For me, within the past months all I ever shopped from for my products was ONLY saltwater critters. Russ has became a good friend for me and always looks out for me. He does not treat people like customers. He looks out for one another. I considder russ a silent vendor. He is one of the guys on this site that will actually help you out with a problem or issue and not just say "on just buy this from me" and call it a day. He will try to help you find your problem and figure out a solution and call it a day, and then if you tend the thread asking where you should buy that product to fix your issue, he will randomly go "oh we carry it", and after all the advice, you would never guess he even sold products lol. I go to his place ALOT, and I could spend 10 bucks, or spend 500 bucks, don't matter, he will find the time. And if I want something, and he knows it's garbage, he will flat out say it, not hold back so he can make the sale. When a vendor makes an effort to be a friend, and not a in it for the money, thats why I always buy from him. And honestly, even if he was a bit more expensive then other vendors or lfs, id STILL buy from him. Rather give my money to someone who deserves it then some random website company.
For fish and corals, it varies. Mainly coral has only been manhattan aquariums. I go on Sunday's only, mainly because Sunday they have a couple more people working there I feel or at least available to help me. They do get very busy at times and it gets annoying waiting for service, but is not their fault. So, Sunday's I like to go there and buy my frags. I also like ocean gallery II. They don't have as cheap of frags like manhattan aquariums 5,10,15 dollar frags, but you get what you pay for. Most of the frags are starting at 20 bucks a pop, but your getting a more reasonable size frag or more vivid color. Very nice place. I go to absolute fish, but rarely buy from them. Staff I feel is more in it for the money and inexperienced. I ask questions that I feel they cannot answer, and prices are ..................... Let's just say if you buy 2 decent corals, you maxed your credit card limit for the day. I have not yet been to saltwater critters live stock place over at jims, so I cannot personally say anything about there live stock, but what I can say is I bought 2 corals from them at the frag swap, and they are my top favorite corals in my tank. And the price...I don't know if it was a special swap price or what but super super cheap. If I did make the big trip to go to his place, I honestly would max out all my credit cards instantly there haha. Wayne pet place I stop at only because it's on the way home from manhattan aquariums, but never buy from. Live stock does not look like it use to. Corals are always dead, fish are very inactive and the water is very stagnant. Not to mention they battle algae ALOT. Natures cove is probably the worst pet shop I ever been to. If I had a nickel for every time I heard they wiped someone whole tank out because of ick one more time I'd be a millionaire. Not to mention I don't think anyone wants to spend 35 dollars for a little purcula or 130 dollars for a flame angel. It's hilarious, I use to take pictures of the price tags and send them to friends and they would think it was a joke or prank lol.
So in the end... Saltwater critters is the only place I deal with for products, and for live stock, manhattan aquariums and ocean gallery II are my favorites.
