Aquarium Depot aka The Aquarium Center

daguruvjt · 08-04-2006, 03:28 PM

I've found that the Aquarium Center's service depends soley on when you go. In the middle of the day on a Saturday afternoon, the store can be very crowded and that affects service levels. The staff seems to range from young kids whose main job is to just dip out fish and plants, to older folk who tend to know a bit more. In my opinion the prices tend to vary widely; some of the dry goods are a bit overpriced. The staff on the "dry" side of the store tends to be very attentive even on busy days. If you are a hobbyist on a budget, hit their website and sign up for their mailing list. The Aquarium Center has a clearance sale once or twice a year and it is a very good sale! Get there early (there was a line the time I went) and you can snag some real bargains.

**AaronT** · 08-04-2006, 03:37 PM

If you're going to Aquarium Center ask for Gloria. She's the nicest and most helpful employee they've got.

Goldfishcrazy11 · 02-25-2007, 02:18 AM

What happened?!? I called today to see if they had a certain fish in stock and the message was "we are sorry but Aquarium Center is closed for buisness. Aquarium Depot will be opening again in the middle of March."

What happened?!? Did it go out of buisness?!? There website won't even come up... It says "thanks for your patronage for the past 25 years".

**bigstick120** · 02-25-2007, 04:56 AM

From what I have heard the old owner went under, it was bought out and will reopen on the 2nd. Hopefully better then before

Goldfishcrazy11 · 03-03-2007, 01:28 AM

March 2nd?

**AaronT** · 03-03-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldfishcrazy11

March 2nd?

Sometime in March. The old owner was going bankrupt. They are changing the name to avoid incurring any more debt under the old name.

ultasol · 04-14-2007, 02:05 AM

Any word on this? I am visiting the MD area, near DC, tomorrow for a day

jgreg · 04-27-2007, 05:15 PM

Don't bother. This used to be one of the better places for dried goods (and fish a while back) but when I was there a couple of weeks ago it was barren. The fish are the same. I personally go to exotic aquatics when I am in the area. Better stock and prices. Just my .02.

**AaronT** · 04-27-2007, 06:30 PM

Technically Aquarium Center no longer exists. The previous owner went bankrupt and sold the place. It is now Aquarium Depot, but from the sound of things they are still getting things back in order. It'll take some time to bounce back from the pit it has become. Hopefully one day it will be back to its former glory.

jcali10 · 07-04-2007, 02:29 AM

I go there about once a month at least. I have noticed improvements. The place is restocking nicely. They have more merchandise on hand now. The selection of fish looks very good. I went to buy some plants the weekend before last and there was hardly anything there to choose from. I think they just happened to be sold out, as it was late Sunday afternoon. I know of no other place I'd rather patronize. Also, they are less than 15 minutes away for me. Petsmarts and Petcos just dont do it for me.

6t5Goat · 11-06-2009, 04:52 PM

Is this place closing?

I just got back from there and I have never seen so many empty tanks...

The dry goods shelves were pretty bare as well!

**bigstick120** · 11-06-2009, 06:30 PM

Its a recession

PaulThePlanter · 11-17-2009, 02:16 AM

i've been a long time Aquarium center/depot patron and have noticed their fluctuations in the service, but definitley ask for gloria dave or george they know how to treat customers, even though im only 15 they know im a good patron and have recognized me and helped me pleanty of times before, also for Excellent service and quality and price check out exotic aquatics, they are amazing and have a larger stock...just my 2 cents

hbosman · 11-17-2009, 03:28 AM

In Northern Virginia, there isn't much except Petcos and Petsmarts so, I drive 64 miles every now and then to Aquarium Depot. It looks like they are moving things around to to do some renovation. I bought 7 Cardinal Tetras there and 5 days later I haven't had any mortalities. I can't say that for Cardinals that I've bought at Pet Smart. I would lose half the first night. Alot of times the plants don't look to healthy but, they are still the best I have found in the area. For plants, it's better to wait for a GWAPA meeting, for fish, I guess it's still Aquarium Depot.

steve_dowg2001 · 01-04-2010, 03:33 PM

+1 about asking for gloria also ask for george he owns his own fish store called Deep blue tropicals in Hampstead maryland.Hes going threw tuff times soo his store is still open but hes working at Aquarium Depot right now. Kinda sucks for him =/ but hes a good guy.

08-04-2006, 03:37 PM	#17
AaronT Collectoritis Patient (View User Tanks) PTrader: (176/100%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: MD, USA Posts: 2,030	If you're going to Aquarium Center ask for Gloria. She's the nicest and most helpful employee they've got. __________________ In the D.C., Maryland, or NOVA area? Come check out The Greater Washington Aquatic Plants Association! www.gwapa.org

02-25-2007, 02:18 AM	#18
Goldfishcrazy11 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 74	What happened?!? I called today to see if they had a certain fish in stock and the message was "we are sorry but Aquarium Center is closed for buisness. Aquarium Depot will be opening again in the middle of March." What happened?!? Did it go out of buisness?!? There website won't even come up... It says "thanks for your patronage for the past 25 years". __________________ 10g- 1 Red Crowntail Male Betta, 5 Ember Tetras 20g- 3 American Flagfish, 1 Bristlenose Pleco 29g- 6 Glowlight Tetras, 1 Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish, 1 Apistogramma cacatuoides pair, 1 Albino Corydoras Catfish Plants: Echinodorus amazonicus, Mayaca fluviatilis, Vallisneria, Alternanthera reineckii, Microsorum pteropus, Rotala indica, Echinodorus parviflorus 90g- 1 Shubunkin Goldfish, 1 Sarasa Common Goldfish, 2 Common Goldfish http://goldfishcrazy.tripod.com/home.html

02-25-2007, 04:56 AM	#19
bigstick120 Algae Eater (View User Tanks) PTrader: (231/100%) Join Date: May 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,122	From what I have heard the old owner went under, it was bought out and will reopen on the 2nd. Hopefully better then before __________________ 55 gallon\| 29 Gallon\|ADA Cube\|58 Gallon My Photography site

03-03-2007, 01:28 AM	#20
Goldfishcrazy11 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 74	March 2nd? __________________ 10g- 1 Red Crowntail Male Betta, 5 Ember Tetras 20g- 3 American Flagfish, 1 Bristlenose Pleco 29g- 6 Glowlight Tetras, 1 Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish, 1 Apistogramma cacatuoides pair, 1 Albino Corydoras Catfish Plants: Echinodorus amazonicus, Mayaca fluviatilis, Vallisneria, Alternanthera reineckii, Microsorum pteropus, Rotala indica, Echinodorus parviflorus 90g- 1 Shubunkin Goldfish, 1 Sarasa Common Goldfish, 2 Common Goldfish http://goldfishcrazy.tripod.com/home.html

04-27-2007, 06:30 PM	#24
AaronT Collectoritis Patient (View User Tanks) PTrader: (176/100%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: MD, USA Posts: 2,030	Technically Aquarium Center no longer exists. The previous owner went bankrupt and sold the place. It is now Aquarium Depot, but from the sound of things they are still getting things back in order. It'll take some time to bounce back from the pit it has become. Hopefully one day it will be back to its former glory. __________________ In the D.C., Maryland, or NOVA area? Come check out The Greater Washington Aquatic Plants Association! www.gwapa.org

08-04-2006, 03:28 PM	#16
daguruvjt Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Reisterstown, MD Posts: 2	I've found that the Aquarium Center's service depends soley on when you go. In the middle of the day on a Saturday afternoon, the store can be very crowded and that affects service levels. The staff seems to range from young kids whose main job is to just dip out fish and plants, to older folk who tend to know a bit more. In my opinion the prices tend to vary widely; some of the dry goods are a bit overpriced. The staff on the "dry" side of the store tends to be very attentive even on busy days. If you are a hobbyist on a budget, hit their website and sign up for their mailing list. The Aquarium Center has a clearance sale once or twice a year and it is a very good sale! Get there early (there was a line the time I went) and you can snag some real bargains.

04-14-2007, 02:05 AM	#22
ultasol Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (8/100%) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NY Posts: 90	Any word on this? I am visiting the MD area, near DC, tomorrow for a day

04-27-2007, 05:15 PM	#23
jgreg Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: MD Posts: 81	Don't bother. This used to be one of the better places for dried goods (and fish a while back) but when I was there a couple of weeks ago it was barren. The fish are the same. I personally go to exotic aquatics when I am in the area. Better stock and prices. Just my .02.

07-04-2007, 02:29 AM	#25
jcali10 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 41	I go there about once a month at least. I have noticed improvements. The place is restocking nicely. They have more merchandise on hand now. The selection of fish looks very good. I went to buy some plants the weekend before last and there was hardly anything there to choose from. I think they just happened to be sold out, as it was late Sunday afternoon. I know of no other place I'd rather patronize. Also, they are less than 15 minutes away for me. Petsmarts and Petcos just dont do it for me.

11-06-2009, 04:52 PM	#26
6t5Goat Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (11/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 81	Is this place closing? Is this place closing? I just got back from there and I have never seen so many empty tanks... The dry goods shelves were pretty bare as well!

11-06-2009, 06:30 PM	#27
bigstick120 Algae Eater (View User Tanks) PTrader: (231/100%) Join Date: May 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,122	Its a recession __________________ 55 gallon\| 29 Gallon\|ADA Cube\|58 Gallon My Photography site

11-17-2009, 02:16 AM	#28
PaulThePlanter Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reisterstown, MD Posts: 14	i've been a long time Aquarium center/depot patron and have noticed their fluctuations in the service, but definitley ask for gloria dave or george they know how to treat customers, even though im only 15 they know im a good patron and have recognized me and helped me pleanty of times before, also for Excellent service and quality and price check out exotic aquatics, they are amazing and have a larger stock...just my 2 cents __________________ Starting up 2.5 nano planted All Advice is welcome!!

11-17-2009, 03:28 AM	#29
hbosman Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Leesburg Virginia Posts: 1,584	In Northern Virginia, there isn't much except Petcos and Petsmarts so, I drive 64 miles every now and then to Aquarium Depot. It looks like they are moving things around to to do some renovation. I bought 7 Cardinal Tetras there and 5 days later I haven't had any mortalities. I can't say that for Cardinals that I've bought at Pet Smart. I would lose half the first night. Alot of times the plants don't look to healthy but, they are still the best I have found in the area. For plants, it's better to wait for a GWAPA meeting, for fish, I guess it's still Aquarium Depot.

01-04-2010, 03:33 PM	#30
steve_dowg2001 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 89	+1 about asking for gloria also ask for george he owns his own fish store called Deep blue tropicals in Hampstead maryland.Hes going threw tuff times soo his store is still open but hes working at Aquarium Depot right now. Kinda sucks for him =/ but hes a good guy.

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