Aquatic Warehouse

[sareef]

Just wanted to give everyone a scouting report on the new lfs in town. Aquatic Warehouse is on Gulfdale behind the airport. They have a very small store front and to be quite honest, I wasn't expecting much. Even once you get inside you're not impressed. All they have are a few tanks for sale and some additives etc. in the front room. Pass through there into the back and it opens up into a lfs. Many fish only tanks with things like flame angels ($24.00-$29.00) or a purple tang for only $49.00. They have a pool of live rock that is about 300 gallons and live sand for sale (didn't check prices on either). The big deal to me was the coral and inverts. Many to choose from...actually too many...with prices so low they can't be making any money. Everything looked good. I bought a medium green star polyp for $14 and a torch for $19 and felt like I just robbed a bank. One of the owners (Ivan) was helping me and was very knowledgeable and nice. If you have time, stop by and check it out for yourself.

Will

[captexas]

I myself just stopped in today and was impressed with what they had in a short period of time. They probably had more corals than any other store in town and much better quality and prices. Prices were similar to online store prices without the shipping cost! I picked up a nice trumpet coral colony for $26 and a nice finger leather for $22. Also got my flame angel for only $26! Amazing when the other places in town want $50 for one!

I talked with Ivan as his partner is out of town. They have decided to stick with saltwater aquaria only instead of having some freshwater as well. They still have one wall of tanks to set up due to this decision so even more to come from them. I definately recommend checking them out, just be sure to check their hours first as they don't open till the afternoon.

Their website is www.aquatichousesa.com. I have yet to check it out, but it should list store hours and location for those that are unaware.

Chris

[oceancube]

well i to stopped by the other day, and i liked it,they have a very good selection of corals and fish, there very cheap as well, i talked to one of the owners there, and he told me that was their goal, is to beat all competitors, also said he was gonna start to get alot of supply's, even halide kits, i picked up a colony of zoo's about 5-6 inches big, clusters and cluster's of zoo's for $22, i got home and they were very bright pink with neon yellow rings, very impressive piece, anyways like i said these guys are gonna be hard to beat on prices compared to other lfs , recommend you stop by when you get a chance!!!

[oceancube]

oh forgot to mention, whoever purchased that neon green acro colony, pls frag me a small piece :grin:

[Sherri]

Just came from there also. Was impressed - had a lot of GOOD size corals...at VERY decent prices...bought a leather for $19. Had a lot to pick from. As Chris stated..there will be another wall of tanks to be added. I also spoke with Ivan..very nice guy...knowledgable & helpful. BTW...they are taking checks now. While I was there...he had a steady stream of people coming in. Great to see. Worth a trip out.

Ivan also stated he had had a lot of MAAST members introduce themselves...and appreciated the business.

Sherri

[captexas]

LOL, I spent $75 there today and could have spent a lot more. They had some nice cup corals for only $19 to $28. I ran into Sherri there and she said they had a lot more corals in than the weekend before when she was there.

[captexas]

As Rudy (oceancube) mentioned, prices are great. In talking with Ivan, I stressed that quality is most important and he agreed. That is why they decided against the freshwater section as they wanted to stick to one thing and do it right. As far as competition goes, hopefully the other LFS (Alamo and Texas Tropical) work to improve quality and variety. Low prices are great, but I would much rather have the first two.

It is wonderful to finally have two good quality stores in the S.A. area, Aquatic Warehouse and CB Pets. :-)

[Sherri]

Yeah Chris...they were nice cup corals (2 of them)...really nice orange color and good size. The one thing I noticed was that his corals are ALL great sizes...clusters - not small pieces of frags.

And I have gotten some beautiful corals from CB Pets in Bulverde also.

Sherri

[Markster]

I made my first trip to Aquatic Warehouse today. As said, Ivan was very nice and helpful. Their selection is great and prices are awesome. I look forward to shopping there more often. I live just minutes from CB Pets and they will be hard to beat also once they are fully stocked.

Richard/Ivan...keep up the great work!

[Joe]

Well for the first time since Aquarium Sales and Service shut down I went to a San Antonio fish store (Aquatic Warehouse). I was greeted when I walked in the door, offered assistance and they didn't try to shove anything down my throat that I didn't need for my tank! Wow - customer service, it's a beautiful thing, enough said.

----Joe

PS: Richard and Mark at CB Pets have been nice, competitive and honest each and every time I set foot in their place.

[GaryP]

One thing that I would like to add. They are planning of taking a horse trough and converting it into a frag tank. For someone like me that doesn't have a really large coral budget that is a very welcome development. Sometimes I'd rather grow out a $10-15 frag then plow $60 into a premium SPS. In the long run it can be much more gratifying.

Gary

[JeffCo]

I went by there today as well. I was greeted as soon as i entered the door. I spoke with Ivan for a little while and he mentioned that they will be hosting our next meeting on december 13. I will definately by stopping by this place more often. He said the frag tank will be setup in a couple of weeks, they also plan on stocking some clams as well.

[captexas]

WOW, Ivan knows of our next meeting location before we do! Very interesting indeed.

[GaryP]

OK, I'll bite. Where is the Dec. 13th meeting going to be?

Gary

[shellback]

Spoke with Ivan yesterday the live sand will not be ready for sell for two weeks he wanted to let it season a little.

[shellback]

As I am somewhat new to marine tanks it is rather nice to have a supplier that will admit to a mistake. I like this place thier prices are very reasonable there size is that were they are able to keep an eye on stock.Last week I was picking up fish and saw a panther grouper I have read a little on them and asked how big it would get. I was assured that the fish would only get a inch or two longer. I take him home. Now more reading comes in to play in which I find that they get to 28 inches long. After calling AW and telling them of the mistake they admmited to giving me bad info. and told me to bring him back. I am easy to please and I am happy to see a mistake admitted and not told to **** off.

Glad to have they as one of my suppliers.

Chuck