Official SoCal Local Fish Store thread - LFS reviews and photos

[Confuse]

Tropical Reef Fish Store - Rancho Cucamonga, CA

I've known Jason for a few years since he first setup his store and I've been shopping there ever since. Jason has a wide selection of fish and I've gotten most of my expensive wrasses from him and anthias too. He's very good about picking healthy fish from the wholesaler and can essentially get you any fish you want if he doesn't have it in stock. TRFS is also the only store in the entire Inland Empire to carry Chefzilla's Chowdown! There are three frag tanks in the store and each has coral for every budget. Jason also carries the essential dry goods like GFO, carbon, and RO/DI filters. He also has a wide selection of dry rock aquascapes that he's created that look really cool and professional. He has various CADLights tanks in stock and can do custom orders from CAD on request. His prices on fish and coral are very competitive and cheaper than any surrounding fish store.

 

[pirate2876]

Any chance someone could make a map with the stores noted? Then keep a sticky at the top of the thread?

 

[Fly5150]

Any chance someone could make a map with the stores noted? Then keep a sticky at the top of the thread?

I think [MENTION=475]MadMax[/MENTION] has a map.


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[xmas_one]

Man, it would be cool to have a map/app that you could pull up on your phone and find out what's nearby when you're out and about. Whenever I'm in an unfamiliar area I head for the busier streets and look for the "blue glow" in the strip malls.

 

[pirate2876]

Whenever I'm in an unfamiliar area I head for the busier streets and look for the "blue glow" in the strip malls.

Me too! I love massage parlors! Um.. I mean...wait a min, that what you meant, right?

 

[MadMax]

I think [MENTION=475]MadMax[/MENTION] has a map.


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http://www.zoyzoy.com/aquarium/aquariumstoresmap.php

We will have our own version on the MAX website soon.

 

[Confuse]

Coral Gazers - Tustin, CA

Many years ago, after a lot of praise on the forums I decided to visit Coral Gazers. The old store was great, but the new store is even better and I've been going since the beginning! Chad always has a huge selection of fish and coral. He goes to the wholesaler weekly, so he's always stocked up. I have purchased a lot of great LPS colonies from Chad at discounted prices. He also sold me my beloved Purple tang that was super fat even before I got him. Chad is also one of the only stores to have a dedicated SPS tank and nice frags at good prices. He also has without a doubt the best designer clowns of any store. He shops straight at the source! He also has a ton of used dry goods for dirt cheap and that's where I found my calcium reactor.

Chad is always down to talk reefs and is more than willing to offer his help even if you don't buy anything. When velvet wiped out my tank, he was nice enough to let me borrow a UV sterilizer for free and bring it back when I was done with it. The store can get very busy, so don't get offended if he's not always able to give you that one-on-one interaction you desire. I always go early mornings right when he opens if I need to discuss something. But don't worry, Luis and Kyle are always there to help when Chad is helping other customers.

 

[SJacob164]

I was about to make the trip out to aquasd for some sps. After hearing they have bad service and bugs I'm second guessing the 65 mile trip...... Any other opinions on aquasd? What about shipwreck cove?

 

[SJacob164]

Back on track reef lounge USA is a great shop. One of the rare stores where the trip out there is worth the money you will save on all the frags. Ps : make sure u go in the hidden back room where all the good stuff is lol.

 

[Confuse]

Reef Lounge - Anaheim, CA

I visited Reef Lounge once in their new shop and was impressed by the selection of fish they had. They had a lot of tangs and angels and less common fish. The store was very well organized with show tanks and large frag tanks. The LPS section is vast, but the time that I went, they didn't have very many SPS. The coral selection is within the midrange. They had some dry goods and a line up of skimmers from small to large. Overall, I would go back if they had a rare fish I was looking for.

 

[Confuse]

Reef Raft USA - Garden Grove, CA

I've been to Reef Raft a few times when Felix was working there and got some nice frags and very good customer service. This summer, I bought a healthy Potter's wrasse and a group of Bartlett anthias. One of the anthias had swim bladder and I was allowed to exchange it. The last time I was at Reef Raft, I was shopping for coral, mainly SPS. But the owner refused to show me his "high end" SPS in the back, saying that he only carried expensive pieces there. I was willing to pay for a nice piece, but he made the choice for me, so I won't be going back. He later apologized for the incident, but that was after I made a thread about it. I'm sure he was trying to save face. Either way, Nick suggested I go to Age of Aquariums to get some SPS and that's what I did that day.

 

[biologicalme]

A great LFS I've been going to since I was 12yrs old is "The Reef" up in Anaheim right on La palma and state college. The owner "T" has been in business for 30+years and he's always been the most professional friendliest guy I've known. He was super nice to a 12yr old kid who'd go in there and ask 20questions/visit 😊. Anyway. He has a huge selection of not just coral, salt water fish and clean up crews, but he also has plants, fresh water fish of all sorts, a huge variety of African cichlids and dry goods. He doesn't sell frags but his prices on colonies are amazing. He says he rather sell them then have them sit in his tanks and risk the coral dying due to over pricing. How cool is that!!? I've bought some real gems from him. My rainbow welso for $40 orange plate for $20 frogspawn colony with 3 heads for $30 just to name a few. His tanks don't look like much at first glance but its worth checking him out. Let him know Eric sent you 😊

 

[Mr.JD]

How about AMAZING Aquariums & Reefs in Orange,

 

[SC50964]

Sandbar Pet Shop
25571 Marguerite Parkway #1-J, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
(949) 768-0422

Don't let the name fool you. The owner, Eric, is a full blooded reefer at heart. His tattoos prove that. I've done business with them for 8+ years, partly coz they are about 2 miles away, but mostly due to the fact that it's a hidden local gem. Eric worked primarily as their fish guy first, and took over the business about 3 years ago. He has since renovated the entire fish and coral system. They carry salt and fresh water livestock, a good selection of LPS, SPS, and frags, and a good selection of dry goods and frozen food. They also have live bloodworms. Eric loves getting exotic and rare fish, but of course it's a business and most people don't necessary go for the rare stuff. I highly recommend this place and again, don't let the name fool you.

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[zigginit]

I was about to make the trip out to aquasd for some sps. After hearing they have bad service and bugs I'm second guessing the 65 mile trip...... Any other opinions on aquasd? What about shipwreck cove?

I have gone a few times from riverside and its been worth the trip. the place has more frags then any other store I have ever been to. you will see if you go. I think they have 2 tank/systems set up to run about 30 feet of frags each. my only down side to them besides the drive is that I feel they make up names and hike the prices on random stuff. but if you go but how the coral looks and not the name then you should be fine.

 

[Dodgerdave]

Didn't want to copy and past a large post but this is regarding Sandbar Pet Shop.
The first time I went there a few months back was because I called and they had red banded trochus in stock. I wasn't expecting much since it was a full pet shop instead of a reef dedicated store, but I was pleasantly surprised. As Scott mentioned, the reefing part of the store is very well kept. It isn't a huge section by any means, but for the area dedicated to reefing, you can really tell it's well maintained.
I go there from time to time since it's the only place that always has red banded trochus in stock.

 

[Dodgerdave]

IGOTCORALS - Best fish/reef store in the OC (only area I shop and visit).
Store hasn't been open that long, but is really coming along. Love going about once a week and seeing the progress on the place. After going to many other LFS in the area, I've made IGOTCORALS my LFS even though there are probably around 3-5 that are closer to me.
Prices and selection can't be beat. They have also stepped it up big time recently in the higher end stuff!

 

[SC50964]

Coral Gazers - Tustin

Chad is a reefer at heart and you can tell just by talking to him. going in there for something quick can turn into an hourlong conversation with never any pressure to buy anything. Store is very clean and his stock of coral and fish is different every time i go in there. Last time I went in, there wasn't much SPS yet but its been a while.

Just adding my experience. Chad's store is very close to my work and it's so convenient to stop by there during lunch break and on my way home. I've known him since it was at its old place, which is essentially just right across redhill Ave. chad is such a good guy, who isn't shy to share his experience with customers. He can get just about everything if you don't see it in his store. He carries a wide selection of LPS. I'm not into SPS so I can't really comment on it. He gets many variety of designer clownfish and that's where I got my helmet Picasso. Prices are definitely competitive. Aside from good tips in just about anything reef or fish wise, I was introduced with many good products such as RedSea nopox, brightwell bacter7, and fauna Marin. I highly recommend this place.

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[mckwestla]

Anyone have any experience with:

Yo's aquarium
Orlanda aquarium
Medusa
Alan's pets and aquarium
Apex in culver city

Or any other Los Angeles LFS??


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[Zoarder]

Anyone have any experience with:

Yo's aquarium
Orlanda aquarium
Medusa
Alan's pets and aquarium
Apex in culver city

Or any other Los Angeles LFS??


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Yo's aquarium on Santa Monica? They are eh. I been there several times nothing catch my attention.

Orlanda I bought two fancy clownfish. They died in less than a day. He gave me store credit but never bought again. Corals are overpriced.

Apex. I went there once. Not real friendly people. Didn't see anything interesting.