The Planted Tank Forum banner

Tri-State (NY-NJ-CT) LFS [Grading system added] & CO2 directory

23K views 102 replies 54 participants last post by  furnfins 
#1 · (Edited)
New map added

The Local Fish Shop (LFS) directory was compiled from feedback of our community and this post serves all
interested in venturing into new areas of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut areas where local aquaria
resources may be available.

Kindly PM with feedback or additions to be added.

Grading system
:biggrin: - Worth visiting regularly, Regularly introduces uncommon livestock and accessories.
:icon_wink - Worth a visit if in the area, Occassionally carry uncommon livestock and accessories.
:) - Reliable staple shop, Mainly stocks common species and dependable on supplies in a pinch.
:icon_neut - Visited once and never returned.
:icon_arro - No Livestock


Connecticut
  • All Pets Club
    Address: 479 E Main St, Branford CT
    Phone: (203) 483-7387
  • All Pets Club
    Address: 1167 N Colony Road, Wallingford Center CT
    Phone: (203) 265-1899
  • All Pets Club
    Address: 361 Boston Post Road, North Windham, CT 06256
    Phone: (860) 456-7387
  • All Pets Club
    Address: 405 Queen Street, Southington, CT 06489
    Phone: (860) 621-4664
  • Blake's Aqua Den ;)
    Address: 34 High St. 2nd Floor, Meriden, CT 06450
    Phone: (203) 684-8244
  • Greenwich Aquaria :icon_wink
    Address: 1064 East Putnam Avenue, Riverside, CT 06878
    Phone: (203) 344-1572
  • House of Fins :biggrin:
    Address: 99 Bruce Park Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830
    Phone: (203) 661-8131
  • Slither and Swim ;)
    Address: 38 Saw Mill Road, West Haven, CT 06516
    Phone: (203) 932-9436
  • Westport Aquarium ;)
    Address: 2 Riverside Ave Westport, CT 06880
    Phone: (203) 227-9320

New Jersey
North
  • Absolutely Fish · absolutelyfish.com :biggrin:
    Address: 1080 U.S. 46, Clifton, NJ 07013
    Phone: (973) 365-0200
    Large selection of everything. A must see in the area.
  • Adam's Pet Safari
    Address: Chester ShopRite Mall Rt. 206, Chester, NJ 07930
    Phone: (908) 879-8998
  • Ely's Aquatic Farms aka Ely's Tropical Fish :icon_wink
    Address: 326 Columbia Turnpike, Florham Park, NJ 07932
    Phone: (973) 377-0570
  • Fishtown USA :icon_wink
    Address: 735 New Jersey 17, Ramsey, NJ 07446
    Phone: (201) 825-3775
  • Fish Hut :icon_wink
    Address: 114 U.S. 46, Saddle Brook, NJ
    Phone: (973) 253-7300
  • H2O Aquarium h2oaqua.com open in 2013
    Address: 523 Jersey Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302
    Phone: (201) 706-3420
  • Kazmir Pet shop :icon_wink
    Address: 82 Anderson Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
    Phone: (201) 487-1161
    - Proverbial hole in the wall shop with Gems to be found.
  • Pet goods · petgoods.com :icon_wink
    Address: 651 Route 17, Paramus, NJ 07652
    Phone: (201) 670-6000
    - open before noon
  • Petco - Paramus · petco.com
    Address: 450 New Jersey 17, Paramus, NJ 07652
    Phone: (201) 261-6306
  • [STRIKE]Ridgewood Aquarium Imports · ridgewoodaquariumimports.com :biggrin:
    Address: 10 S Broad Street, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
    Address: (201) 857-8300
    - Authorized ADA retail shop[/STRIKE]
  • Rt4 aquarium · rt4aquarium.com :icon_wink
    Address: 143 Broadway, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
    Phone: (201) 797-6650 ‎
    - Monster fish & exotic livestock
  • Sea Level Aquarium · sealevelaquarium.com :icon_wink
    Address: 28 U.S. 46, Pine Brook, NJ 07058
    Phone: (973) 227-0200
    - Does carry uncommon species from time to time.
  • Village Tropical Fish :icon_wink
    Address: 193 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302
    Phone: (201) 333-1535
    - Two blocks away from H2O Aquarium in Jersey City, worth checking out both!

South
  • Aquarium Paradise · aquascapeonline.com
    Address: 234 Washington Avenue, Belleville NJ 07109
    Phone: (908) 634-0820 or (908) 634-0825
  • Brookdale Pet Center · brookdalepetcenter.com
    Address: 1054 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
    Phone: (973) 893-0990 Google
  • Elos Aquastudio NYC· aquastudionyc.com
    Address: 533 Millburn Ave, Short Hills, NJ 07078
    Phone: (201) 516-1000
    - Mainly Reef but specializes in tanks and equipment.
  • Honey Bee Pets
    Address: 277 Main Street, Belleville, NJ
    Phone: (973) 751-9400 Google
  • Ocean Gallery II · oceangalleryii.com
    Address: 980 U.S. 22, North Plainfeld, NJ
    Phone: (908) 226-1100
    Mostly saltwater - and a nice store for that.
  • Pet Shanty· petshanty.com
    Address: 2507 US Highway 22, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
    Phone: (908) 889-8262
  • Tropaquarium · tropiquarium.com
    Address: Ocean Plaza Shopping Center 1100 Rt. 35 & Sunset Avenue (Next to Staples), Ocean, NJ 07712
    Phone: (732) 922-2300 Google
  • Shark Aquarium · sharkaquarium.com
    Address: 245 U.S. 22, Hillside, NJ 07205
    Phone: (973) 923-3200
  • Wild Discoveries
    Address: 468 Washington Avenue, Belleville, NJ
    Phone: (973) 751-1221

New York

Bronx
  • Zoo-Rama Aquarium
    Address: 2574 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461 zooramapets.com
    Phone: (718) 430-1992
  • Zoo-Rama Pets
    Address: 2566 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461 zooramapets.com
    Phone: (718) 430-0909

Brooklyn
  • Animal Pantry
    Address: 693 86th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11228-3219
    Phone: (718) 680-2220
  • Aquarium Gallery
    Address: 1314 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY 11229
    Phone: (718) 336-1498
  • Brooklyn Zoo and Aquarium
    Address: 2377 Ralph Avenue, New York, NY 11234
    Phone: (718) 251-7389
    - BAS 10% discount
  • King Fish Aquarium & Pet Supply
    Address: 4818 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11220
    Phone: (718) 438-3189
  • King's Aquarium
    Address: 7106 18th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11204
    Phone: (718) 621-8130
  • New Island Aquarium
    Address: 1963 Utica Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11234
    Phone: (718) 241-6688
  • Petco
    Address: Ave. Y and East 16th, Brooklyn, NY 11234
    Phone: (718) 241-6688
  • Reef Aquarium
    Address: 5415 8th Avenue (between 54 & 55th St), Brooklyn, NY 11220
    Phone: (718) 633-7850
  • Royal Aqua World
    Address: 815 65th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11220
    Phone: (718) 238-0718
    - Nice plants & fish, tank setups are upstairs. Parking will be difficult at times.
  • World Class Aquarium
    Address: 2015 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11234
    Phone: (718) 258-0653
  • Tamco Aquarium and Supply Inc
    Address: 6310 Bay Parkway, Brooklyn, NY
    Phone: (718) 232-2885

Manhattan
  • 123 Aquarium Inc :icon_wink
    Address: 123 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10013
    Phone: (212) 431-3788
    - Specializes in Plecos, Discus and occassionally shrimp.
  • King Fish World :icon_neut
    Address: 371 Broome Street, New York, NY
    Phone: (212) 966-0397
    - Mainly Flowerhorns, Parrotfish, Angels & bettas.
  • Aqua Star Pet Shop :icon_wink
    Address: 176 Mulberry Street, New York, NY
    Phone: (212) 431-4311
    - Carries popular tropical fish, goldfish, discus, angels, bettas, birds, inverts, etc...
  • Fauna · faunanyc.com :icon_wink
    Address: 265 W 87th St # 1 New York, NY 10024
    - Fish dept in basement
  • Manhattan Aquariums
    Address: 522 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018
    Phone: (212) 594-2272
    - Predominantly Reef but building their freshwater section. Does have several plant tanks.
  • [STRIKE]New World Aquarium :icon_wink
    Address: 204 E 38th St New York, NY 10016-2705[/STRIKE]
  • Pacific Aquarium & Plant Inc · pacificnyc.com :biggrin:
    Address: 46 Delancey Street #1, New York, NY
    Phone: (212) 995-5895
  • Pet Inn USA · petinnusa.com
    Address: 112 madison st new york, NY 10002
    - Specialize in Goldfish
  • Petco @ Union Square [The flagship store] :icon_wink
    Address: 860 Broadway New York, NY 10003
    Phone: (212) 358-0692
    - The ONLY petco to carry uncommon species
  • Petland Discounts :icon_wink
    Address: 132 Nassau Street, New York, NY
  • Petland Discounts :)
    Address: 632 Broadway New York‎ New York‎ 10012
  • [STRIKE]Win Tropical Aquariums :biggrin:
    Address: 169 Mott Street, New York, NY
    Phone: (212) 343-2875
    - Specializes in nano and exotic fish and plants.[/STRIKE]

Queens
  • Animal Pantry
    Address: 13720 Cross Bay Blvd Ste 1, Ozone Park, NY 11417-2800
    Phone: (718) 845-8400
  • Cameo Pet Shop:smile:
    Address: 115-23 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, NY 11418
  • Coral Aquariums Inc :)
    Address: 75-3 Roosevelt Avenue, New York, NY
    Phone: (718) 429-3934
  • Fishtown USA, Inc :biggrin:
    Address: 196-33 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY
    Phone: (718) 539-5396
    - Regularly imports exotics species.
  • [STRIKE]Golden Aquatic Aquarium :icon_neut
    Address: 7620 Woodside Avenue, Flushing, NY
    Phone: (718) 606-2428 goldenaquatictrading.com [/STRIKE]
  • House of Fish & Pets :smile:
    Address: 16905 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica, NY
    Phone: (718) 739-3090
    - Specializes in exotic bettas but does offer a tropical section
  • Kissena Aquarium Inc :icon_wink
    Address: 4630 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing, NY
    Phone: (718) 358-0761
  • Monster Aquarium Inc Open in 2013 :biggrin:
    Address: 131-08 40th Road, Flushing, NY 11354
    Phone: (347) 732-0373
    - Carries ADA products, hardscape, nano and monster fish.
  • Northern Aquarium Inc :icon_wink
    Address: 13502 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY
    Phone: (718) 321-9722
  • Paradise Aquarium :)
    Address: 66-16 Fresh Pond Road, Ridgewood, NY 11385
    Phone: (718) 366-6921
  • Petco - Whitestone :)
    Address: 13311 20th Ave, College Point, NY
    Phone: (718) 321-1295
  • Pets Supplies Plus :)
    Address: 74-17 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378
    Phone: 718-424-3582
  • Petsmart - New Hyde Park :icon_wink
    Address: 1600 Marcus Avenue, New York
    Phone: (516) 502-1481
    - odd sized tanks in stock and plant tissue cultures.
  • Rainbow Aquarium :)
    Address: 14314 45th Avenue, Flushing, NY
    Phone: (718) 886-4200
    - Have offered CRS on occassion.
  • Success Aquarium Inc (formerly Blue Gold Aquarium) :)
    Address: 8612 Whitney Avenue, Elmhurst, NY
    Phone: (718) 651-2500
    - Sparsely stocked.

New York - Westchester County
  • Exotic Pet Warehouse exoticpetwarehouse.com
    Address: 597 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704
    Phone: (914) 963-6557
    - Large selection of FW (not a lot of nanofish) and SW - tanks aren't very clean
  • Pets Place II
    Address: 120 E. Rte 59. - Nanuet, NY
    Phone: (845) 623-5565

Long Island
  • Aqua Hut Inc :biggrin:
    Address: 264 Middle Country Road, Coram, NY 11727
    Phone: (631) 732-3620
  • Aquarium Village Inc. · nyaquariumvillage.com :icon_wink
    Address: 473 Old Country Road, Westbury, NY
    Phone: (516) 333-0682
    This shop is more Reef inclined but carry fresh water products and accessories.
  • Brians aquarium · briansaquarium.com :)
    Address: 29 Rocky Point Yaphank Road, Rocky Point, NY 11778
    Phone: (631) 744-9023
  • BTJ's Jungle :icon_wink
    Address: 150 Sunrise Hwy, West Islip, NY 11795
    Phone: (631) 587-8191
  • Caribbean Blue Aquatics :icon_wink
    Address: 1756 Sunrise Highway, Bay Shore, NY 11706‎
    Phone: (631) 969-2583
  • Country Critters :icon_wink
    Address: 152 Medford Avenue, Patchogue, NY 11772
    Phone: (631) 758-6777
  • Franklin Pet Center Inc. formerly Pet Barn :icon_wink
    Address: 212 Franklin Avenue, Franklin Square, NY, 11010
    Phone: (516) 775-8183
  • Magic Isle Aquarium :icon_wink
    Address: 205 Centereach Mall, Centereach, NY 11720
    Phone: (631) 585-2939
    Most tanks have BBA so be mindful when purchasing.
  • Parrots of the World‎ · parrotsoftheworld.com :icon_wink
    Address: 316 Sunrise Hwy, Rockville Centre, NY
    Phone: ‎(516) 764-0717
  • Pet Supplies Plus :)
    Address: 1137 Old Country Road, Westbury, NY
    Phone: (516) 997-1629
  • Petco - Carle Place
    Address: 189 Old Country Road, Carle Place, NY 11514
  • Pet Connection
    Address: 6275 New York 25A, Wading River, NY ‎
    Phone: (631) 929-7387
  • Pets Warehouse - Carle Place · petswarehouse.com :biggrin:
    Address: 177 Glen Cove Road, Carle Place, NY
    Phone: (516) 307-1522
  • Pets Warehouse - Copiague · petswarehouse.com :biggrin:
    Address: 1550 Sunrise Highway Copiague NY 11726 ‎
  • Pets Warehouse - Selden · petswarehouse.com :icon_arro
    Address: 291 Middle Country Road, Selden NY 11784
  • Pets Warehouse- Setauket · petswarehouse.com :)
    Address: 5010 Nesconset Hwy E. Setauket, 11733
    Phone: (631) 509-6400
  • South Shore Tropicals :icon_wink
    Address: 127 Merrick Road, Amityville, NY 11701
    Phone: (631) 608-8100
  • Total aquariums · totalaquariums.com
    Address: 325 Sunrise Highway, Lynbrook, New York 11563
    Phone: (516) 887-5048
  • Tropical Showcase · tropicalshowcase.com :icon_wink
    Address: 372 West Old Country Road, Hicksville, NY
    Phone: (516) 433-0988
  • Zoo-Rama :icon_wink
    Address: 475 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, NY 11003
    Phone: (516) 216-1349

New York - Albany
  • Davy Jones Locker
    Address: 368 Delaware Avenue, Albany, NY 12209
    Phone: (518) 436-4810
    - Helpful and knowledgeable staff; diverse selection on livestock, inverts and a decent selection on plants.

Pennsylvania
  • That Pet Place
    Address: 237 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA 17603
    Phone: (888) 842-8738
  • The Hidden Reef
    Address: 4501 New Falls Road, Levittown, PA
    Phone: (215) 269-4930

Google Map - https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=207480842319980757283.0004d2909b9878cffe7fd

Special thanks to rozdaboff for the google map

CO2 Refill Locations
Connecticut
  • Maltose Express - Home Brew Supply shop
    Address: 246 Main Street, Monroe, CT 06468
    Phone: (203) 452-7332
    Prices: Sells new tanks

Queens
  • Airweld Inc - Swaps or Fill for return pickup
    Address: 35-07 College Pt. Boulevard Flushing, New York 11354-2718
    Phone: (718) 445-5151
    Prices: 5#-$16 10#-$20 20#-$24
    Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00 - 4:00, Saturday 8:00 - 12:00
  • Airweld Inc - Fill on the spot
    Address: 44-23 54 Ave Maspeth , New York 11378
    Phone: (718) 392-6940
    Prices: 5#-$20, 10#-$21.70, 20#-$27
    For Sale:purchase on 5lb=$138, 10lb = $212 (They are not brand new)
    Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00 - 4:30 (last fill at 3:30)
  • Fire Foe Corporation · fire-foe.com - Fill on the spot
    Address: 36-23 Review Ave, Long Island City, NY
    Phone: (718) 937-9700‎
    Category: Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Companies
    Hours:8:30am - 5pm EST, Monday - Friday (last fill at 4pm)
    Prices 5#-19.95, 10#-$28.95, 20#-$30.00
  • PREST-O-SALES & SERVICE, INC.- Fills on the spot
    Address: 40-14 19TH Avenue Long Island City, NY 11105-1049
    Phone: [718-721-8100]
    Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5 (last fill at 4)
    Prices:5#-$15.75, 10#-$18.90, 20#-$22.30
Manhattan
  • Mckinney Welding Supply - Swap only
    Address: 52nd between 11th and 12
    Prices: 10#-$15-20

Brooklyn
  • Liberty Industrial Gases and Welding Supply www.libertygases.com
    Address: 600 Smith Street Brooklyn, NY 11231
    Hours:
    Monday - Friday: 7:00am to 4:30pm
    Saturday: 8:00am to 1:00pm
    Closed Sunday
    Swaps only but the guy was super helpful. Told him I had a new tank, so he looked through
    and found a new full tank just to keep me happy. It was $23 for a 10lb swap.

Long Island
  • Accurate Fire & Safety Equipment - Fill on the Spot and open Saturdays
    Address: 251 Franklin Ave, Franklin Square, NY 11010
    Phone: (516) 488-3473
    Hours:
    M-F 9:00am - 4:00pm
    Sat 9:00am - 3:00pm
    Closed Sunday
    Prices: 5#-$9
  • Ace Welding supply - Fill on the spot
    Address: 8 Stevens St, Freeport, NY 11520
    Phone: (516) 623-4519
    Hours:
    M-F 7:00 am – 4:30 pm
  • Air Weld in Farmingdale. Right off Route 110. (?)
  • American Compressed Gases Inc · americancompressedgas.com
    Address: 309 New South Rd, Hicksville, NY
    Phone: (516) 935-4700
  • Clinton Welding Supply Company Inc - Fill on the Spot and open Saturdays
    Address: 40 Jericho Turnpike Jericho NOAM NY 11753-1004
    Phone: (516) 334-1377
    Prices: 5#-$15
  • Ken-Mar Fire Extinguisher Co· kenmarfire.com
    Address: 168 Larkfield Rd, East Northport, NY
    Phone: (631) 261-3506
    Prices: 5#-$15
  • Port Diver
    Address: 811 Hallock Ave, Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776
    Phone: (631) 331-9609
    Prices: ?-$20

New Jersey
  • Reliable Carbonic Co · reliablecarbonic.com
    Address: 334 Handy St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
    Phone: (732) 545-4748
    Hours: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
 
See less See more
#60 ·
Made a little LFS tour after a visit to Frank's this morning.

We visited two stores on the list that hadn't yet been rated.

1) South Shore Tropicals - First, the address in the list is wrong. The correct address is: 127 W. Hoffman Ave, Lindenhurst, NY 11757

127 Merrick Road as in the list is South Shore Tattoo Shop... Only a couple of miles down the road - so no big deal - and there was a pretty cool reptile store across the street.

South Shore Tropicals was nice - and definitely worth a visit if you are out that way. There was a nice selection of quality plants - I got a very nice bunch of Rotala wallichi and Myriophyllums simulans for $3 each, and Matt got a really nice-sized clump of Crypt balansae for $3; a nice number of very clean FW tanks, but not a ton of selection. So I would give it :icon_lol::icon_lol: (2 smiles)

2) Animal pantry - 13720 Crossbay Blvd # 1 Jamaica, NY 11417. Nothing great here - just a typical mixed pet shop with a small sized fish dept (40ish tanks - mix FW and SW). Not really worth a special trip.

We also visited a few other already on the list. Tropical showcase and Pets Warehouse (177 Glen Cove Road) - both were really nice. Tropical showcase had a really good variety of plants (pots and stems) in great condition - I got a really nice clump of Myriophyllum tuberculatum. Aquarium village was also really nice - but had a heavier SW feel.


I also update the Google Maps. It also looks like the link to the map on the first post was deleted. https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=207480842319980757283.0004d2909b9878cffe7fd
 
#62 ·
South Shore Tropicals was nice - and definitely worth a visit if you are out that way. There was a nice selection of quality plants - I got a very nice bunch of Rotala wallichi and Myriophyllums simulans for $3 each, and Matt got a really nice-sized clump of Crypt balansae for $3; a nice number of very clean FW tanks, but not a ton of selection. So I would give it :icon_lol::icon_lol: (2 smiles)
Oz, does this store actually label their plants correctly (i.e., correct species name)? Or are they clueless about the exact species of what they sell?
 
#63 ·
All of the plants were nicely organized in tanks in rows with labels on the front at South Shore. The had one Myrophyllium labeled as "frill" and when I asked if they knew genus/species - the guy went and checked a list behind the counter and got back to me.

On the other hand, Tropical showcase - while they had a ton of great plants - none of the stems were labeled and when I asked for an ID - they didn't know. They just checked a big poster on the wall with some common plants and pictures on it to see if they could match it.
 
#64 ·
I met up with a friend of mine who lives in Hoboken on Saturday, and we did a mini-NJ fish tour, hitting a few places that I hadn't been to yet, as well as a couple of others I had.

Shark Aquarium - 245 U.S. 22 Hillside, NJ 07205

I am still new to LFSs, but I have never seen so many fish tanks in one store before. It was impressive to say the least. And the tanks were clean with healthy fish for the most part. Not an incredibly uncommon selection for small fish, but still worth a visit. They did have a few tanks with plants. Newer plants looked healthy and clean, but some that had been there for a while had a good algae coating.

Ely's Aquatic Farms - 326 Columbia Turnpike, Florham Park, NJ 07932

This was one was a little out of the way, but it had a decent selection of fish, including some less common nano-fish then you would find in a typical LFS (includling B. maculata and D. erythromicron as well as some RCS and CRS) - but prices were pretty steep - with some making Pacific seem reasonable :hihi:

Pet shanty - 2507 US Highway 22 Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

Not a bad selection of fish, prices pretty reasonable. Worth a visit if you are in the area, not sure I would go out of the way to go there.

Ocean Gallery II - 980 U.S. 22, North Plainfeld, NJ

This place was mostly saltwater - and a nice store for that. Not too much FW.

We also hit Fishtown in Ramsey and Rt. 4. Fishtown had some cool fish - Sparkling gouramis, Yunnanilus cruciatus, a few cool Killies. Rt. 4 had a nice selection - but nothing on the small fish side that was incredibly uncommon.
 
#69 ·
A couple more stores to add to the list - these were recommended on the FB page. I haven't visited them yet.

Total aquariums
325 Sunrise Highway, Lynbrook, New York 11563
(516) 887-5048 ‎ · totalaquariums.com

Parrots of the World
316 Sunrise Hwy, Rockville Centre, NY ‎
(516) 764-0717 ‎ · parrotsoftheworld.com
 
#72 ·
Ace Welding supply



Address: 8 Stevens St, Freeport, NY 11520



Phone:(516) 623-4519



Hours:

M-F 7:00 am – 4:30 pm



Will fill your tank.

They do swaps for my 20...not fills. Said it's due to time reasons.
Not that I care much.
 
#74 ·
I know this store has no freshwater tanks at all but they do sell some fish food you can buy LOL. Its Elos Aquastudio NYC
533 Millburn Ave, Short Hills, NJ 07078
(201) 516-1000

If you are ever contemplating getting a reef or starting saltwater this is THE place to go to. Super nice staff, and probably the most professional setup i have ever seen on a retail level. Prices range from very reasonable to crazy. My favorite part of the store is how all fish tanks in rows are controlled by an ipad mini and you can view all prices and info on it as well :) Worth checking out just for their professionalism alone. I have been a die hard reefer for a long time and these guys know their stuff.
 
#78 ·
Update:

Just had my 5# tank filled at ace welding 15$ took about 5 - 10 min.

Best part I still have my shiny new Aluminum tank to gawk at under my tank. :bounce:
That's great to learn another place does refill on the spot. I haven't found an used 10# yet. Concerned about getting a brand new one since many places only do swap.

I think used CO2 tanks are in demand. People brewing beers/sodas are also looking for used tanks. So we are the fish people are competing with them on used tank. That sux.
 
#76 ·
Please add:

Sea Level Aquarium
28 U.S. 46, Pine Brook, NJ 07058
(973) 227-0200


I would give it between a :icon_wink: and a :biggrin:

It is a smaller store, but everything is always in good shape and they do have their oddball/gems in there. I was in there and saw some freshwater fishes I've never seen at other shops, and walked out with some Zebra Otocinclus.
 
#77 ·
You can add:
Franklin Pet Center INC. (Formerly known as Pet Barn then taken over by an employee) They still have a decent fish selection and sometimes get unusual fish.
212 Franklin Ave.
Franklin Square, NY, 11010

Zoo-Rama (Same owners as the one in Bronx) Sometimes gets some decent stuff at good price) I picked up 5 Anubias Petite here once at 4$ each. Each plant with at least 8-10 leaves.
475 Hempstead Turnpike
Elmont, NY 11003

Village Tropical Fish (This place is literally two blocks away from H2O Aquarium in Jersey City, worth checking out both at the same time since they are in walking distance of each other)
193 Newark Ave
Jersey City, NJ 07302
 
#79 ·
CT is looking pretty weak on that list there. I agree with both ratings for the ones listed, although, the last time I was at Greenwich Aquaria they only had a couple FW tanks left, almost all SW.

I have a couple that can be added to the list. My ratings are based mostly off stock and customer service/knowledge. Supplies are mostly run of the mill around here, I haven't really seen and fancy ADA type stuff except I believe at House of Fins.

Westport Aquarium
2 Riverside Ave
Westport, CT 06880
(203) 227-9320

I haven't been here in a while. From what I remember, they had mostly Saltwater tanks, they did however have one smaller room dedicated to FW. Decent selection of fish and plants, some unusual fish and inverts included. Knowledgeable staff, even on the FW stock which isn't their specialty. The pricing wasn't terrible for Fairfield County and they will work with you sometimes. I guess I'd give it a :icon_wink


Blake's Aqua Den
34 High St.
2nd Floor
Meriden, CT 06450
(203) 684-8244

This is a newer store, he opened sometime in the middle of 2013. The owner is knowledgeable and seems pretty passionate about the hobby. The first time I went there he seemed very excited about owning his own store and being able to stock whatever unusual stock he wanted and providing for the hobbyist. He even had a whole shrimp rack and not just with the standard RCS that you have to be lucky to find around here. Probably 50:50 FW:SW, maybe a little more FW. He gets a :biggrin: in my book. Now if only Meriden were closer to me I'd be there all the time.


Slither and Swim
38 Saw Mill Rd.
West Haven, CT 06516
(203) 932-9436

This one is only a few minutes down the road from my house so I go here most often just for the convenience factor. They don't exactly have the largest selection of accessories and supplies. The fish selection is usually pretty good though. Sometimes they seem to go low on stock but when they fill the tanks again you can usually rely on finding a few fun oddballs around. They have a few tanks with plants. Not always the best selection but it's decent if you catch it right after they get an order in. A few shrimp tanks as well. Usually cherries and a couple others, I've seen OEBT, red rilli, blue velvet, and tigers. It was 100% FW, but last time I went there they were setting up their first SW tank. The store is split 50:50 Reptiles:Aquariums. My rating: :icon_wink as long as you catch them stocked. If not it goes down a bit.

Last one for now
All Pets Club
479 E Main St
Branford
(203) 483-7387

1167 N Colony Rd
Wallingford Center
(203) 265-1899

361 Boston Post Road
North Windham, CT 06256
(860) 456-7387

405 Queen Street
Southington, CT 06489
(860) 621-4664

Those are all 4 locations, I've only ever been to Branford and Wallingford, and mostly Branford so the specifics of my review will be discussing that location. However, Wallingford was very similar in stock and supplies available. They are a split 50:50 of FW and SW. Pricing is good but only if you have a RClub Card. The membership is $50/year but can often be gotten on sale between $20-30. The fish selection is usually pretty standard, very rarely they will get something odd in. The plant selection is usually decent, often they have the same plants but they usually have a good variety of them. In Branford there are a couple staff members that are fairly knowledgeable. They will still try to sell you sometimes though. Mostly I go here for supplies and occasionally plants. They have a large selection of different supplies and again at a decent price with the RClub card. They also stock tanks besides your standard Aqueon, Tetra, etc. I don't really know how the pricing on those compares though. I'd give them a :) probably, if anything higher it's just because of the large supplies selection.

EDIT: Oh and I'm not sure if this qualifies because they only do swaps not fills for CO2 but Maltose Express had the best prices on buying co2 tanks I could find in my area. They are a home brew supply store so the free beer samplers didn't hurt while I was waiting for my tank.
Maltose Express
246 Main St
Monroe, CT 06468
Phone:(203) 452-7332
 
#81 ·
These Guys have been mentioned in this thread already, I'm sure:

http://fishhutofnj.com/

I made the trek out there yesterday, and I was blown away. They really do have an incredible number of tanks in the place. Never having been there before, from the outside I thought I was walking into a tiny store. The second I walked in, my eyes bugged out. This is one of the neatest, cleanest, and best-kept stores I've ever seen. Not a single dead or sick specimen in the whole place. It was just neat as a pin. The Peacocks are really outstanding. I walked out with a pair of discus I just couldn't pass up.

The one and only downside to the place is the virtual non-existence of plants. Just a handful of java in one tank and that was all I saw. If these guys start bringing in plants, I may go broke. I almost never gush over a store, but these guys really deserve the praise. It's really nice to see people in the business do it right.
 
#87 ·
Thanks for the list guys! Planning out my trek to the city at the end of the month. Any good stores that carry freshwater shrimp? I heard there are store in chinatown that carry some good inverts. Can anyone point me to a good starting point there? I havent found much info about them.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top