Miguel
New Member
Trying to find a good store to start going to. Been to nemos aquarium and pure reef. Nemo's has a better coral selection. Pure reef just seemed really pricey for everything
Stores
- Thread starter Miguel
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Atlanta Aquarium is our main go too. Rit always says hit it is and helps us out.
I go to both Nemo, never been to pure. Atlanta Aquarium is Awesome too!! For coral, try Frag lab as well. What kind of stuff are you looking for? We could have stuff for you too!! Lol
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Atlanta Aquarium is my go to. Rit(the owner) is awesome. Classic city in Athens is also a great place to go to. Worth the trip.
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Duluth is probably the hub for both retail stores and local hobbyists.
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Rit was the place I went to driving over 90 miles one way. I’ve witnessed RIT sale customers what they needed. Some salesman try to sell you the best and most expensive, not RIT. It was well worth the trip.
- wannabee
P.S. Don’t forget to ask for the “in house” sales.
I went to Atlanta Aquarium today and it was packed. They have an incredible coral selection. 5-6 more months and I’ll be there ready to buy!
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IMHO; “Atlanta Aquarium“ RIT’s store is the best in the ATL area.
- wannabee
- wannabee
We have been going to Rits almost every weekend for months now and these past few weekends he has been slammed.
Stopped by Nemo’s today for the first time. All I can say is .... wow! Picked up a Duncan and Frogspawn, but could have easily dropped $500. Can’t wait to go back, they have a torch with my name on it!
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Very glad to hear all the praise for Atlanta aquarium. Nemo's is pretty dope, too btw... Rit always does a good job on educating, but you gotta find him and ask!
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Don’t always look at upfront pricing when looking for an LFS. Look at everything and it might save you more in the long run.
1. Look for one that’s clean and organized. This is huge for me. Shows that the owner/staff cares to take time to maintain their showroom and will most likely reflect in their livestock.
2. Overall health and appearance of their stock is big too. Let’s say LFS 1has a fish/coral for 20 and LFS 2 has the exact same fish/coral for 40. But the fis you bought from LFS 1 has had always had some issue, or died and you replaced a few times. But LFS 2 at double the price has never had any issues. Some might use this as a comfort they are willing to pay for.
3. Availability is a big consideration as well. Sometimes you never know what things cost wholesale wise. 1 week a specimen can cost 10-100 depending on it. Yellow tangs if a recent example. Went from 40 to 200 real quick.
Althought pricing a huge part of the hobby, I would never use that as the first thing I judge a LFS on.
1. Look for one that’s clean and organized. This is huge for me. Shows that the owner/staff cares to take time to maintain their showroom and will most likely reflect in their livestock.
2. Overall health and appearance of their stock is big too. Let’s say LFS 1has a fish/coral for 20 and LFS 2 has the exact same fish/coral for 40. But the fis you bought from LFS 1 has had always had some issue, or died and you replaced a few times. But LFS 2 at double the price has never had any issues. Some might use this as a comfort they are willing to pay for.
3. Availability is a big consideration as well. Sometimes you never know what things cost wholesale wise. 1 week a specimen can cost 10-100 depending on it. Yellow tangs if a recent example. Went from 40 to 200 real quick.
Althought pricing a huge part of the hobby, I would never use that as the first thing I judge a LFS on.
Agree, #1 and #2 are big for me too! I haven't purchased livestock online because I can't verify how clean they are and the health of their stock. I'm not saying I won't but I'm a little hesitant. On a side now, I happened to stop by a "big box" pet store yesterday and swear one of their fish had ich. I've only been in this hobby for a few months, but a fish covered in little white spots should not be in another tank with 10 other fish.
Similar to #2, but different “How do they treat their livestock?”
This includes: do they have a hospital tank (maybe in the back or at a separate facility)? Do they give them a varied diet? Etc... Basically do they treat them like living animals, or like $$$ in a pipeline that they’re looking to liquify as quickly as possible?
This includes: do they have a hospital tank (maybe in the back or at a separate facility)? Do they give them a varied diet? Etc... Basically do they treat them like living animals, or like $$$ in a pipeline that they’re looking to liquify as quickly as possible?
I’m new to the area and just restarting my 20 year hobby after 4 years off (and selling everything). This helps a lot. Googling for “Atlanta Aquarium” is a tedious task but I assume it’s the store in Duluth?
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Yes it is right off Pleasant Hill and Satellite Blvd
Atlanta Aquarium
Atlanta Aquarium · 2131 Pleasant Hill Rd #142, Duluth, GA 30096
★★★★★ · Aquarium shop
Pure Reef is real close to you. It’s a great store, but a little pricier than others. If you’re driving to Atlanta Aquarium, you might as well drive to Nemo too
Yep PureReef is a 5 minute drive for me. I visited them yesterday. Really nice store, nice people, but a bit more pricey than I’m used to. I’ll try to hit the other stores you guys recommended.
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