Good LFS on the NW side of San Antonio?

[DarkHorseMBA]

Heading over to Gabe's with the kids to pick up some supplies and maybe some new additions.

I like Gabe's but they don't always have what we are looking for. I know I can order fish, I prefer to get live stock local.

Can anyone recommend a good LFS on the NW side of town?


DarkHorseMBA
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[ErikH]

Other than Gabe's there's Phenomenal Aquatics

[350gt]

Im by IH10 and 410. My stops are Texas Tropical, Gabes, and not really NW but Aquarium Designs is worth a few more miles...

[Big_Pun]

you know there was no real answer to this everyone wants different stuff. i was at texas tropical yesterday and they had just got a shipment in of new fish. out 100+ fish they had got in i didnt see anything i liked. i like gettin up early on weekends and hitting up all the stores in town, you can try aquarium designs, jason has a good selection of stuff all the time, or make the drive to austin we have some good sponsor stores up there that are worth the drive.

[350gt]

Alamo Aquatics on Bandera had some nice fish the last time I went also, thats where I found my Blue Hippo.

[DarkHorseMBA]

A live stock addition is a family event around here. My 8 year old research all kinds of wrasses and we set out to Gabe's to pick one out. Once we got there every fell in love with a sailfin tang that Gabe had.

Well the tang came home with us and the wrasse is going to be our next addition, for Valentines day!

[TMWTim]

Reefer here:

I am not new to the hobby, by any means, but I am rather new to LFS in the SA area (north side) and after three solids months of shopping around I have found the following...

#1 - Aquarium Designs - This is my first stop hands down. It is about a 15 minute drive from my house on a good day (I have to get on 1604 and depending on traffic). Their hours kinda sucked during Christmas as we showed up and they were closed, twice. They need to update their website if they haven't already. Regardless, they have a good selection of SW LS...always nice fish selection and they have a set of coral display tanks which you can usually find something. They have a younger guy working there that truly loves his job and is a wealth of information. There is no chance you wont be asked if you need any assistance regardless of the amount of people that are in the store, which has always been packed. Nice place if you want some higher quality freshwater stock as well. Not sure about the $900 discus though ;) All in all, this shop has proved over and over to be my first stop. Livestock prices are decent, yet sometimes can be beat if you shop around. Dry good prices are very acceptable as well.

#2 - Texas Tropical and Marine - This is my second stop when I am out and about searching for SW stuff. Mucho stock of fresh and saltwater fish. There are several tanks full of corals and frags, great deals can be had for sure. The store seems cramped due to a over population of tanks/hoods for sale and the store, in general, isn't all the clean. The dry goods section is very limited and cramped but the prices are fair for a LFS. The coral displays could certainly use some work. The parking lot sucks bad! Bring a 4x4 if the 4 spots are taken. All in all a nice place to visit if you understand what you are doing when it comes to saltwater livestock. Sometimes the staff seems bothered. They still suck my money up regardless.

#3 - Gabes - I have only visited Gabes a few times. One thing is for sure, if I needed something special ordered then this is the place I would go. This shop isn't after any beauty awards. However, if you wanted something specific ordered then this is the place I would head to. Gabe usually is there and loves to talk shop with you which you can tell is a honest conversation. He is concerned with what you are after and if he doesn't have it he has no problems sending you to a competing shop just to make sure you end up happy. That honesty and compassion always wins me over. Gabes = all good

That is my Top 3...there are a few other shops around town but they simply didn't make my cut with no other reason other than I haven't heard much about them. There is a shop in UC and one down West but I havn't given them a shot. Not sure if they are still in business.

Anyway, sorry if I missed a shop. Sorry if my Top 3 sucked....just giving my POV over the last few months.