I'll echo what's been said about Albany Aquarium. Top notch, but you sure pay for it. I never saw so many planted tanks in one place! Very impressive. The two rams and 10 otos I bought are still doing great now after a month, unlike the ones from other places. Oct. garden is pretty good too, but if I had to choose between one or the other then I would say Albany gets my vote.
On the pen. theres a few places in the city. 6th ave. aquarium on 6th/clement comes to mind. Everything is wholesale so it's all self serve. I have bought a few nice plants there for half of what Albany sells the same thing for. The only downsides here are parking (there's none, )there's no guarantee on any live items and many times you have to pass because the fish are so sickly. It can also be shoulder to shoulder in the place. He must a killing! You definitely want to QT your items from here.
There's also Nippon Goldfish company on Geary that is only a few block from 6th ave. I havn't been yet, but I called them and they stock amanos and cherries so I'd bet that they have some good plants too. That place is definitely on my "to visit list." If anyone's been there fill us in.
Another forum member told me about Ocean aquarium. I believe it's near Van Ness in the city. I called them once and they seemed to know what they were doing. I'd like to check that one out too someday. If anyones has been what do you think?
There's also a couple nice shops in San Mateo. "Fish for You" in the Marina shopping centre off of Hillsdale near 101. Has the basics as far as plants go. Probably not worth the drive from the east bay, but worth mentioning. For fish though I really like "Ultimate Aquarium" off of El Camino near Hillsdale mall. I don't go there for plants, but he has all kinds of fish that I don't see as much at other places. Last time I was there he had Kribs and Killies as well as various type of tetras and rainbows that I never see in stores and they are generally healthy. He also guarantees the fish if you provide a water sample. He also had Amanos that he was selling as glass shrimp for $1 each. Needless to say I bought all he had left for that price and he even threw in a discount for buying ten. He couldn't believe that they sold so fast...wonder why
