cheaper than anywhere else, though a lot of the time their fish look sickly

what about petsmart? I've seen rather large tanks in there, but never really checked the prices..

2/15/2006 11:44:47 AM

^Their tanks don't seem too terribly priced. Most of the accessories are definitely cheaper than going to a small mom & pop or fish specialist store. They don't really have salt water stuff though, so most times I dont bother. I don't think I've ever gotten anything other than a betta there, and it was fine.

2/15/2006 12:52:57 PM

The best store that I have found in this area in my opinion has to be:

Down Under Saltwater Fish and Coral
319 US 70 Hwy E
Garner, NC
http://www.downundersaltwater.com/aboutus.htm

A guy named Kevin owns the store and he is just a really nice guy – and he is always willing to answer my questions… Their prices on fish and other livestock are very reasonable. They provide a nice selection of fish & corals and their tanks always look healthy!!

I buy most of my food and other supplies @ http://www.petsolutions.com/ or Foster and Smith.

Also - Kevin at Down Under has helped me get two aquariums – through his suppliers – at very good prices!!


[Edited on February 15, 2006 at 3:21 PM. Reason : .]

2/15/2006 3:20:25 PM

petsmart has some good prices on tanks but it is their brand of tank "top fin" rather than oceanic or all-glass. Ive bought a couple and havent noticed anything different about them.

2/15/2006 4:52:44 PM

you can't drill a top fin aquarium. they use tempered glass.

tempered glass is stronger for the weight, but you can't drill it for overflows like a lot of people like to do in reef tanks.

2/15/2006 5:43:58 PM

Do you want to do saltwater or Fresh Water? It makes a big difference. Aqua Escape is closest and I have had good luck with my saltwater fish and coral there. I am not sure about Down Under but I here good things. The big chains like Petco and Petsmart have good prices on tanks if you are not looking for something high quality.

2/15/2006 9:56:29 PM

I have a saltwater now, and when I move I'm setting up a bigger tank and transferring all my stuff into it. I found a 75 gallon tank, stand, hood, and canopy for 500 bucks at Fish World. Very nice. Anyone know of any better deals?

I'd kinda like a pre-drilled tank...

[Edited on February 15, 2006 at 11:44 PM. Reason : ...]

2/15/2006 11:43:40 PM

I'd keep looking. I bought a 125gal pre-drilled with stand for 300 a year ago from my LFS. Who wants a hood and canopy anyway.

2/16/2006 12:05:46 AM

me! i want the top covered completely because of my curious kitten, i'm afraid The Unsinkable Molly Brown may not know how to swim. The canopy is optional, but i think it is classy.

2/16/2006 12:09:52 AM

at the Pet Pad, obviously

2/16/2006 1:36:16 AM

i've always wanted to set up a HUGE saltwater tank. huge as in the size of a wall.

2/16/2006 1:45:16 AM

^^they don't have 75 gallon tanks

2/16/2006 9:50:02 AM

How much more expensive is the overflow system compare to the conventional HOB filter?

2/16/2006 10:25:54 AM

i use a filstar canister, and depending on the size, they range from 100 to 200 bucks

2/16/2006 11:22:01 AM

Yay! My tank is all clear and little orgranisms are scooting about!

2/16/2006 11:25:28 AM

WOO!!!!

2/16/2006 11:25:52 AM

elise, true, I did get a smaller tank. I've gotten 10s and 20s from there before (mosstly when i kept rodents but the 20 is now a fish tank owned by an apartmentmate, a ten became a fish tank for me while it was up, one of the 10s was destroyed in a move but any tank would have broken).

I had seen larger tanks but not paid much attention to them.

2/16/2006 11:52:00 AM

go to fish world! my friend adam works there and is really knowledgable about all things "fish". also, tell him Anna said HI

2/16/2006 12:24:13 PM

^I liked the prices and supply at Fish World, but there were quite a few floaters.

2/16/2006 1:03:01 PM

I got all my ten gallons or smaller from walmart, they are the place to go for little tanks


I think I'm going to go for Fish World

Anna, tell Adam that I need a discount! j/k, I'm so excited! But I have to wait until we move. Someone break my lease!!!

2/16/2006 2:42:59 PM

depending on quantity/what you buy, he might be inclined to hook you up somewhat...who knows?!

just tell him i sent you

[Edited on February 16, 2006 at 3:34 PM. Reason : add]

2/16/2006 3:34:30 PM

i'll do that

does he get a commission? If so, i'll definitely ask for him

2/16/2006 3:36:07 PM

thats a yes

2/16/2006 3:41:02 PM

is he the only adam there?

2/16/2006 3:42:10 PM

When does Adam work? I'm going to get fish to stock my tank Sat/Sun and will definitely ask for him.

2/16/2006 3:44:06 PM

Lacey and I will hook your boy up...I may not be buying my tank for a couple weeks, but hopefully soon!

2/16/2006 3:45:26 PM

bttt

2/16/2006 6:15:57 PM

Any type of poll I could get to stick in the middle of my tank? I love the idea of my snails and hermit crabs poll dancing.

2/16/2006 9:46:24 PM

I hate to see you buy anything from Fish World. I have seen to many dead fish in that store. I am really good friends with Chris, the new manager of Aqua Escape. I am in there all the time and he will hook you up. I bet he will beat any price on tanks, just to earn your business. It is close to campus, at least go talk to him.

2/16/2006 10:00:46 PM

^I saw several the other day when I went there for the first time. It worried me, but at the same time they have soooo many that casualties are inevitable. One poor urchin was having its legs ripped off one by one by a lobster that was in with it. I was really impressed by Down Under.

2/16/2006 10:05:30 PM

if chris can get me a pre-drilled 75 gallon tank with stand hood, and canopy for 500 bucks i'm there

2/16/2006 10:41:00 PM

Email himmailto:chris@aquaescape.com or call him. Let us know.

2/16/2006 11:33:12 PM

bttt

2/17/2006 10:31:15 AM

Aqua Escape is damn hard to find. And I spoke with some fish experts who said they still wouldn't trust fish from there.

2/17/2006 6:01:45 PM

its on peace street, not that hard to find

2/17/2006 7:05:38 PM

I have bought a clown and a dwarf Angel that are doing great.

2/17/2006 7:51:34 PM

bttt

2/17/2006 11:10:44 PM

^^^Yes it is dammit. It's nestled on a little spec of land just before Capital. Not in the phone book either.

2/18/2006 9:33:22 AM

does aqua escape sell saltwater only or both salt and freshwater fish?

2/18/2006 9:54:10 AM

Hi Elise,
I just talked to Chris, he said he would sell you the 75 gal with overflow with a canopy and a stand for $500.

I am pretty sure Aqua Escape just does saltwater fish and coral.

2/18/2006 12:10:11 PM

^I'm pretty sure that's the going rate anyway. We're going out today though.

2/18/2006 12:40:31 PM

woo!! awesome! let him know it'll be next month, but that is awesome!! he kicks ass!

2/18/2006 1:17:29 PM