[rodahl]

I would recommend Arizona Nature Aquatics. They are very knowledgable on matters concerning freshwater aquarium design and husbandry. Their display tanks are impeccable, which shows their attention to detail. I am very pleased with their service.

 

[tricken]

i agree ana is one of the top lfs in the usa if not the world. owner is spot on tanks are spotless and it is a great place to shop, se, chill and just enjoy all freshwater tanks.

 

[chayos00]

I hate to say this, but the customer service there has not been top notch at times. I've gone there and been completely ignored at times when I went there to buy some stuff. So for the longest time I didn't go back to the shop. Don't get me wrong Ben's store is awesome looking and his tanks are great. But just because appearance is good, doesn't mean service is always good. I know several folks in town who feel the same and don't go there anymore because of that. Hell if I walk into someone's private store, how hard is it to say hi, or will be with you in a bit. Don't pretend that I didn't even walk in the door.

It sucks that he's the only quality store in town though...

 

[tricken]

I know he has a lot of lookie lous and that can wear you down, Ben always lets me wonder and look and then if i need something i just let him know and that works fine with me. I know he is busy doing cleanings, bagging, and anything else. so i don't expect a hi right away and in a way it is nice to look and find stuff then ask vs a sales man breathing down your neck.

But i can see if you need help and he is just ignoring you. then that is just not good

 

[Playhouse]

I love ANA! I can understand the frustration of being ignored as a customer. Its a shame you didn't have the same experience I have had with them. The first time I visited I was overwhelmed with the options, Ben noticed me and asked if he could answer any questions, I declined at first but when I was ready he gave me the best advice I've ever gotten. He was honest about what I needed to successfully keep the tank I had in mind instead of just selling me something I could afford that day. When I go to other stores now I feel like my time is being wasted.

ANA is the cleanest store I've ever visited. If you walked in blind-folded you would think they sold spa treatments. No odor, nothing is neglected, and the fish are healthy. Ben knows his craft and it shows. Both in the store and in my home.

 

[torquehound]

ANA is the best store I have ever been in. He beats the best saltwater stores I have ever been in and used to be heavy into salt. I went back to fresh after moving to AZ and I have never seen anything like his store.

 

[SlabMonster]

I would agree that ANA is pretty awesome. Ben may not be in-your-face-friendly, but he's given me hours of his time in help and advice and never refused to offer it. If you ask, he will literally sit down with you and draw you pictures to help you set-up your aquarium with plants and lighting, as he did for this poor newbie.

I like that he's able to let you browse and you don't feel obligated to hold a conversation. I would take his type of customer service any day.

And the store is absolutely gorgeous.

 

[HarrySLumen]

I can't imagine anyone finding something to complain about with ANA. I've been giving them all of my money for 4 years now and I don't plan on stopping this wreckless behavior anytime soon. I've been to hundreds if not thousands of aquarium shops throughout the world and that is the best one by a mile for reasons that exceed the fish, the knowledge and the tanks. There is a strange ghost running through that place that brings me a real peace that I cannot place. I love that feeling and I don't know why. I would be real suspect of a person who felt at odds with it, but there are a lot of people out there who feel uncomfortable with not being greeted literally AT the door with a fake plastic smile so if that's your bag, you will not like ANA.

 

[causemisahastheeyes]

My only issue is that all the tanks are RO water. Acclimating fish from that to our tap can be rather stressful.

 

[SlabMonster]

How are you acclimatizing? Yes, it's stressful, but it's easy to mitigate the some of the shock. It's no different that any other fish store in terms of hardness, pH, even salinity (as other stores dose salt in the fresh water aquariums).

Given that, you do have to be sure that the fish you buy there will work with tap water. For example: Ottos cannot survive in Tucson tap water. I'd recommend taking a sample of your tank water to the store and ask Ben to test it and have him recommend fish that would survive in your parameters. He also sells RO water for $0.50 a gallon.

I'd probably sell it too if someone couldn't afford his prices- weekly water changes can be expensive. There are also RO filters available for sale on craigslist- I purchased mine for $20 (spent $10 fixing it up and 2 hours reworking the horribly incorrect plumbing).

 

[Ben125]

ANA is the best planted tank store I've ever been to. I actually like that he lets you look for as long as you want without bothering you. Even Phoenix stores don't come close.

 

[tricken]

I agree with the water we have an ro systems is worth it. not only for cooking and day to day drinking water but changing your tank to it. Also keeps the white crust off my tanks.

 

[causemisahastheeyes]

I keep mostly Lake Tang cichlids so no, RO water isn't worth it. He had some nice looking leleupi some time ago but switching them over to my water wouldn't have been worth it. I understand RO water for marine tanks with our tap water being so high in phosphates, but for most aquariums the standard stuff from the tap is fine.

I don't know how hard all Tucson water is, but in Litchfield Park I kept otos in well water, and in Phoenix I've had them for years in standard tap. Maybe Tucson has worse water. Either way, the acclimation process is more of a pain for me when it comes to adjusting a fish from RO to a pH of 8.4.

 

[SlabMonster]

Yeah that's fair. I think the water from our tap was 350+ TDS- KH and GH in the mid-high 10s. To the point of embarrassment at the store.

If you're fish are fine they I wouldn't muck with it.

 

[PhilipS]

ANA is the best planted tank store I've ever been to. I actually like that he lets you look for as long as you want without bothering you. Even Phoenix stores don't come close.

That store in Phoenix won't bother to acknowledge you.

AZ Nature Aquatics is like an Apple store for Freshwater fish and plants.

 

[Verivus]

Yeah that's fair. I think the water from our tap was 350+ TDS- KH and GH in the mid-high 10s. To the point of embarrassment at the store.

If you're fish are fine they I wouldn't muck with it.

PH 8
TDS ~450
KH 5
GH 19+

Is what I got from my API tests and TDI meter last I checked.

 

[SlabMonster]

Yup. Sounds like Tucson water.

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

Just got the notice that Ben and Marche will be closing Arinzoa Nature Aquatics at the end of the month.

The store is doing well, and it's not covid related. They are taking an opportunity to shift gears completely and are doing more environmental field work amongst other things... Well just read the announcement for yourselves: https://www.arizonanatureaquatics.com

They will be missed. There really is not a counterpart to them in Tucson. Big void to be filled.

 

[nonnac28]

Huge void =[ there’s really nothing else here.


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[chayos00]

Shark Reef is stepping up their FW game, as well as there's a new place, believe called Abstract Aquarium. Haven't gone yet, but would be worth checking out. Shark Reef will order things from their list.

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