aquarium concepts

[humu]

hi!
I'm going to cali prettysoon and am definetly going to spend alot of time at aquariumconcepts. I just have a few Q'sI would like to ask

-do they have seaswirls and dolphin pumps?
-when do they usually get new coral shipments?
-what days or hours is KEN usually there?
-how is thier workers? great,ok,bastards?

thanks guys
ryan

 

[humu]

^^^^^^

 

[richwill]

Kris's site at store reviews has reviews of San Francisco Bay Area stores. I pretty much agree with his ratings. I've had mixed experience at Aquarium Concepts. When Ken (the owner) is around and in a good mood you get great service. I've often found that some of the other employees don't know too much, they couldn't tell a tubinaria from a top hat.

I think they have the best selection of salt water livestock in the bay area, but that isn't saying much. I've been told they get stuff in on Teusdays (fish), Wednesdays (coral), and mixed stuff on Fridays, but I'm now not sure if that's true.

I had lots of frustration trying to order a 180G tank from them. I kept getting the "two more weeks" answer. Finally, after three months, I was ready to give up on Ken when he came through with a referral to someone who was selling a used 180. I've heard people say that AC isn't what it used to be.

As far as sea swirls and pumps I think they do stock them, but I'd order online. If you catch Ken and show him online prices he'll usually cut a deal if he has an item in stock. I got a great deal on my AquaLogic chiller from him, which he happened to have in stock.

At any rate, if you're in the bay area the store is worth a visit. In September they're planning on opening a new store. Ken claims it'll be the biggest aquarium store in norther California.

 

[North Bay 101]

I have been to Aquarium Concepts three times on Fridays and each time they were getting new coral shipments. The staff has always been helpful even though they were busy putting stock away. Frag prices were great and the coral selection was wide. They even had a good/better/best type of selection. Discount coral section also. I was happy the three times that I was in there.

Ken was there all three times that I was there and they will be moving to a bigger location sometime in September. Hope this helps.

[ July 08, 2001: Message edited by: North Bay 101 ]

 

[BerlinMethod.com]

Hey Rich:

Thanks for driving traffic to my site!

Regards,
Kris www.berlinmethod.com

 

[dieselboy]

Wow....I remember when they were located in this quasi-industrial park somwhere in Hayward...when the setup was kinda like Coralfarms...now they're moving again? To where this time?

Only had one bad experience there. I had already told one of the workers to ring me up for one of the Acros. Cool, done. While I was inspecting it again, this time out of the water, some girl who worked there screamed at me for allegedly putting my hands in the tank and taking the coral out. She rudely demanded to know why I couldn't read the sign that stated, "no hands in the tank". Other employees stood and watched. Calmly told her with a cold stare, "I just bought it." Whoops. Looked like someone dumped some paint on her face, she was so red. Dumba$$.

 

[Tom44]

It is moving to a building on the corner of Foothill and I believe Russell. Place is being renovated before he moves his store over there. Several months away.

 

[Tom44]

Tuesdays and Thursdays are sure bets for something coming in. Ken usually is not in on Sundays and Mondays. He is liable to be there anyday depending on his staffing and what needs to be done. His new store will be nearly 3 times the size of the current one. There are always new employees there so someone won't know much, but there are two (Forget names) that have been around for years that do have some idea of what is going on. Just bought my Aqua C 200 for $379 there. That is his everyday price. Not bad.

 

[BerlinMethod.com]

Speaking of coralfarms, can you still shop there? I left a few voice mails and they didn't call back.

Regards,
Kris www.berlinmethod.com

 

[dieselboy]

Last I heard from Coralfarms, they haven't been importing anything in awhile. That was about 6 months ago. All I know is that the website hasn't been updated in a really long time....?

BTW, anyone know what's up with Reef Science? Seems like they haven't gotten anything in ages, esp. since the fire...heard from a trusted source they *might* be going belly up...

 

[Jazzcat]

Reef Science? Do you mean RSI in Danville, CA? I was just there a few days ago. Picked up some livestock. Things look just fine, lots of stock.

Sales guy tried to talk me into something more expensive than I was looking for. He used this totally lame rationale for why I would want a more expensive fish. Felt like asking him, "Do I *look* like an idiot to you?" Just don't listen to their sales people -- they will try to sell you the moon for twice what it's worth.

 

[slojmn1]

I was at Reef Science in Danville a few weeks back and was expecting something a lot better based on a review I read on a personal website claiming that Reef Science was awesome. WRONG. The place was dismal. All the corals they had were in some state of death or retraction from their shells. The fish looked all right, nothing spectacular. It was a very hot day and they had all the doors open and the result was a very hot store. I was expecting clams, nothing. If you check out their website it makes them sound like they have an incredable selection. I was really disappointed. I had a much better experience at Aquarium Concepts in Hayward and walked out of there with some nice stuff. I'll go back to Aquarium Concepts again, but not Reef Science in Danville.

 

[Tom44]

Wow I am surprised about Reef Science. It was started by the former Oakland A Lance Blankenship and I always liked how he ran the place. I was there last in February and he had 40+ clams all looking very healthy. 100+ corals too. Obviously the must be having a serious problem. I am sure the rent in Downtown Danville can't help matters. Ken of Aquarium Concepts has the right idea. Keep a great store in a lower rent town like Hayward. BTW I can say lower rent for I lived there for 20+ years.

 

[slojmn1]

Despite my thoughts on his store Lance was very nice and helpful. Seemed like a knowledgeable guy, soft spoken and kind. He said we came at a bad time as they had a lot of stuff the week before. I don't know though, disappointed was how I left. First impressions are important and even if you have low stock if it looks healthy then I'll be back.

 

[humu]

thanks for replies

if they don't have a product instock, will they order it for you?

 

[Reefer Dude1]

No, I was just there and things are still bad, compared to what they were before the fire. I have also heard from a trusted source that they are going belly up. They won't even turn on the Air Conditioners in the place. It was hot and Humid in there. I sat there trough the BARE meeting, and I was sweating like a pig.

 

[dsb1829]

I think this thread has really gotten off the topic of AC. I would however like to post up a bit of support for Reef Science. Yes, he is having some problems right now. The slim coral display is testament to that. It is a bummer, considering that he runs what I consider the best operation in the Bay Area. His store is the only one that regularly quarantines fish to ensure health. His tanks are always spotless. The kids who work there are helpful and I would dissagree on them trying to push items on anyone.
Basically his is the best store to pick up healthy fish and inverts. I am really hoping he can pull through. He will be getting in fish Tuesday 7/10 and corals on Thursday 7/12. I will make the trip up there to check it out.
Also don't get me wrong on Aquarium Concepts, I think it is my favorite store. But the disease and dead fish really bother me. His main coral display tanks are great and lit by halides. He also has the most livestock on hand. Unfortunately the prices reflect this.
That is my $.02 on the above discussion.

 

[dieselboy]

I second that statement on Lance's operation. I've been a customer of his for at least the last 8 years, having made my purchases from him back when he was located upstairs at Blue Cove. REALLY cool guy, used to tell me all about the A's days and "stories" about other baseball players, and would even hook things up for me at very nice prices. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the man or his business. I'm also very familiar with the workers there, and I consider a few of them to be friends. None were ever standoffish, and always eager to help, engaging even in off topic chit chat and content to just shoot the breeze for hours, something I almost NEVER get at other stores. However, it's (sadly)undeniable that coral selection has dropped off considerably, especially when compared to the kind of stuff he used to bring in way back in the day, and even sadder still that he *might* have to close up. Lance is a class guy all the way....

So Thursday is coral shipment day? Maybe I'll make the drive and check it out....

 

[Tom44]

Sorry that the topic has switched. I went to RS today to use my 6 month old gift certificate just incase the rumor was true of their closing plus to check things out. I too have been hanging around since the Blue Cove days. I was very surprised at the selection. Very Very little for corals. 50% of what was left was in very poor condition. What struck me most was the last time I was there in March he had 50+ clams. Not a one. They did say a shipment of corals was coming in tomorrow (Thursday) so maybe it's like Aquarium Concepts where everyone jumps on the corals the day they come in. I am not sure. The fish selection was pretty darn good and all fish were in terrific health. Prices are another matter. Small Powder Blue Tang for $89. That's a little rich for me. Superpet Warehouse in Concord had medium sized ones for $69 but the overhead has a lot to do with it. I did score a nice Xenia colony and large clove polyp colony for $55 total. I did not feel like driving all the way back tomorrow. I will call ahead from now on and only go the days a shipment comes it to see what their selection is really like. At AC one third of a shipment is sold the day it arrives. BTW no hint from the guys there about any closing of RS.