Bay Area Reefers, Look Here!

[clamz_of_deth]

Aquarium Concepts is having a coral sale on Friday, Nov 1st, between 3-6pm. during that time, they will be receiving their weekly coral shipment, and all corals will be sold directly from the box for (if I remember correctly) $17.99! make sure to check it out because you can score some really nice stuff there.

 

[Anonymous]

Wheres Aquarium concepts? I live in fairfield

 

[LilFishInBigPond]

Hayward? Around that area, off 880. Use to be @ "A Street Downtown" exit, on C street, but now they are on Foothill or something like that.

 

[monkeyboy]

Heh, somewhat ironic that his first post is a commercial one, don't you think? :roll:

I couldn't think of a worse way to purchase corals than right out of the bag from a wholesaler. It's very hard to tell what may be damaged or even infected when you're checking it out in a bag. Many problems often develop the next day, which in this case would be in your tank!

 

[rikacarl]

"Heh, somewhat ironic that his first post is a commercial one, don't you think?"

True.... but if you live anywhere in the bay area it is worth the drive to that store for a sale like that. so I woud like to know if they have a sale like that.

Also true that the corals could be damaged and die in youe tank, however I would think that they also would have a better chance in my tank than at the LFS. Then again, Aquarium Concepts is a 1st class store.

If the coral I was looking for looked healthy and the price is right, why not?

 

[Anonymous]

I was there last week for the same sale. It was REALLY difficult to tell what was in each bag, the water is murky, and the bags are wrapped in newspaper. You really can't tell if they are healthy or not.
I bought one peice, but I'd rather spend a bit more money for something that I can get a good look at and at least identify what it is!
Jim

Edit ( I should add that it's worthwhile it to check the sale out, and the store is first class as stated above - more than worth the visit)

 

[AgentSPS]

Hmm well the way I see it is...You have a better chance banking on a coral fresh out of the bag from the wholesaler as within a week of hitting the water in Aquarium Concepts tank it will begin to die anyway. Pathetic reeftank IMHO. Even worse is the fact that they have no qualms selling dyed corals. LAME

I only shop there when I have to...

 

[rikacarl]

I only shop there when I have to...

8O
I drive up all the way from San Jose to visit this store. If you only go there "only when you have to" I would like to know which store you have found that is any better.

Or is mail order the way to go? Where do you buy your corals?

 

[monkeyboy]

"Heh, somewhat ironic that his first post is a commercial one, don't you think?"

True.... but if you live anywhere in the bay area it is worth the drive to that store for a sale like that. so I woud like to know if they have a sale like that.

But what about reefs.org's no commercial posts policy? If everyone did that this board would look like FAMA.

 

[wombat1]

Tropical Paradise in San Leandro is a great store. Everyone there is very knowledgeable and they're not in business to "turn and burn" the corals. The ones they don't sell are thriving in their tanks. I know nothing of the store mentioned but with 1 post I'm guessing he works for the store and is just using shady advertising practices. I would never buy a coral right out of a bag without seeing it in a tank.

 

[clamz_of_deth]

Heh, somewhat ironic that his first post is a commercial one, don't you think?

actually, I've been a member of since october of last year.I havent posted in quite a while since I am *very* busy with school. I had to reactivate my account. perhaps that is why my postcount is so low. just wanted to let you know, since I got some really cool stuff last time.

I couldn't think of a worse way to purchase corals than right out of the bag from a wholesaler. It's very hard to tell what may be damaged or even infected when you're checking it out in a bag. Many problems often develop the next day, which in this case would be in your tank!

perhaps it would be hard for you to tell, but not for someone who works there dont you think? if you are unsure, why dont you ask them if a specimen you are interested is in good shape or not? and if you are still unsure, just dont buy it.

Hmm well the way I see it is...You have a better chance banking on a coral fresh out of the bag from the wholesaler as within a week of hitting the water in Aquarium Concepts tank it will begin to die anyway

well thats just not a very nice thing to say. do you have any proof of this? are you saying that *every* specimen within a week of being kept in AQC water will die? I find that quite hard to believe, as they would have a huge number of upset patrons, dont you think? and frankly I find your comments to be quite dishonest especially since you follow up with this:

I only shop there when I have to...

if you find their practices to be so awful, why even bother to shop there? :roll:

Or is mail order the way to go? Where do you buy your corals?

if you feel comfortable with mail order, there can be some very good deals to be had. although personally, I think the shipping hassles are not worth it when dealing in livestock.

But what about reefs.org's no commercial posts policy? If everyone did that this board would look like FAMA.

well, I thought perhaps people would be interested in something like this. after all, $17.99 is a pretty good price for coral, dont you think? I see people posting about "best place for...", or "where to go for...". I didnt think my post was any different.

Tropical Paradise in San Leandro is a great store.

agreed.

Everyone there is very knowledgeable and they're not in business to "turn and burn" the corals.

whats wrong with trying to sell more of a product at a lower price? doesnt it benefit us, as consumers?

I would never buy a coral right out of a bag without seeing it in a tank.

I suppose you would never buy livestock online either then. but that is *your* choice. others feel comfortable doing so, and have reported great success.

 

[wombat1]

perhaps it would be hard for you to tell, but not for someone who works there dont you think? if you are unsure, why dont you ask them if a specimen you are interested is in good shape or not?

Do you think they're going to say "Yeah it's going to die tomorrow!" ??? I've never been to this store but it just seems shady. I know you're just trying to help us out, but we gotta warn the naive folks who don't know any better.

whats wrong with trying to sell more of a product at a lower price? doesnt it benefit us, as consumers?

I could run this operation without knowing anything about fish, corals, etc: 1) Order items wholesale 2) Receive items 3) Sell to customer for profit.

 

[monkeyboy]

perhaps it would be hard for you to tell, but not for someone who works there dont you think? if you are unsure, why dont you ask them if a specimen you are interested is in good shape or not? and if you are still unsure, just dont buy it.

It's hard for anyone to tell, just because someone works there doesn't give them magical powers to tell the future. I unpack shipments all the time and am suprised at what can develop overnight, especially w/ leather's and SPS. Leathers can melt, Euphyllia's can get infected (which NO ONE can tell if it has been slightly damaged in the bag on the way to the shop), SPS can suffer from total or partial necrosis, all overnight.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't think the first post was commercial. It seemed more like someone letting us know about good deals. Either way, it might have been nice to ask rather than attack.
Also, isf you have been at AC on a Friday afternoon, you know they certianly don't need MORE people packed in the reef department.

Mostly, I have been impressed with AC. Sure they sell dyed corals, but all LFS do some goofy things; its the nature of being a livestock retailer. At AC they have told me that corals were dyed. There have also been plenty of other specimans that I was interested in that they told me not to get because they weren't doing well.

There are risks to buying out of the bag and there are benifits. Over the years I have gotten good stuff out of a bag, and bad stuff. The same can be said about stuff I have gotten out of tanks at the LFS.

RR

 

[plankton123]

"bag" sells are nothing new at your local fish store. 6th avenue in SF has been doing it for SW fish/shrimp (sometimes corals) every Sunday morning for years. You can take the bag straight away or for $1 they will open the bag and you can aclimate into another bag before you go home. I've done this twice in my life and both were successful. However, many have bought fish only to have them die within days. It is a risk you take when working with livestock straight off an international flight from south east asia. If you spend some time, though, you'll learn which comes from country and roughly which countries have better capture and shipment methods. But, it is still a risk.

Died corals? <shesh> Hasn't everyone read the articles by Borneman and others? Not a good practice to support at all.

AC is a decent LFS (although I must admit I liked them better back at their old location on C street).

Yup, tropical paridise is a great shop. I bought very nice anthias on bag 'Monday night' for a great deal. Yes, the anthias are doing very well in my 100 and wouldn't hesitate to buy more from Eddie (well that is if I had any more space to add fish). <grin>

Unfortunately, I can't make it to AC today, but I would love to read a fresh report?

Scott

 

[Reefguide]

Can't we all just get along !! [/b]

 

[platapus]

Clamz!

or anyone that has been to the AC bag sale, is this mainly for Softies, and LPS? Are there many SPS as well (small colonies not 2" frags?) $18 for decent SPS sounds too go to be true?

I might try to make it buy there if I ca beat the traffic

 

[psionicdragon]

The 6th Avenue Aquarium shop in SF isn't a very good place to go. There live stocks aren't well taken care of and whatnot. I have bought several items from them on Sundays and eventually they die in a day or so because they were poorly handle. I recently bought a few yellow tangs from them and well, they infected my whole tank. I lost majority of my stock even the onest hat I had for a long time. I am not the only one that has have bad experience iwth them. Besides their poor health live stock, their customer service is intolerable. They are the type that don't care as long as they make money. People continue to go there despite their experiences with their livestocks because of one thing, its cheap. Everything is cheap, but never promised to have a long lasting life. The only time I do shop there is for supplies because its cheap and it won't die on you =P.

I rarely shop their for the corals/fishes. I just browse and buy dry goods.
I shop at a place call Nippons Geary, cross street is Spruce near Mels dining. Nippons have the best people that work their. Even teenagers who are well educated enough to guide you. They have been really helpful to me, imho. One guy by the name of Erny, I believe the owner, helped me a lot even though I didn't purchase anything that day or any day. The livestocks are healthy. I have seen Mushrooms that are blooming! =) it was beautiful. They have a guarentee(sp?) that if your fish/coral dies in a few days, it will be replaced. The price is average, its not bad. Xenias, a frag, for 14.99 =).

Check it ouf if you guys are ever in SF. Nippons is good =)

Sorry hehe I don't mean to sound as if I am advertising. Just giving some insight.

David

 

[peterh1975]

AC -A$$ Crack-
Worst store to shop to. Stick with Tropical Paradise were customer service serves a purpose. AC has no customer service, people are rude. They have an SPS tank full of dead frag with absoulty no water flow. They have somewhat of a moon beam light for the SPS.

If you look at there softie tank there should be a shark there....at least what I saw when they first opened up. And if you need MHs you can purchase it for 119$ !!! for a 10K 175 Watt. They also have a tank that states all corals $$ in this tank....they were all dying and beyond help. I work 5 mins away from there...I think I might just go over there and get a good laugh.

 

[newkie]

I would like to know which store you have found that is any better.

Or is mail order the way to go? Where do you buy your corals?

Persoanally I would choose Tropical Paradise over AC anyday. However AC does have a good fish selection.

Mail order is an option, and what I have been using recently since the drive to TP is a long one from Santa Cruz and I'm willing to pay a little extra to have corals delivered to my door. There are many reputable dealer's with WYSIWYG out there. Without a pic of the specimen itself I wouldn't buy it, even if they swear its a great coral. That's burned me a couple of times... my definition of a "fantastic coral" is more picky than theirs.