Denizens of the Deep

[spdskr]

Hello again Colorado TPT members. I just wanted to take a minute to report on the current state of my old LFS, Denizens of the Deep in Fort Collins. The short version: it remains my favorite LFS in the Front Range.

Plants: I saw several interesting plants including one tank with only 5" of water and plants growing emersed (plus they have a display palaudrium in the lobby) such as alternanthera and Java fern. Another tank contained various species of aponogeton including one lace plant. A couple of tanks contained various species of sword plants including a nice large ozelot. As usual, there was a nice selection of stems, my favorite being the rotala wallichii ($3 per bunch). There were also various crypts (both loose and potted) and other plants such as sagittaria, vals, and even a pot of glosso. Overall variety and condition of plants offered for sale---B+.

Fish: As usual, Denezins offers high quality fish species, many of which cannot be found in the "big box" stores. They have a good selection of rainbows, livebearers, africans, and smaller tetras (they also have an extensive saltwater section for those who prefer that). I counted 6 tanks with discus for sale (2"-3"), numerous tanks of SAE, ottos, and flying foxes. For anyone looking for different cory cat species and harder to find plecos, Denezins will not disappoint. Overall variety and condition of plants offered for sale--A.

Hard goods: Denezins offers a good selection of Coralife PC light fixtures and replacement bulbs. Prices of course are higher than online sources, but when you have to get a fixture or bulb right away, they are your place. They carry both Flourite and Eco-Complete. Tank selection is limited, but they do offer custom order discounts. They carry both Seachem and Sera brand fertilizers. Overall variety and availability of planted tank supplies--- B-.

So to date, Denezins remains the one shop in Colorado that I have visited that appears to cater to the planted tank enthusiast. If my fellow metro Denverites want to see a LFS unlike any in the city, take the drive up north....you'll be glad you did.

[Simkie]

I can't be the only one who finds the service at Denizen's horrible. I went in there yesterday looking for Eco Complete. I didn't see any out, and spent 20 minutes trying to get someone to help me.

I seem to go in there about every six months (that's about how long it takes me to forget and forgive, I guess) and it is ALWAYS the same. Very frustrating!!

[Agrippa]

I actually know most of the workers there quite well (I go in waaay too often,) so service is rarely an issue for me. Every now and again, I have to wait a long time for some of their new people to get going, and I've had one of their people try to sell me Hygro. difformis as Bolbitis (for a $7 price hike,) but their seletion of plants is far superior to any I have seen yet (mind you, I have not really visited Denver that much...)

I guess your service just depends upon the employee whom you go to. Both of their new workers have yet to impress me (Me: I'll take a bunch of rotalia magenta. New girl: that's the... (insert random farting sound) Me: Yeah... that would be the red stuff with small leaves over there. New girl: mmkay, this one... right... small leaves... Me: Uh... that would be cabomba... I'll get it) and their "plant guy" sometimes rubs me wrong, but all of the other people there have been great. Try it again- I think you could be pleasantly surprised.

[Simkie]

Agrippa, I took your message to heart and went back today looking for a tiny piece of driftwood for the 6 gallon I'm setting up. There was no one else in the store, so I got checked out right away. The kid seemed a bit of a moody teenager, but he DID help me....

So I guess I'll reserve judgment and keep trying them out. But I am NEVER going back there on a Saturday afternoon!

[spdskr]

A follow up on my old LFS from my last post. I was in Fort Collins yesterday for the first time in six months and stopped by Denizens. Looks like yet another management change and not one for the better. They still had a selection of plants but many were in poor shape and covered in algae. Other than the discus, fish selection lacked the uniqueness that it had in the past. I did get waited on, however, and the employees were approachable. There was a nice selection of tanks, fertilizers, substrates and CF lighting systems. Still a decent store, just not currently at its former glory.

[Grendel]

Originally Posted by spdskr

A follow up on my old LFS from my last post. I was in Fort Collins yesterday for the first time in six months and stopped by Denizens. Looks like yet another management change and not one for the better. They still had a selection of plants but many were in poor shape and covered in algae. Other than the discus, fish selection lacked the uniqueness that it had in the past. I did get waited on, however, and the employees were approachable. There was a nice selection of tanks, fertilizers, substrates and CF lighting systems. Still a decent store, just not currently at its former glory.

I'll second essentially this entire post.

I've not been impressed with the condition of their planted tanks for some time. Their plant selection used to be pretty solid and in shape, but now I always think, "Why the hell should I buy algae covered, dying stuff and hope it recovers when I can get excellent stuff right here at TPT?"

I've tried to "talk plants" with people there three times - once, the guy told me (in not quite so many words) that I was stupid for adding N, P, and K to my tank and that I shouldn't pay much attention to "those internet sites"; another time a different employee told me they didn't want to take any of my clippings, because they already had such good stuff (*ahem*); and only once did I talk with someone who seemed interested in a conversation about real, quality planted tanks (she might be an owner, but I'll be damned if I really know who's in charge there).

My biggest beef is that their fish selection has also gone downhill - rarely do they get any loaches beyond skunk and clown, for example, and while I used to see interesting cories there all the time, I've been looking for pygmies for over a year and have been totally shut out. Not to mention that I've been on their "call me when X comes in" list and not been called... I went in and saw the fish they were supposed to call me about, and flew into mild annoyance (about as worked up as I get).

I don't actually know anyone who works there on a name basis, and I don't want to totally bash them, but they used to be the beginning and end of my aquaria shopping here in the Fort, but they've slipped to second place for fish (I like D&G and occasionally even Petsmart, God forbid, better) and plants (behind TPT, naturally). Their dry-goods is still hands-down better than anywhere else, at least.


G