LFS--Strictly Fish in Lakewood (SoCal--Los Angeles County)

[John P.]

As I mentioned here, I ordered some Cherry Shrimp from these guys. I had tried getting them from Petown in Orange County, but they weren't able to get them in.

In my opinion:

PROs:
-Went the extra mile to order something for me ... and actually followed through
-Great plant selection (w/CO2 in large planted holding tank)--so much so that I wish I would've bought here instead of online (though my order's due tomorrow) ... some great specimens
-Very nice, thorough hardware selection
-Several planted tanks on premesis
-Nice guys, helpful, etc.

CONs:
-Hard to find a whole lot of fault here, but if I had to--they didn't seem to have a whole lot of tetras that I personally would like (Cardinals, Penguin, Bloodfin) or Rasboras (Harlequins)

I think I'd still put Petown in Lake Forest, CA, above these guys as far as fish are concerned, but Strictly Fish wins on most other counts.

[Sponsors]

[wonder woman]

John-
I'll agree with you on all counts about S.F. I really wasn't so crazy about Pettown's plants- there were few when I was there, and there were algae issues. And for my purposes, I think S.F. has a better fish inventory, but I'm mostly looking for livebearers and cories.
One of the best things about S.F. for me has been the salespeople. I've never gotten bad advice, or felt like I was being "sold to", or condescended to, which means a lot, considering I'm a chick, and it happens to me quite often at fish stores. One of the guys even carried out a boxful of pond plants to my car for me, even though there were other customers waiting.

[odamone]

In my experiences there the people have either been extremely unknowledgable or borderline a**holes. They knowingly sold me a lid that would not fit my tank and didn't say a word to me when I came back to return it. They are bitter people there. The selection of livestock can be quite good, plants can be the best in OC, but I would never go for advice.

Petown is the best all around IMHO.

Edit-->
This may have been harsh. I went back and they were in better moods. Still, it's kinda like talking to a biker about knitting -- they aren't so friendly and couldn't care less.

[eums]

i went there and the guy i taked with was great. i got an oto and 2 amino(sp?) shrimp from them and some plants. going back today to order some dwarf SouthAmerican cichlids for my tank. i have a habbit of adding only 1 or 2 things once a week untill i get it the way i want.

i don't know how there prices are to other places but there live stock is healthy and they wil order anything you want. the prices seem ok to me, but then again i have a 150 gal sps reef.

i give them a for being a great help to me and not trying to push anything on me i did not need just because i am a noob to freshwater.

[m3th0d]

Can someone gimme the directions to this place? Pretty please.

[eums]

if your going 405-605 then .... once on the 605 exit carson, go left under the 605, go west a few lights, over the little brige then its the next right in a little shopping center, its easy to pass.


the address is
Strictly Fish
6903 Carson St
Lakewood California

[m3th0d]

Thank you very much.

[NaughtyCashew]

Originally Posted by odamone

In my experiences there the people have either been extremely unknowledgable or borderline a**holes.

I second this somewhat. Although I don't think they are quite a**holes, I have found them to be less than willing to help or talk fish. I will be back for plants, but petown is my home.

Here's my Vote for 2004
Plants - Strictly Fish
Fish - Petown

Oh, BTW, they have the Catalina saltwater here on the cheap. If any of you have saltwater tanks, get your water here. All sorts of new things have been happening in my nano tank since I started using this stuff.

[John P.]

Big sale going on at Strictly Fish right now, FYI.

[m3th0d]

Do they have any Eco-Complete on sale? If so, I'll stop by tomorrow.

[John P.]

Dunno ... call them & ask:

Strictly Fish
6903 Carson Street
Lakewood, CA 90713
562-421-9106

[Gomer]

Perhaps I'll head down this weekend....sale does go through the weekend right?...forget what my flier said

[John P.]

Originally Posted by Gomer

Perhaps I'll head down this weekend....sale does go through the weekend right?...forget what my flier said

I think so. I decided not to make the drive & ordered a bunch-o-stuff from Big Al's today.

[odamone]

Originally Posted by John P.

I decided not to make the drive & ordered a bunch-o-stuff from Big Al's today.

So you'll get that order in 2-4 months.

[John P.]

Geez ... I hope not. Always had great results with PetSolutions.com. Ordered from BigAls because the Ebo Jager heaters were all backordered.