I went to the Aquarium Center today. Relative to my experience that place is very expensive. I don't see myself buying anything there. In my estimation the livestock and drygoods run about 35% higher than the Hidden Reef. Now I understand where the South Jersey folks are saying they don't have LFS options.
-
Folks, if you've recently upgraded or renewed your annual club membership but it's still not active, please reach out to the BOD or a moderator. The PayPal system has a slight bug which it doesn't allow it to activate the account on it's own.
Aquarium Center expensive
- Thread starter dppitone
- Start date
+1 I live 5 mins from Aquarium Center. They r veryyy expensive but its the only place close to me so its an only option when I'm in a pinch.
I was there earlier today for the first time and was impressed. Their $15 frag tank had some nice pieces and I was pleasantly surprised at the pieces of coral that were in the $29 tank (decent sized alveopora, torch frags, and acans) Their bangaii cardinals were $20 plus additional 20% off. I thought that was a great price and would have picked some up as that was what I was after, except they were not tank raised. I checked out the frozen food but the roger's food they carry did not have crude protein or fat ratings on packaging so I didnt pick any up. Fwiw I did not look at any dry goods nor make a purchase in the store.
I'm not sure what their lighting schedule is but I was there later in the day and the blue led's were on the frag tanks which made everything "pop".
I'm not sure what their lighting schedule is but I was there later in the day and the blue led's were on the frag tanks which made everything "pop".
right next to their $29 tank. ive learned that you have to inspect every inch of an aquarium store twice before you leave
They only put the blues on. Never whites at least while operational
Sent from my galaxy s4
Sent from my galaxy s4
Are you sure you're not referring to Aquarium Care Center on Rt. 35 in Ocean NJ? Aquarium Center is on Blackwood-Clemonton Rd. in Blackwood, NJ, Camden County.
too many similar names! i stand corrected. i was at aquarium care center on 35.
I just got back for Aquarium Center and I have to disagree about their pricing to a certain degree. For example, they have the Aqua Vitro Salinity huge bucket of salt for $71.99. That is a little cheaper than what I paid for the same salt when I got it during the group buy. I felt the fish were priced OK. They were priced similar to what I have seen elsewhere. For example, they had tank bred seahorses for $69.99 and I have seen them range from 60-75. The coral was somewhat overpriced. They did have some cheaper corals around $18.99 and you could get 2 for $35. I was not really impressed with the selection of corals. I did not look at the pricing for inverts or rock.
My post is referring to the one in Blackwood, which is the same one the OP is referring to.
I've posted in another thread recently about Aquarium Center (in Clementon, NJ)... which is the LFS the OP is talking about. Their corals prices are somewhat high, but as I stated in the other thread, that's because they aren't that experienced in selling them. They have been a mainly fish/plant store with a decent variety of dry goods. They just got into selling corals maybe over the past year or two and they admittedly told me that they base their pricing solely off of what they pay for the livestock they bring in and are not that familiar with normal prices for corals.
That said, I agree with Seahorsekeeper. Their salt prices are always very good and their prices on fish are usually pretty fair for the "common" species in this market. They may have a few expensive fish, but it's usually something that is harder to come by.
That said, I agree with Seahorsekeeper. Their salt prices are always very good and their prices on fish are usually pretty fair for the "common" species in this market. They may have a few expensive fish, but it's usually something that is harder to come by.
I have been going to Aquarium Center for many years (before I could Drive, I am now 35) and seen changes throughout that time. AC has been doing corals for quite some time actually, just not SPS. They use to sell LSP and Softies that were found back left of store now the invert area. Given time I am sure they can figure out the SPS scene.
I was there yesterday (Sunday) with my daughter and really with just the intent to browse and I ended up picking up my Pacific Red Stripe hogfish. The price was just around LA pricing for this size of fish. I pre-researched the fish awhile ago but still asked questions anyway. My only concern was my Mystery Wrasse and from my research the two fish should be okay and I don't have shrimp. Anyway, she (the girl with the piercings) did not think my current stock would be a problem. My only negative is that I wish she told me that this fish is a jumper (which it is) and if I had an open reef tank it would carpet surf. Given that I told her I already have a Mystery Wrasse maybe she figured I knew this already. Overall she seems knowledgeable and if you need an answer go find her
As always do your own research and double check anyway online.
I also wish they and all LFS put a MIN tank size for the fish they stock. I have seen it too many times when another customer is about to buy a "baby" large fish and house it into a 20 gallon tank.
Oh yeah, if they guy I showed off (a bad) picture of my Venustus Angelfish today at AC is on this forum I wanted to wish you good luck if you bought that other wrasse. I know you were looking at this hogfish too that I picked up today, if it matters my daughter really likes "candy cane" (she names them all lol).
My overall point, if the staff is knowledgeable and helpful then the extra few dollars or more expensive may be better then a cheap LFS that is not helpful and knows nothing about the hobby. BTW, looking at some of the reviews of hidden reef's live stock were not that good. I haven't been to HR in ages though.
I was there yesterday (Sunday) with my daughter and really with just the intent to browse and I ended up picking up my Pacific Red Stripe hogfish. The price was just around LA pricing for this size of fish. I pre-researched the fish awhile ago but still asked questions anyway. My only concern was my Mystery Wrasse and from my research the two fish should be okay and I don't have shrimp. Anyway, she (the girl with the piercings) did not think my current stock would be a problem. My only negative is that I wish she told me that this fish is a jumper (which it is) and if I had an open reef tank it would carpet surf. Given that I told her I already have a Mystery Wrasse maybe she figured I knew this already. Overall she seems knowledgeable and if you need an answer go find her
As always do your own research and double check anyway online.I also wish they and all LFS put a MIN tank size for the fish they stock. I have seen it too many times when another customer is about to buy a "baby" large fish and house it into a 20 gallon tank.
Oh yeah, if they guy I showed off (a bad) picture of my Venustus Angelfish today at AC is on this forum I wanted to wish you good luck if you bought that other wrasse. I know you were looking at this hogfish too that I picked up today, if it matters my daughter really likes "candy cane" (she names them all lol).
My overall point, if the staff is knowledgeable and helpful then the extra few dollars or more expensive may be better then a cheap LFS that is not helpful and knows nothing about the hobby. BTW, looking at some of the reviews of hidden reef's live stock were not that good. I haven't been to HR in ages though.