Official SoCal Local Fish Store thread - LFS reviews and photos

[victorhe]

Discount tropical fish at la habra.
I loved this place right when I started this hobby. They offered a bunch of softies and beginner corals at awesome prices. Back then(a year or two back) before the remodel, they had a small and interesting selection of sps corals but this section seems to be gone( I haven't visited this store in months). They still have a large variety of Lps and softies though. The fish section is pretty good also. Customer service is awesome here. At first the store was a family because with the only being a super friendly and helpful couple. Later as the store developed they hired hobbies to work, which also give helpful advice and relate to us. Price is pretty competitive here. Would definitely recommend this store if you are looking for Lps or softies or beginner corals!!


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[Dragon3435]

Tong's - Fountain valley

I really hate this store. I do not like the employees and hate the way they will sell you and tell you anything for a buck. 10g tank? yea 5 tangs is ok... fish died? well thats your fault not ours.. i could go on and on. Bottom like is they always have dying, diseases fish in their tanks and won't do anything about it when you point out that a fish is dead in their tank. They keep their water at 1.019 probably to save money on salt. The only good thing which sadly keeps me shopping at this store is their great selection of plumbing. makes me hate them more that I know when i can get all my plumbing needs.

I hate this store too I never really buy anything from them. The employee are really bad here they keep changing the price on you and mess up with people they think they can rip from.

 

[touchingstoves]

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 -- they are a "yes" store. Everything you ask is yes you can.

Oranda-- I buy my frozen food there. But I bought a light there over priced unfortunately.

Medusa -- bought a nice leather coral, but it came with STD's than a whore working pro bono

Apex? Hmm never heard been.. Any info on them?


I like seahorses. I got nothing clever to say. Boo.

 

[panman]

Nobody has mentioned Seaside Tropical fish in Huntington Beach. They seem to have the greatest selection of fish, coral an dry goods close to South Orange County. I have tried multiple stores closer with poor results. Their prices always are slightly less than anywhere else. The place is large and they usually give good advise. Sometimes it is difficult to understand the owners accent.

 

[ezcompany]

bump!
gonna hit up a few stores and see if I can put some reviews.

 

[iammrhappy]

Don't go to reef lounge if you have a mother that is alive still. Last time Jimmy told me that I should buy his stuff because who knows how long my mom is gonna be alive for. Lol wtf. Crazy MF.

 

[ChevelleJason]

Rainbow Aquarium and Pond - Arleta, CA

Been shopping at this LFS for years now. I went in on a recommendation from a friend and despite only being able to afford a 20L setup, Miguel (Owner) spent the better part of an hour with me going over what I needed and didn't need. I had done my research beforehand on forums like Socalreefs and others so I was ready in case he tried to sell me things I didn't need. He didn't. In fact he talked me out of a light that would have been much too strong for the tank I was setting up.
I recently went back and bought pretty much everything I needed for a 55g upgrade. Again, no hard sell tactics. He flat out told me it was weeks too early for any critters (I knew that already ) and he again steered me away from a 600 dollar light into a less powerful one that would work just fine for my purpose...at less than half the price.
I have been buying water there for years too and they always load it into my car for me. (I have a bad back)
Rainbow is a family owned business where just about everyone in the family works there. Miguel is the owner with his brother. Tony, another brother and their wives work their all the time. Everyone is knowledgeable and honest. When you ask for something, they take the time to make sure to explain how what you asked for works, be it a test kit, a light, a coral etc etc.
The other nice thing about Rainbow is that its clean. I mean pristine clean. These guys present their best foot forward and follow it up with the other foot.

Check em out. You won't be disappointed.

I second this review.

Went in yesterday just to refresh some of my CUC and was pretty amazed by the store overall. Decently priced stuff (when compared to other LFS) and Tony was a great guy. While he was scooping up my turbos and hermits, I ventured over to the frag tank. I understand now, when my wife goes shopping for one thing and comes back with a whole car load! I walked out the CUC, an anemone, frag, frozen brine shrimp, mysis, and silversides. I picked up a very nice sunburst monti frag and I was able to see the mother colony in their display.

When Tony pulled the frag from the tank, some Zoas from a neighboring frag had attached and joking I said "nice, a hitchhiker" and he threw them in at no charge.... about 10-12 heads! ***** in my book.

 

[tygerjace]

Don't go to reef lounge if you have a mother that is alive still. Last time Jimmy told me that I should buy his stuff because who knows how long my mom is gonna be alive for. Lol wtf. Crazy MF.

+1

I believe it. I went in there about 1 month ago and I asked for a price on a coral. After he told me the price, without me saying anything, he said don't be cheap just buy it. lmao. Funny thing is I was going to buy it but not after that comment.

 

[newtothis]

+1

I believe it. I went in there about 1 month ago and I asked for a price on a coral. After he told me the price, without me saying anything, he said don't be cheap just buy it. lmao.

hahaha. That jimmy for you...

 

[reefes pieces]

yeah Jimmy is a pretty nice guy with an awkward sense of humor. I think his jokes just don't translate well. haha