Work_Puppy
Mon, 12th May 2003, 10:18 AM
7:30 AM… Wake up.. rub sleep from eyes. I check out the responses to my “where to go” topic. Start looking up stuff on Smartpages.com and mapquest.com… some of it was to hard to find, and mapquest’s directions, we found later, left a little to be desired.
8:00 AM… I am out the door. I realize that I do not have an important address I need, it’s on my computer at work, so I turn around, go to work (USAA) go through all the security and sneak into the building.. wearing shorts is a no no! but I get through OK! Armed with the address and phone number I set out again.
8:30 AM… The night before I had the pleasure of pulling my wallet ( a beautiful Christmas present from my wife) out of the laundry, sopping wet. Recover everything important, toss ruined wallet. Now I am at Wal-Mart looking for the cheapest thing I can find until I can get to the mall later and replace the wallet with something nice.
9:45 AM… Still in San Antonio, have met up with Brian, who is dropping off his truck so his wife can get the horse back from the Vet. Were finally on our way.
10:20 or so AM… somewhere south of Austin a pit stop is made for Jack in the Box Breakfast Sandwiches, and some Red Fusion Soda… Brain Opts for the new Moutain Dew Flavor..
11:00 AM… we are in Austin. Map Quest has led us to Charles’ Front door. Problem, we can’t find it. Were driving up and down the street looking for it on the side with all the other odd numbered addresses, or is it even? Can’t remember now, all along, missing the huge 2 story tall sign that says “AUSTIN AQUARIUMS” on the other side of the street.
Finally, after much stress and searching, Brian spots it, I cut someone off, and were in the lot with goofy looks on our faces. (You must understand, San Antonio Is a Saltwater/Reef Wasteland right now, there is some, but nothing like this place.)
We walk in, and are immediately greeted by a young lady with a smile. We see mass quantities of oceanic aquariums, and immediately noticeable are three tanks stocked with live rock, corals, and anemones. Were all over it. As we walk around, whispering to each other about how low the prices are, Charles walks up and introduces himself. We tell him we are MAAST members and next thing you know, were being taken on the grand tour. Everything is explained, from the history of the stores owner (and Charles’) to the massive 150 pounds of fluidized bed filters running in the invert tanks (there is a whole ‘nother one for the Fish.) Let me tell you, you have not seen filtration until you have seen a 6 foot tall fluidized bed system… pretty darn impressive. After that we get to see the Junior Ball Room, where soon classes on dividing corals will be taught (I am sure in addition to other things) (you’ll have to ask Charles or Tim about the ballroom!)
We walk through the dark fish room, checking out the cichlids, and salt water fish, all are in excellent health and gorgeous, you can tell only the best comes in. The Fish room is painted black all over, the glowing lights of the tanks are the only illumination in this room, and it creates an awesome atmosphere. This is the type of place you WANT to come for your livestock, no salt encrusted tanks and 30 year old yellow air tubing here, it’s a really professional setup done right the first time. Charles shows us the the other filtration and live stock room in back, where livestock is quarantined and assimilated to Austin Aquariums Conditions, this is where the massive Live Rock tank is, in addition to what I described to Charles as 3 huge beer fermentation vats full of filtered water await use in the companies tanks, or sale to the customers.
The tour over, Brian and I look around some more on our own, talk to the employees (all of which are very knowledgeable) and check out some really cool products. Brian and I both leave with something, I bought a used Rio 1100 power head for 10 bucks, and Brian got 2 large rocks with great shape and form for 20 bucks a piece. (The live rock is in great condition there by the way.) After a little more discussion and the admiration of some incredibly small yet cool red sea brand desk aquariums (complete with stylish power compact lighting) Brian and I head out with smiles on our faces. Once out the door, we agree, we have been ruined for all other fish stores.
After that, we headed out, thought about looking for some more stores, but agreed what we had done so far made the trip worth it, and besides, map quest had already steered us wrong once, and we were not keen on doing it again. We headed south, where we drove to Heimi / Red Dragon’s house, where I bought a nice little 175 watt MH setup from him for a pretty darn reasonable price. He’s a great guy. Off home, both wives have called at this point.
After stopping for a quick lunch in San Marcos, we decide to try one more store on our trip home, and hit up Critters and Things, a couple impressive tanks, a few mislabeled fish, and we were off again. When we got to San Antonio, we succumbed once more, checking out Polly’s Pets, it was disappointing after what we just saw, so it lasted maybe 5 minutes.
With that, I dropped Brian off at the Horse Barn to get his car, and headed home to go see the X-men with my wife. Oh.. I also made off with all of Brian’s Salt Water Fish and Reef books.. hahh… sucker!  Mission Accomplished!
8:00 AM… I am out the door. I realize that I do not have an important address I need, it’s on my computer at work, so I turn around, go to work (USAA) go through all the security and sneak into the building.. wearing shorts is a no no! but I get through OK! Armed with the address and phone number I set out again.
8:30 AM… The night before I had the pleasure of pulling my wallet ( a beautiful Christmas present from my wife) out of the laundry, sopping wet. Recover everything important, toss ruined wallet. Now I am at Wal-Mart looking for the cheapest thing I can find until I can get to the mall later and replace the wallet with something nice.
9:45 AM… Still in San Antonio, have met up with Brian, who is dropping off his truck so his wife can get the horse back from the Vet. Were finally on our way.
10:20 or so AM… somewhere south of Austin a pit stop is made for Jack in the Box Breakfast Sandwiches, and some Red Fusion Soda… Brain Opts for the new Moutain Dew Flavor..
11:00 AM… we are in Austin. Map Quest has led us to Charles’ Front door. Problem, we can’t find it. Were driving up and down the street looking for it on the side with all the other odd numbered addresses, or is it even? Can’t remember now, all along, missing the huge 2 story tall sign that says “AUSTIN AQUARIUMS” on the other side of the street.
Finally, after much stress and searching, Brian spots it, I cut someone off, and were in the lot with goofy looks on our faces. (You must understand, San Antonio Is a Saltwater/Reef Wasteland right now, there is some, but nothing like this place.)
We walk in, and are immediately greeted by a young lady with a smile. We see mass quantities of oceanic aquariums, and immediately noticeable are three tanks stocked with live rock, corals, and anemones. Were all over it. As we walk around, whispering to each other about how low the prices are, Charles walks up and introduces himself. We tell him we are MAAST members and next thing you know, were being taken on the grand tour. Everything is explained, from the history of the stores owner (and Charles’) to the massive 150 pounds of fluidized bed filters running in the invert tanks (there is a whole ‘nother one for the Fish.) Let me tell you, you have not seen filtration until you have seen a 6 foot tall fluidized bed system… pretty darn impressive. After that we get to see the Junior Ball Room, where soon classes on dividing corals will be taught (I am sure in addition to other things) (you’ll have to ask Charles or Tim about the ballroom!)
We walk through the dark fish room, checking out the cichlids, and salt water fish, all are in excellent health and gorgeous, you can tell only the best comes in. The Fish room is painted black all over, the glowing lights of the tanks are the only illumination in this room, and it creates an awesome atmosphere. This is the type of place you WANT to come for your livestock, no salt encrusted tanks and 30 year old yellow air tubing here, it’s a really professional setup done right the first time. Charles shows us the the other filtration and live stock room in back, where livestock is quarantined and assimilated to Austin Aquariums Conditions, this is where the massive Live Rock tank is, in addition to what I described to Charles as 3 huge beer fermentation vats full of filtered water await use in the companies tanks, or sale to the customers.
The tour over, Brian and I look around some more on our own, talk to the employees (all of which are very knowledgeable) and check out some really cool products. Brian and I both leave with something, I bought a used Rio 1100 power head for 10 bucks, and Brian got 2 large rocks with great shape and form for 20 bucks a piece. (The live rock is in great condition there by the way.) After a little more discussion and the admiration of some incredibly small yet cool red sea brand desk aquariums (complete with stylish power compact lighting) Brian and I head out with smiles on our faces. Once out the door, we agree, we have been ruined for all other fish stores.
After that, we headed out, thought about looking for some more stores, but agreed what we had done so far made the trip worth it, and besides, map quest had already steered us wrong once, and we were not keen on doing it again. We headed south, where we drove to Heimi / Red Dragon’s house, where I bought a nice little 175 watt MH setup from him for a pretty darn reasonable price. He’s a great guy. Off home, both wives have called at this point.
After stopping for a quick lunch in San Marcos, we decide to try one more store on our trip home, and hit up Critters and Things, a couple impressive tanks, a few mislabeled fish, and we were off again. When we got to San Antonio, we succumbed once more, checking out Polly’s Pets, it was disappointing after what we just saw, so it lasted maybe 5 minutes.
With that, I dropped Brian off at the Horse Barn to get his car, and headed home to go see the X-men with my wife. Oh.. I also made off with all of Brian’s Salt Water Fish and Reef books.. hahh… sucker!  Mission Accomplished!