Sherita
Wed, 22nd May 2013, 07:44 PM
I recently visited Rift2Reef Aquatics in Flower Mound, Texas. The owner graciously allowed me to take photographs in his store, and I would like to share my experience with everyone. Please bear in mind, I'm not a professional writer, nor am I a professional photographer :)
Rift 2 Reef Aquatics
5801 Long Prairie Rd #740
Flower Mound, Texas
75028
Ph. 972-317-2341
www.Rift2Reef.com (http://www.rift2reef.com/)
Rift2Reef is located in a fairly large shopping center, so be prepared to do a little bit of hunting in order to find it. There is plenty of parking, and the store is easy to access from the parking lot. The store is well marked.
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/storefront.jpg
There are two things you notice when you walk in the door. The first is this beautiful indoor pond, stocked with large, and very healthy oscars and koi.
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/Pond1.jpg
The second thing you notice is the distinct lack of a fishy/fish store smell. This store smells *clean*. And, not only does the store smell clean, it is very clean and neat. No clutter on the well swept floors, shelves were dusted and organised, and everything is well lit. I wonder if I can hire these guys to clean my house?
The store has a spacious layout. Folks can move around inside without bumping into one another. There are display cases filled with high end products, beautiful tanks on display, and all types of equipment and hardware. A fish nerd can waste a lot of time just window shopping (don't ask me how I know this).
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/display1.jpg
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/display2.jpg
They have an extensive freshwater selection. I saw lots of fat and sassy freshwater fish, and some lovely live plants for aquascaping as well.
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/fw1.jpg
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/fw2.jpg
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/fw3.jpg
But I know, you all want to hear about SALTWATER! Right? Well, here ya go.
Entering into the saltwater section (on the right, freshwater on the left).
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw1.jpg
You will find something for everyone in their saltwater area. From zoas and softies, to high end sps. And everything in between. Lots of healthy fish, and their tanks are cleaner than mine!
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw2.jpg
When I say clean, I mean it. There isn't even any algae hiding at the water line:
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw3.jpg
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw6.jpg
Corals galore! From lotsa sweet zoas and palys:
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw7.jpg
To beautiful rock nems:
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw9.jpg
To all the sticks your heart could desire!
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sticks1.jpg
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sticks2.jpg
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sticks3.jpg
Their main display tank holds some treasures as well:
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw10.jpg
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw11.jpg
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw13.jpg
The helpful staff is never far away if you need assistance, and all that I spoke too seemed quite knowledgeable and very friendly. Questions were answered honestly, and I never felt like I was being given the "hard sell". All of the livestock appeared to be very healthy, and nary a dead or sick fish in sight. Dane has an extensive QT system in the back of the store, and seems to go to great lengths to ensure the health of his fishes.
If you happen to be looking for that little sumpthin' sumpthin' special, Rift2Reef does special orders, and can very likely find that elusive coral or fish that you have been searching for.
Prices are quite reasonable, and most of the corals were of a good size. I didn't see a single coral booger frag in the entire store. After I picked out my purchases, we talked reef for quite some time. I never felt rushed, harried or pushed. This store feels like a reef club, that just happens to sell livestock.
If you ever get up to the Dallas area, I highly recommend you take the time to make the drive over to Flower Mound to visit Rift2Reef. You won't be disappointed. But you might want to hide your credit card, or take a bigger cooler, because this is one big, very well stocked, reef candy store.
Rift 2 Reef Aquatics
5801 Long Prairie Rd #740
Flower Mound, Texas
75028
Ph. 972-317-2341
www.Rift2Reef.com (http://www.rift2reef.com/)
Rift2Reef is located in a fairly large shopping center, so be prepared to do a little bit of hunting in order to find it. There is plenty of parking, and the store is easy to access from the parking lot. The store is well marked.
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/storefront.jpg
There are two things you notice when you walk in the door. The first is this beautiful indoor pond, stocked with large, and very healthy oscars and koi.
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/Pond1.jpg
The second thing you notice is the distinct lack of a fishy/fish store smell. This store smells *clean*. And, not only does the store smell clean, it is very clean and neat. No clutter on the well swept floors, shelves were dusted and organised, and everything is well lit. I wonder if I can hire these guys to clean my house?
The store has a spacious layout. Folks can move around inside without bumping into one another. There are display cases filled with high end products, beautiful tanks on display, and all types of equipment and hardware. A fish nerd can waste a lot of time just window shopping (don't ask me how I know this).
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/display1.jpg
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/display2.jpg
They have an extensive freshwater selection. I saw lots of fat and sassy freshwater fish, and some lovely live plants for aquascaping as well.
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/fw1.jpg
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/fw2.jpg
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/fw3.jpg
But I know, you all want to hear about SALTWATER! Right? Well, here ya go.
Entering into the saltwater section (on the right, freshwater on the left).
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw1.jpg
You will find something for everyone in their saltwater area. From zoas and softies, to high end sps. And everything in between. Lots of healthy fish, and their tanks are cleaner than mine!
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw2.jpg
When I say clean, I mean it. There isn't even any algae hiding at the water line:
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw3.jpg
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw6.jpg
Corals galore! From lotsa sweet zoas and palys:
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw7.jpg
To beautiful rock nems:
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw9.jpg
To all the sticks your heart could desire!
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sticks1.jpg
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sticks2.jpg
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sticks3.jpg
Their main display tank holds some treasures as well:
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw10.jpg
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw11.jpg
http://coralbeauty.us/Rift2Reef/sw13.jpg
The helpful staff is never far away if you need assistance, and all that I spoke too seemed quite knowledgeable and very friendly. Questions were answered honestly, and I never felt like I was being given the "hard sell". All of the livestock appeared to be very healthy, and nary a dead or sick fish in sight. Dane has an extensive QT system in the back of the store, and seems to go to great lengths to ensure the health of his fishes.
If you happen to be looking for that little sumpthin' sumpthin' special, Rift2Reef does special orders, and can very likely find that elusive coral or fish that you have been searching for.
Prices are quite reasonable, and most of the corals were of a good size. I didn't see a single coral booger frag in the entire store. After I picked out my purchases, we talked reef for quite some time. I never felt rushed, harried or pushed. This store feels like a reef club, that just happens to sell livestock.
If you ever get up to the Dallas area, I highly recommend you take the time to make the drive over to Flower Mound to visit Rift2Reef. You won't be disappointed. But you might want to hide your credit card, or take a bigger cooler, because this is one big, very well stocked, reef candy store.