San Francisco's best "planted tank" store

[co2]

Originally Posted by cbennett

yep, it's in an alley that goes between Van Ness and Polk St. There's a glass door usually propped open with a sign "appointment only" on it. That's the place.

I have never seen "appointment only" on the door. It does say "no saltwater" which is funny since it's called Ocean Aquarium. They're open every day except Christmas, 11am-7pm.

It's such a cool store. You would never know what a non-CO2 aquarium is capable of unless you saw this store. He grows so many plants that you wouldn't think would do well without CO2, even a little Tonina. A lot of the tanks are very small and just have screw in CF lighting, many don't even have filters, yet the fish are all very healthy. Justin is a really cool guy and really knows his stuff.

[aquanut415]

its just a sign... it also says "members only"

[EdTheEdge]

Visited Ocean Aquarium today and I must say - lack of words here- the place is a dump. But what a neat little dump it is!!!! All of his plants look healthy but appear to be stunted. I guess due to the lack of CO2. But he has so many planted tanks - I think every tank there is planted. Totally cool. Really nice selection of fish.

Ever notice the HEX he's got near the entrance? It looks like it's been hit by something and has a crack in it. I noticed that he just superglued a plastic patch to keep the crack in check.

Nice little store but I cruised up the road to Aqua Forest to get my plants. I got a nice package of HC, Tonia, R. Walichii, Eustralis and Downoi. Spent over 50 bucks but well woth the price. Some of the nicest plants I've seen in any aquarium.

So my tour of San Francisco ends.... I never thought I'd say this but I prefer Los Angeles to the Bay area any day of the week. Just wish we had some aquariums that speacialized in planted aquaria like they have up here....

[zergling]

I've made a rule for myself: Don't go to Aqua Forest unless I actually have a decent amount of money to spend

I went there last week, and had I not been so excited to setup my CO2 system, I'd probably end inspecting/admiring every single tank they have, and probably spending more money buying several plants.

Although my gf is okay with me having this expensive hobby, she's not into it as much as she is into pugs -- but when she saw the tanks at Aqua Forest she immediately understood what I was trying to accomplish I promised her I'll make her that itsy bitsy betta "tank" (which I suspect she only wanted because the betta and the trimming of the "tank" was purple).

[erodstrom]

We visited SF this weekend also, and we're also living in LA right now. My wife is actually obsessed with our pugs too, but she's a bit cooler about my aquarium hobby!

This shop was great, although I see what you all mean about the prices. I brought a couple friends who live up there with us, and they were looking at me like I was strange before we got to the shop..("really?...a plant aquarium?...) but once we got there, they were sold, and spent the rest of the time oohing and ahhing over the ADA tanks and asking about setting one up!

I do wish LA had a place like this.

[cbennett]

Visited Ocean Aquarium today and I must say - lack of words here- the place is a dump. But what a neat little dump it is!!!! All of his plants look healthy but appear to be stunted. I guess due to the lack of CO2. But he has so many planted tanks - I think every tank there is planted. Totally cool. Really nice selection of fish.

Yeah, IMHO, you don't go to Ocean for plants - you go for the fish! The place is a bit "fire-trapy" but the trick is to go in and go straight to Justin, tell him what types of fish you like and have him show you all the outrageously cool/rare/awesome fish that are there. Then he'll tempt you with all the REALLY cool stuff that you didn't even know you were into. Last time I was there I got some zebra otos that were in excellent shape and never lost a single one.

Here's what I do:
1. Go to Aquaforest, stare at fish tanks, drool at tanks, curse my poor aquascaping skills, spend lots of money.

2. Go across street to Japantown, have lunch, discuss awesome tanks seen and regale friends with awesome purchases made.

3. Go to Ocean, spend an hour+ getting the special tour from Justin, drooling at tanks, and deciding how much of a hit my wallet can take.

ALWAYS a great trip but NEVER a cheap one!

[Overfloater]

I am flying out to the Bay Area tomorrow to visit AF and pickup some stones. I am also going to swing by Ocean. I am disappointed however as it looks like Albany Aquarium is closed on Thursdays

This will be my first trip to the left coast and it looks to be interesting.

[KDahlin]

Originally Posted by Overfloater

I am flying out to the Bay Area tomorrow to visit AF and pickup some stones. I am also going to swing by Ocean. I am disappointed however as it looks like Albany Aquarium is closed on Thursdays

This will be my first trip to the left coast and it looks to be interesting.

I hope you enjoy your visit!

[ringram]

Wow. I was there in December and the CRS's were $9.99, but I'm not sure if we're talking about different grade CRS's or not.

Originally Posted by toshi

Yeah, the tank by the counter is set up really nice. I tend to stand there for a while staring as well

Wow, it went up to $29.99 for the CRS? I was just there the other day and they were at $25.00.

[oni_XL]

Originally Posted by cbennett

Yeah, IMHO, you don't go to Ocean for plants - you go for the fish! The place is a bit "fire-trapy" but the trick is to go in and go straight to Justin, tell him what types of fish you like and have him show you all the outrageously cool/rare/awesome fish that are there. Then he'll tempt you with all the REALLY cool stuff that you didn't even know you were into. Last time I was there I got some zebra otos that were in excellent shape and never lost a single one.

Here's what I do:
1. Go to Aquaforest, stare at fish tanks, drool at tanks, curse my poor aquascaping skills, spend lots of money.

2. Go across street to Japantown, have lunch, discuss awesome tanks seen and regale friends with awesome purchases made.

3. Go to Ocean, spend an hour+ getting the special tour from Justin, drooling at tanks, and deciding how much of a hit my wallet can take.

ALWAYS a great trip but NEVER a cheap one!

I do #1 & 2 with wifey all the time, AFA is my new candy store, byebye BestBuy!

Lo brothers are great, I bought a few starter items from Steven and I can't say enough or reccomend them enough! I feel so lucky to live so close, Imagine if the only shop that carry ADA and planted tank stuff is in SoCal?

Anyway, a great store! Kudos to the owners!

[Roc]

I took my wife to AF last weekend, she is not into the fish tanks at all butttttttttt after seeing those tanks she asked me when will ours look like that since they were all so beautiful ( I hated lying to her and saying it would be soon ROFL)

I need to restock my 55 gal after a very bad learning experence with pursurized CO2 this last week or so ( I lost about 4 fish) and I need to remove some of the larger fish maybe I will try ocean

[KDahlin]

I stop in there about once a week for the inspiration. They also carry a good selection of fish. It seems to change a lot and they get in some that are more unique.

[Roc]

Well I just came from a lunchtime trip to both Ocean and AF. This was my 1st trip to Ocean and let me tell you that is an experence. I have never seen so many low light planted tanks with zero algae and lush beautiful high light plants growing in them. I spoke with the gentlmen who was working there and asked him directly how does he do it, he said ferts and liquid CO2, there is no injection and a lot of the tanks are between 1-2 wpg. It was truely amazing to see what can be done, but he also stated that a lot of his plants are sold very quickly and so they haven't all been in the tanks for very long (this was except for plants like java moss and fern which are attached to driftwood). I also noticed that they sell the wood which is usualy sold for lizard tanks and that I have been told many times is horrible for aquariums. He stated that he uses it all the time and whoever told me that is wrong. I went to get a difusser and they only had one very cheep looking one made of plastic (it cost 20.00 so it wasn't actually cheep), at that point I made my way to AF.

At AF I was again awe stuct, they tanks are so nice and really show off what can be had if done right. I bought a glass difusser for 20.00 and 3 bunches (about 7 plants) of red Nesaea crassicaulis for 5.99 each.

All in all a great way to have spent my lunch, with these 2 places next to my work and Albany Aqurium around the corner from my house the Bay area is a great place to have a planted tank.

[richy]

Justin is the owner of Ocean Aquarium. He brings in some of the rarer varieties of fish from time to time. He's always great to talk to and very knowledgeable.

[Roc]

So I just left AF and they did the unthinkable TOOK DOWN THE MAIN WINDOW TANK. it was one of the most fantastic tanks I had ever seen, and now it is no more. Actually they were taking down 3 or 4 tanks while I was there and I got to talk to them about how they plant etc, so it was worth it.

I noticed that since this is my 6th or 7th trip they have become way more talkitive and willing to give advice then when I 1st went there.

Anyways anyone in the area go by and check out the new tank set-ups.