LiveAquaria.com Opens Retail Outlet

[saltyseaman]

This might be a previously discussed topic, so sorry if that is the case.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/general.cfm?general_pagesid=263

Have any of you guys been there? If so, what did you think? Did they have a pretty nice selection of Corals, particularly SPS?

[MiddletonMark]

Interesting. That's pretty far north .... and if I were to drive all that distance I'd probably buy any coral from Gooch in Green Bay.

But ... for dry goods - gets tempting [plus for fish too].

Hmm ... sadly no Sunday hours ... otherwise my fiance and I would be taking a camping trip up there in a month or two. But it would have to be a day trip just for SW stuff ... and that's a good 4 [5?] hours.

Thanks for the info though! :D

[Steve_Aquarius]

I live about 2 1/2 hours away from them. Plan to go but not for a couple weeks. When I called yesterday, the lady on the phone didn't even know they where going to have fish and corals!

As of right now, the supervisor that she spook with said they didn't have much in, so thats why I plan to wait. As for dry goods, they aren't badly priced plus no shipping... just that sales tax :)

[Niven]

Club trip anyone?

[saltyseaman]

Whoops forgot about this thread.

Originally posted by MiddletonMark

Thanks for the info though! :D

NP :thumbsup:

Please update this thread if anyone does visit them.

[MiddletonMark]

Originally posted by Niven
Club trip anyone?

Yep, with a tour/discount?

[hwynboy]

I was told that the outlet in Rhinelander will be for drygoods only. I inquired about this a couple months ago. There will not be any livestock unless they changed their mind. =]

[MiddletonMark]

Well, going by their site, it says

To meet the needs of both freshwater and marine aquarists, the new storefront offers a dynamic selection of the healthiest freshwater fish, marine fish, invertebrates, live corals, and live rock, all backed by our 10-day stay-alive guarantee.

Which leads one to believe that they'll have livestock - which would be nice. But evidently not yet .... still tempted to head up there some time.

[BryanJ]

I have been to the dry goods outlet not much to see. You pick your order out of the catalog and they go into the warehouse and get it. Kind of disappointing when you were expecting eyecandy land. I guess I will have to take the wife back up there for the weekend getaway with the quick stop at the new live Aquaria outlet if the prices are the same all I can say is woo hoo I have a new live stock resource. But I definitely agree with Mark Corals should all come from Goochs.

[sticky]

I am going to try to get up their either Friday nite or Saturday to check out the livestock. I will post back with my findings.

[sticky]

Going tomorrow afternoon.....will report back.

[sticky]

Well, they have some fish..not a very good selection. They have a 90 gallon with some corals and clams. All I can say is if you want to drive somewhere for corals....Goochs...blows them away. For fish, if you like the obvious damels and clowns they have them...nothing special. I am still looking for a good fish dealer.

All in all if I had to drive an hour again..it is a no brainer for me I woill go to Gooch's.

[BryanJ]

Sticky

Aquatic Imports hear in Green Bay has a good fish selection. Definitely worth a look.

[sticky]

Is that the one on Broadway?

[BryanJ]

Off of Main Street behind the bamboo room.

[Scorched_Ice7]

Ive been to the outlet store, I thought they had a fairly good selctions of fish. Its possible they added more since you went. The corals werent for sale but my friend has gone there recently add said they were for sale along with live rock.

[Scorched_Ice7]

Where is Gooch's located, thats one I havent been to?

[GuidoSarduchi]

Scorched.. when were you there? I was thinking of taking a road trip.

[Scorched_Ice7]

About a week or 2. They only have about lets say 20 or so divided areas for SW fish. When i went they had clown triggers, lots of different types of gobies, firefish, clowns. They had a few RBTAs. In their coral tank I seen 3-4 different brain corals 2-3 clams. I thought they had a good selection. If you have their catalog (the coral and fish section) is a good example of things they have for sale there. Also if you want something from the website www.liveaquaria.com you could probably call ahead and ask for certain things in the store when you arrive.

[BryanJ]

Goochs is in Green Bay. Go to his website www.goochscorals.com to make an appointment.

[Scorched_Ice7]

You live in Point! Cool, your the closest person Ive met so far. Im from Rosholt.

[fahz]

Hey Guys:

Greater Minnesota Reef Society of Duluth here. Just returned from Foster & Smith road trip. Thursday is the day to go cherry pick as they get there Fish and corals in Wednesday. They had lots of gobys, wrasses, clowns, etc. infact they had almost everything they have in there catalog and the same for corals. Picked up two gobys, inverts, Anemone crab, and a Derasa Clam and a load of drygoods couldn't beat the prices. when I got home I realized I should have bought at least 3 more fish. Lots of fish we never see in the frozen north. They are still not up to speed but its coming along and the people were excellent. Patti the store manager offered to take us home for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Kevin the director of Live Aquatics delayed lunch to help us with livestock. The young lady whos name I didn't get but was the director of Planted Tanks also delayed lunch to talk with us and the guy from tech support shed his coat and was up to his elbows in the tanks. Patti said they already realize they should be doing more saltwater as people are coming long distances and not interested in freshwater.

By the way Having done business with Gooch he is the man for SPS haven't bought anything else from him. But his service was A#1.

Fahz

[sticky]

Gooch has a mini storefront in his house. If you are after corals....he can not be beat. Only the healthiest stock. You have to go there to understand and see his setup.

Live Aquaria...I must have hit them on a bad day, howvere in my opinion I would still go to Gooch's based on price and selection and most of all the health of the livestock.

My 2 cents.

[Scorched_Ice7]

I havent looked through their store much for dry goods but after looking in the catalog they sent me Id rather go there for my items for my new nano tank. Items for around $15-20 that I normally would need to spend around twice as much for locally. Also if I didnt want to drive, the dry good shipping rate isnt bad at all, between $8-10 for $100 worth of items.

[Scorched_Ice7]

Fahz, did you get to go inside the warehouse to cherry pick, or just inside the outlet store? Because if you can choose from their HUGE WAREHOUSE selection I'm sure its better than any other place in Wi.

[fahz]

Originally posted by Scorched_Ice7
Fahz, did you get to go inside the warehouse to cherry pick, or just inside the outlet store? Because if you can choose from their HUGE WAREHOUSE selection I'm sure its better than any other place in Wi.

The warehouse is pet supply drygoods only. The fish and coral at the outlet store are shipped in from there place in LA. The fish were very healthy and the price was right on the coral and as with every store not everything was perfect. I liked the fact that they had several kinds of fish we never see in Duluth. If anything the size of there fish department is way under sized and they know it. They are planning on a grand opening and a guy might want to hit it on that week.

Fahz

Fahz

[Scorched_Ice7]

My bad, I thought that huge building held most of their live stock and only some items were at the retail store.

[firemouth4416]

Has anyone gone to there warehouse sale around Sept?
Was it worth the trip?

[BryanJ]

Firemouth

How did you hear about the sale. I have been buying from them for years and been to the warehouse, but all you see is a little waiting area with catalogs and some junk equipment on clearance. I never heard of any special onsite sales. Please share the details. Their warehouse is the size of a football field it has to look like candyland in there.

[firemouth4416]

I ordered some stuff from them this summer and they had some info on the invoice regarding the sale. I dont rember all the detais but that sounds like how I found out. I will look at my paperwork for details

[BryanJ]

That would be great if you could find it. I wonder why they don't advertise it more? Oh well any information would be appreciated. Are you in Boulder Junction by any chance?

[firemouth4416]

In July I ordered from Dr Smith & fosters (same company as Live Aquaria) on the bill was a blirb about their "labor day sale at our Rhinelander warehouse"

[BryanJ]

Ok! I know what you are talking about they do it every year but the prices are online just for the weekend. No fliers just sign on and look for your supplies and hope it is on sale. I think I hit a deal on PC bulbs one year.

[sticky]

The Norhtwoods best kept secret. Worth the trip. Labor Day Weekend. Sale starts the Thursday before and ends on sunday. As each days goes on the stuff remaining gets marked cheaper and cheaper. Amazing prices....felt like I was stealing stuff. Crazy....

[BryanJ]

Sticky is the sale in a tent or do you get to go into the warehouse?

[Steve_Aquarius]

The Labor Day Tent sale, haven't made it there yet, but the one lady said that on the last day, the let people get what they could fit into a medium size dog carrier for 5 bucks!

I guess there's a very large line at the start of the sale, I could just image.

[BryanJ]

Well I guess I have plans labor day weekend. I can be up there in less then2 1/2 hours and all it will cost me is a stop at firemouth gallery for the wife. Gotta Love that.

[GuidoSarduchi]

Was at the new facility for the first time on Saturday 4/3. I have to say I was impressed. There aren't any decent LFS in my area... for fish and inverts the selections were healthy looking for the most part, and at good prices. Will definately be returning. The staff was also very helpful.

[slc]

Any one know if they offer live rock at the outlet? Or at least have a special order pickup for live rock. That would be ideal for us. We are under 2 hours away and if they can get the cured live rock directly from LiveAquaria in CA to them ASAP for us to pick up that would be too good to be true.

[GuidoSarduchi]

I saw a sign... I think it said liverock 5.99/lb. I don't remember seeing any LR around the store, however.

[sticky]

Sorry for not replying sooner been busy. Anyways, the sale is outside under a tent and whatever else they can fit in the parking lot in front of the old outlet store. They may move the location this year...different parking lot. It is true that the last day you can basically call your own price as well, but if there is something you are looking for I would say go Thursday or Friday. It is only a 1 hour drive for me and I am going to be there both Thursday and Friday.

Expect a good crowd....if you think the price is too high on something you want you can talk to a clerk and they will work with you on pricing as well. Kind of like a auction almost without anyone else bidding.

Any other ?'s.

[murraythe eel]

Originally posted by slc
Any one know if they offer live rock at the outlet?

I've been calling them weekly to see what the status of live rock is... 2 weeks ago they said they still had to move the holding tanks into the store. Then last week, she said they are now curing the rock and it'll be ready in 2-3 weeks... or near the end of April.

Mark

[fahz]

Originally posted by murraythe eel
I've been calling them weekly to see what the status of live rock is... 2 weeks ago they said they still had to move the holding tanks into the store. Then last week, she said they are now curing the rock and it'll be ready in 2-3 weeks... or near the end of April.

Mark

Last Thursday they did have a tank full of just LR in the front of the store but it looked like they were curing a setup for display. Patti the manager already said they way under estimated the demand for saltwater fish and coral. If the tank in the front of the store is for LR they had better think alot bigger. While we were talking I think someone mentioned a horse watering tank and that is what they need. Its up to the customer (us) to educate them in a nice way as to what we want.

Fahz

[murraythe eel]

Yeah... RubberMaid makes those feeding tanks out of plastic.. they're great. I have 4 of them.. I think the largest is 300 gallons....

Mark

[slc]

We have two 150g stock tanks from Fleetfarm for our sump. One we use as a cover for the other and vent the sump outdoors to prevent metal objects in the basement from rusting. $89 for 150g sump-not bad.

[pplano]

yeah, they set up a show tank in the front with that live rock, was there yesterday, but none in the store yet, they said they were still curing it, so can't really argue that...that had six line wrasses and a good variety of fish at least in what I have for options around wausau (which is nill to none!) and they still guarantee their fish which for me is gold cuz no one around here will do that! Got a beautiful bulb tip anenome and they had the rose anenomes (gorgeous!) but $100 a pop, sorry too spendy for me yet! Chat later!

[murraythe eel]

Hey, Pplano...
I'm originally from Wausau.... which realtor do you work for?

Mark

[pplano]

I am with Century 21 TriCity in Schofield...I've been over to appleton to that Pet store that is in the back of the Pet supply store oh, I can't remember their name, weird setup, nice stock though...have you been to gooch's? I may have to take a trip that way some time! take care!

[lorifish]

AT the Labor day sale, do they sell fish, corals too?

[murraythe eel]

Pplano- The store you're thinking of is Pets Supplies Plus. He doesn't have too bad a selection of fish, but he's got some weird policies. There's another place on the east side of Appleton called Animal Adventure... it's another "full service" pet store-- dog food; cat food; birds, etc... but he does have some nice corals there. I haven't been to Gooches yet.. planning on going soon. Next week the wife and I are going to go visit my mom in Wausau and then on the way back to Appleton stop at Drs. Foster&Smith in Rhinelander (yes- I know it's not "on the way".......;) )
And I was just asking about the realtor as my brother is in that line of business-- he's Better Homes & Gardens... small world...

Mark

[murraythe eel]

Pplano- The store you're thinking of is Pets Supplies Plus. He doesn't have too bad a selection of fish, but he's got some weird policies. There's another place on the east side of Appleton called Animal Adventure... it's another "full service" pet store-- dog food; cat food; birds, etc... but he does have some nice corals there. I haven't been to Gooches yet.. planning on going soon. Next week the wife and I are going to go visit my mom in Wausau and then on the way back to Appleton stop at Drs. Foster&Smith in Rhinelander (yes- I know it's not "on the way".......;) )
And I was just asking about the realtor as my brother is in that line of business-- he's Better Homes & Gardens... small world...

Mark

[sticky]

Murry and Pplano, make sure you schedule an appoinment with Goochs...as he fills up his time very fast.

lori, they will have fish and corals there this year because of the new outlet store, however I would not count on any sales on those items.

[murraythe eel]

Thanks Sticky.

I see you're from Wausau, too.... if you don't mind my asking, where do you work at? I see you're a bowler.. me too....(well- I show up every week and throw the ball 60 times.. I'm really there for the beer! ha-ha)

Mark

[pplano]

oh, who is it, I worked at Security...or better homes and gardens, now GMAC for 1.5 years with Bill S....then went back on my own. Yeah, only one hour and 5 minutes to get to live aquaria from my side of town! Don't expect some huge saltwater/fish area, it isn't, but the corals they do have look very nice and their fish selection is great! Next time I go the appleton way, I may have to ask directions to animal adventure...or if you want to email me at pplano@msn.com...thanks!

[sticky]

Murray, I work at Crystal Finishing Sytems Inc. in Schofield. We paint just about anyting and everything.

[pplano]

My husband worked there about 8-10 years ago..Paul Plano? He works at Yach's...oh, how funny! I live just across schofield ave from there! Hey I've been talking with brian from marshfield, he is trying to buy the go-kart place to turn into a pet store...he gets some ok stuff in, much better than roe's! I'll keep ya posted!

[lorifish]

It is funny you mention Brian in Marhsfield, I drove through there the other day and stopped at the Lfs and was really impressed with his corals. I didn't even know they had a store, so it was a pleasant surprise

[pplano]

yeah, he won't let you buy something that isn't doing well, and he knows a good deal of info, I've purchase several awesome pieces of live rock out of the vat in the back and he only charges me 5.99 /lb which in our area is the best i've seen without driving to appleton! Got my blue mushroom and some pink star polyps and some green polyps from him...and he'll sell the small frags for 5-10 bucks...has some awsome anenomes too! Watch some of his supply prices though...I think he has to charge a little more than others though cuz he's smaller.

[slc]

Went to the Outlet store last Thursday. Like a kid in a candy store! Best of both worlds-practicaly unlimited choices with "get right now" instant gratification. Got the cutest sleeper gobe, emerald crabs, yellow watchman gobe. Service was amazing! It was a last minute trip and got there late. Even though it was just before 5:00 they were happy to fill my order from the warehouse and even escorted me to the warehouse office (since she was getting off work and it was on her way). The lady at the warehouse office was talking about the founders Dr. Foster and Dr. Smith and how they are right there in the warehouse helping with orders and shipping during their busiest times of the year. Very nice people. They do need a different liverock system though. One small 55g tank. Not even enough for one of my tanks. One or two customers and the whole lot is gone.

[pplano]

hey, I was just there and didn't even see the live rock! Where was it at? Saw all the other stuff you mentioned...I was there just this past monday!?

[lorifish]

Is this the auqaria outlet....r they the ones with the big labor day sale then?

[fahz]

Originally posted by pplano
hey, I was just there and didn't even see the live rock! Where was it at? Saw all the other stuff you mentioned...I was there just this past monday!?

The tank with the rock was in the front left hand side of the store by the checkout. I trust you didn't see the underlit cube tank with the Ricordias and other softies in the front right hand side fo the store either.

Fahz

[fahz]

Originally posted by lorifish
Is this the auqaria outlet....r they the ones with the big labor day sale then?

Yes and Yes but a long way for you to travel 3 1/2 hours from Duluth.

Fahz

[lorifish]

I am in WI, so it may not be too long of a drive for me actually

thnx

[sticky]

If you like their corals...you have to go to Goochs in green Bay just once. I have been up and down the state of WI. and by far he has the nicest looking corals around.....second place I would give to Live Aquaria in Rhinelander......both of these ranked on quality and price....third Hoffer's.....but expensive!!

[lorifish]

hey thanks! ...Where is Hoffer's? Yes, I am certainly going to make it over to Gooch's sometime!! I already emailed there with some questions after reading about the place on this board

I will have to go to Live Aquaria too. I need to get my Wi map out. I have never been to Rhinelander

I think I am hour and half from Wausau. Do you sell frags/corals? I do not have anything to trade yet as I just have my clowns (basically) and they are pretty priceless. ;)

[pplano]

Actually saw the tank in the front, but last time I was there, they said it was display only...and they had some corals in it...saw a couple ricordia's in there...but didn't see a tank with just ricordias, but I was also bee-lining it to the back cuz they were busy and thought I might be missing out on something!

[Scorched_Ice7]

Theres a Nano-cube in the corner by the sofa - its darker in the tank than the room lights. I cant believe they got coral to much less survive in there. There are a bunch of zoos, rics, xenia, and leathers in it.

[pplano]

nope, totally missed that tank! WEll hopefully they will comply with the sw demand of wisconsin and keep nice stuff comin' in!

[ginshun]

I am new to the hobby and just set up my first tank a week ago, I was thinking about getting some live rock to put in. When I called Foster and Smith yesterday, they said that they have live rock available for $5.99/lb. I called also to Roe in Wausau and M&S in Tomahawk and they both wanted $8-$10/lb.

F&S is less than an hour away, I think I might stop up there this weekend.

[slc]

Originally posted by ginshun
I am new to the hobby and just set up my first tank a week ago, I was thinking about getting some live rock to put in. When I called Foster and Smith yesterday, they said that they have live rock available for $5.99/lb. I called also to Roe in Wausau and M&S in Tomahawk and they both wanted $8-$10/lb.

F&S is less than an hour away, I think I might stop up there this weekend.

Let us know if their live rock is ready for sale. It was still curing when I stoped there a few weeks ago.

[fahz]

I was there on April 29 prior to there Grand Opening week and they have it in stock and it is for sale @$5.99 per pound. The rock is in the backroom in a holding tank and is cured. We are a new club in Northern Minnesota and Foster & Smith have been extra nice to us. Highly recommend the company as a first class operation. Look for Jodi in the fish department and she will give you A#1 service.

Fahz

[pplano]

yeah, jodi is excellent, been there several times my self and was just there on thursday (the 6th of may) someone else was buying live rock when I was there and it is in the back room, gotta ask. Got a beautiful bristlenose tang or yellow eye tang as some call them...he is doing awesome! Comes out of his tupperware cubby in the qt when we stick our faces in front of the tank! Also got a silver branch pulsing xenia on sale was $56.99 orig. on sale for $30! 3 large branches on one 1/2 clam shell...I am glad they are a drive for me cuz that place is bad news for spending my money! Have Fun!

[aberg12012]

Originally posted by pplano
I am with Century 21 TriCity in Schofield...I've been over to appleton to that Pet store that is in the back of the Pet supply store oh, I can't remember their name, weird setup, nice stock though...have you been to gooch's? I may have to take a trip that way some time! take care!

It's called "Just Pets" and they are the devil reincarnate of pet stores... they fit the stereo type very well. They are in the back of Pets Supplies Plus, but to my knowledge have no real affiliation with them other than they probably rent the store space from P.S.P. Perhaps you notticed the state of health their reptiles were in as well... very sad situation. Every time I go there I find myself grinding my teeth. They seem to have a nack of trying to sell native things as well... like large mouth bass and garter snakes among other things. This is something I find unacceptble, trying to make money from animals you find in your own back yard. I hear they got caught, along with a few other major pet stores in the valley. Didn't mean to derail the thread though... I just feel very strongly about his store and how they care for their animals.

[gooch]

I think all the stores in our area have many positives. I would like some of them to give better information when it comes to reef tanks. My biggest gripe is all the people that come to me with 40 watt flouresent lights on the top of the tanks they have. It takes me hours and hours every week to explain the importance of lighting. Many people walk out thinking I am trying to rip them off. But I refuse to sell livestock to a lot of those people so I do not know how I am ripping them off.

And please stop telling them Power Compacts are the ultimate in aquarium lighting.

gooch

[ginshun]

I stopped in to the F&S retail store this weekend, and yes they do have LR for sale for $5.99/lb. If you ask one of the workers, they will take you into the backroom and you can pick out your own piece from a holding tank. They had roughly a couple hundred lbs of rock there that was pre-cured and ready to go, and another tank obove that one that the cleark told me was partailly cured and would be done in a few weeks.

Overall I have to say that I was pretty impressed with the place. They had a good selection of fish and inverts/corals, and there prices were very good. I will probably go back in a month two when I am ready to add some fish to my tank.

I have a 30 gallon tank that I just set up a little over a weekago that I was planning on just keeping a FO tank, but this weekend I picked up a 12lb chunk of LR just for the fun of it. The tank has 1 damselfish in it that I was using to cycle it (which I have now learned seems to be looked down upon) I have a cruched coral / live sand bottom and a biowheel 170 filter along with a Seaclone 100 skimmer and a 200W heater. I think that all I really have to do to it now is routine maintanance/water changes and wait.

[aberg12012]

Gooch... I'll second that!!! Wish I could have heard that from you a year ago when I set up my tank with PC's!

Anyways, as far as the LR at F&S, what type did they have? Figi I assume? I dunno... I've really changed my mind about buying any "wild" rock.

I just started curing 45 lbs of aquacultured rock from www.reeferrocks.com. The rock was simply awsome as far as I could tell from it being dry for a day in shipment. And it was only the "good" live rock, that is aparently not as full of life as other premium rocks they sell. It's full of macro's, coraline, sponges, (well, dead sponges now,) and even some mushrooms I think I saw on them. The rock was $3.75 per pound, and I had it shipped over night next day air, which added $136. So came out to $6.77 per pound, for rock that I can be sure is ecologically friendly. The guys down in FL have really done ALOT of work to get this aquaculture of LR going. Why not support them! Maybe there are reasons not to... so far I've heard nothing to the contrary though...

[firemouth4416]

Are they haveing a warehouse sale at the end of August?

[pplano]

I'll ask, I have to stop in there today.

[dakar]

Talked to them a couple weeks ago they have a scheduled 'Tent Sale' thurs-fri-sat over Labor day weekend. From what I understand it's an annual event, with prices dropping each day on whatever is left from the previous day. Some folks have claimed to have gotten some great deals on stuff.

No personal experience besides ordering a ton of stuff from them constantly, it's only about a 4 hour drive up there so we have a tentative plan on making a run up there this year to see..

[pplano]

well it is Sept, 2, 3 and 4th and I talked with Rachel a bit and she said it is absolutely crazy, that people camp out for this! She said that it opens at 8 am and if you get there at that time you would be waiting until 10 am in line to get into the tent---only so many people allowed in at a time from what I understand. But if you don't get there the first day, most of the good stuff is gone. That's the scoop of what I know! If anyone goes, let us know what it's like if it is worth the wait, etc. :)

[firemouth4416]

Is it aquarium stuff or is it dog and cat crap?

[pplano]

all of the above...apparantly it is mostly items that have been returned and have no defects.

[fahz]

We should all hold an RC meeting in the parking lot Thursday morning it could become a cult thing LOL.:mixed: Look forward to meeting you all Sept 2nd. I'll bring the name tags.

Fahz

[BryanJ]

So what your saying is if you can't make till the 4th don't bother making the trip. I guess I will have to try and rearrange my schedule.

[pplano]

Well, that is what one of the employees working there said..."the good stuff goes the first day"... Never actually been to it, so don't really know myself. Let me know how it goes!

[ginshun]

I was planning on hitting the retail store that weekend anyway, so I guess I will swing by on Saturday and see what they have left. I need a refractometer and some more live rock either way. We shall see.

[fahz]

Originally posted by ginshun
I was planning on hitting the retail store that weekend anyway, so I guess I will swing by on Saturday and see what they have left. I need a refractometer and some more live rock either way. We shall see.

Order a refractometer ahead for pickup in the store and get the RC price can't beat $35 see RC sponsor ad. You can call in your order for pickup and if you find one cheaper ( I doubt) pass on the order. A lot of our club member have bought them and been happy with the quality.

Fahz

[angieg1123]

I plan on going Sept. 2nd. I will be one of the crazy people there "camping out". I called them today and they have over 200 lbs. of fully cured live rock ready now. I will let ya all know how it goes.

[fahz]

If you missed the first day of the sale you missed out on some real deals like $800 chillers for $250. Still deals to be made lots of PC lighting which was hard to pass on just for the price. This is a combination sale of everything they sell for all pets not just fish, lots of pigs ears. Everybody I talked to was a member of RC and the guy and his wife from Lima Ohio were from the farthest away. The three ladies from Wis had there car so full they didn't have room for there suitcases what a hoot. Oh and the F&S people working at the sale and in the store were the greatest.

Be sure to check out the new ORA SPS tank in the store even had Blue Torts. Mine is really blue in my tank this morning.

Fahz

[fahz]

Hi all:

Hope everyone in your Society had a great holiday season. I thought I would post a little update regarding a Labor Day frag swap during Foster & Smith's Tent sale. I talked to Kevin Kohen the director of Live Aquaria in November about my frag swap idea and he said he would approach the company. He got back to me just before Christmas and said the company had OK'd such a swap in there parking lot during the Labor Day sale. I'm not sure how many of you know how big a swap can be but take a look at the recent Southern Cal. swap posts on RC. Let me know what you guys think I know my Society and the Minneapolis Society thought it was a great idea?

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=444455

The other key part of this is Foster & Smith is in the planning stages of a state of the art aqua culture and holding facility in Rhinelander. This facility should be up and operating by the time the swap rolls around and ready for tours.

Fahz

[BryanJ]

Count me in. I will have enough pink zoos and green striped mushrooms by then. I may even have to set up a prop tank to store frags. But right now I need to finish tweaking the new fuge and get my corals acclimated to the new lighting.

[horkn]

funny how someone mentioned hoffers tropic life.

i live about 15 minutes from there, and i got a gift cert for christmas for hoffers. service there sucks, and i was told poor info by the guy that "knows everything" there about a corals feeding habits. i will not go there again, on weekends its a zoo, it seems evry parent brings the kids there to gawk, and on weekdays, they just sit around and dont bother to help anyone. you need to hunt a worker down to get anything.

and yes they are expensive over 20 dollars for a tiny pebble with 3 yellow polyps on it, 45-70 dollars for most evrything in their tanks, as far a s corals. 35 bucks for a mushroom rock with 2 or 3 shrooms?


i need to get up to gooch's yet this summer.

i like fosters and smiths retail outlet. i have a cottage in tomahawk, but its really not on the way back home. but i still manage to get there a few times...

i handpicked about 30 pounds of fiji LR from back in their vat, and the guy i dealt with gave me a deal on it for like 3 dollars a pound. i dont expect that to be a normal deal though...

i would like to say i will be at the sale, with corals to swap, as i will have enugh of something by that time, but it jsut doesnt sound like something the GF would think was fun....

[fahz]

Labor Day is a long way off maybe by then we'll hit on something that interests you. The Foster & Smith people have always been a pleasure to deal with and go the extra mile on service.

Fahz

[horkn]

yeah, i always try to get to the retail outlet when i head to my cabin...