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Well I now work at my LFS so I get a great discount. Also, we put signs on tanks that have sick fish explaining that the fish will not be for sale until they have recovered. My co-workers are all very nice and extremely knowledgable, and always try to share their knowledge with the customers. The owner is on a first name basis with nearly half of the customers. I used to shop at a different LFS that is actually closer to my house, but I would never go back there now. I don't mean to brag, but "my" lfs really is a terrific place.

Since we are all saying nice things is it ok to use names?

Well i will start, Fish Planet in Deerfield, Illinois is such a great place. Although their prices are a little higher i completely understand why. Their fish are of amazing quality and all of the tanks are perfectly stocked and the fish are sooo happy. Also, last time i went in there i had a lengthy conversation with the owner and he was so interested in my tanks, which really means a lot to me. Also, i wanted this one plant but i did not have a lot of money so he gave me a few extra stalks for free, and told me that since they were going to a good home he did not mind giving me a few extra for free!

we are very lucky as our main lfs is one of the best in the country

My own LFS rocks, I don't know about you folks. I have no complaints.

I have two LPS close to home, and two more a little bit farther away, and they all ahev their good and bad points. Two of these stores in particular are owned by the same people. They aren't chain stores really, but they are very large and carry almsot everything under the sun for just about any pet you can get in the state of NH. They both have a very large selection of freshwater, saltwater, and even brackish fish, and they also sell some plants and inverts. However, the difference between these two stores is Amazing!
The one closer to home is adaquate, but that's about all I've got to say for it. Their tanks aren't really clean, and there are often incompatible species kept in the same tank, and the staff aren't all that knowledgable, and often aren't all that helpful from a customer service standpoint. (I know this thread is for positive comments, so I'm getting there). Most of this stores large display tanks aren't really anything to write home about, however, have a very large tank containing a buch of "tank busters" that surprisingly has nearly adaquate filtration and the upkeep is pretty good despite it being terribly overstocked. I'm not sure these fish are even for sale, as some of them have been there for a number of years now.

The other store, farther away and slightly smaller, is the exact opposite. The tanks are clean with floating plants and rocks/driftwood in all the tanks, and they clearly do deep gravel vacs. There are ocasionally dead fish and outbreaks of ich, but that happens and the staff are quick to treat and clean the tanks. Speaking of the staff, they are great. Very knowlegable and helpful and friendly, and they clearly have some kind of aquascaping artist working there because their display tanks are absolutely gorgeous, and the people there actually know what's going on in them and are happy to talk to you about the various setups. I was completely surprised and impressed when one of the workers helping was easily able to tell the difference between females and males (platies and rams) and net me one of each. It's totally worth the extra drive to go to this store than to go to one closer to home, which I find very odd considering they're owned by the same people. *shrug*

Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...

Okay, My closest lfs is okay, but the one i really like is called exotic life. And honestly they are so helpful and not like a lot of places i know that live on thier comesions. They have healthy fish and very knowledgable staff. They also show and teach by example and dont OVER STOCK ANYTHING!!. If they cant accept fish because they havent sold enough they pass by the week because they dont want to hinder the fish(Can you believe that?!?) Oh and ive gotton to know the owner very well, and hes a major "fish addict" and because im a waitress=v. little money he usually will cut me deals (the best in the valley at least) so yay i think there really cool!!

Jess

Since there have been many posts about the negative points about their LFS etc, lets have a post about the positive things about them.

Shall I start off? Ok, the LFS I go to is about 30mins drive from me, a small store compared to other LFS around my area. They are located on the same street as my parent's shop and are chinese (the same as me...thus easy communication ) Well, since they opened up (about a year ago) I have became good friends with them and I get very cool discounts. Quite cool dont you think? Anything special they always contact me first hand and they sometimes give me freebies. Just like today, out of nowhere...the manager goes up to me and hands me a pair of scissors. "Stephen, go to the plant tank and cut the baby plants of the sword plants for me please..." Guess friends always can give them a hand...so I did...then I notice him bagging it up and hands it to me...I was like...huh? Woot? For free? He just nodded and smiled I guess not all LFS are that bad, apparently the LFS I go to are quite cool

Lets hear the positive things about your LFS

Mango [/font][/font][/font][/font]

One that I like has a lot of different cory species. Another one..father away ...carries a wide variety of fish, some that I have only seen online before. Guess it depends on what you are looking for. A third one has the best priced tanks.

The staff at 1 of mine make the newbies feel good

... thats about it

Alex

ooooo and occasionally they have some nice catfish.

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''All the clown fish and yellow tangs in the world cant save you now!''

Alex & Mangor, Where did you live again?
Cuz Ive yet to find a "Good" lfs...
*sigh*

The Fish Place rocks. That's about all there is to say really. You could see just about any fish that's out there to be bought in this store at some point. They have 3 large coral tanks now, a big salt section......and a 2,000 gallon tank. I'd take people there rather than going to the falls(niagara), it's just that nice of a store.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Im in Sydney =) Where I get all my supplies from in H2O Aquariums @ Sydney. You can go to my Website, and on the left side is a H2O banner

hmm, thanks It's a pity its in homebush though

So your in Sydney too?!? Maybe you should come down one weekend, I'll try to get you a discount