Where do you buy your fish supplies?

We get the majority of our stuff from the DFS website. Lower prices and more selection and our local petco makes us happy to go elsewhere.

 

I put other store because I go to multiple stores.  I get some at my local pet store, some at petco since we have a good one, some at a Saltwater store, and others at pet supplies plus (excellent prices), and some at another fish store.   I don't get stuff online except what I can't find here, support local stores because that's where I get livestock and once I get shipping it's not that much cheaper.

 

we have 5 fish stores in our city (Chittagong), I get all fish supplies from these stores.

 

I get my stuff from a local Mom & Pop type of store.
Tom

 

I get all my fish supplies from the local fish shop.

 

I also picked other cause I pretty much end up spending an even amount in several places. I wish we had a local Freshwater fish store, but its a Saltwater town and I have to make do with Petsmart who has the best looking fish and the best selection of types.

 

I buy from who has what I want... Basically 3 main stores and my LFS has left me disappointed a few times...

1) Told me horn wort was a high light plant...
2) Told me male Betta's are not aggressive... It's the other fish in the tank that are...
3) Told me that C02 was a waste of time and money...

So I basically only go there if I have to now.. I don't ask questions anymore unless it is here or plant geek either... I am just sick of getting bad information from people that are supposedly in the know..

Also shop online at 2 stores and have had good luck with that as well.. Pet Smart and Drs Foster and Smith. ;D

 

Like most of the others, I go to more than one place. I picked PetSmart because I have spent nearly $1,00.00 there in the past few weeks and only a couple hundred if that at Petco. PetSmart staff are far more knowledgeable than the Petco staff here in Las Cruces, NM. Being an avid reader, I am able to establish (or not) what the guys/gals at the stores tell me.

 

Like most of the others, I go to more than one place. I picked PetSmart because I have spent nearly $1,00.00 there in the past few weeks and only a couple hundred if that at Petco. PetSmart staff are far more knowledgeable than the Petco staff here in Las Cruces, NM. Being an avid reader, I am able to establish (or not) what the guys/gals at the stores tell me.

Yea, i've found that pretty much, petsmart employees are better than petco in the aquatics section - perhaps petsmart has better policies/training or less of the "who cares" attitude that our petco has.

if we had a petsmart, i'd be putting them and DFS, but i'm sick of petco after them ripping me off with double charging, the endless bad advice their 'expert' gave us when we were starting out and the terrible way they run the fish department with the smallest effort possible, even the time we wanted to take home a nearly-dead betta to try to help him at least have some comfort before dying and the manager said "no discount, pick another fish". Since they're the only game in our town, DFS gets ALL of our business now other than 'need it today' emergency supplies and we really try to plan better now so that doesn't happen.. and it doesn't hurt that DFS is so much cheaper either.

 

I buy from who has what I want... Basically 3 main stores and my LFS has left me disappointed a few times...

1) Told me horn wort was a high light plant...
2) Told me male Betta's are not aggressive... It's the other fish in the tank that are...
3) Told me that C02 was a waste of time and money...

So I basically only go there if I have to now.. I don't ask questions anymore unless it is here or plant geek either... I am just sick of getting bad information from people that are supposedly in the know..

I agree whole heartedly! But as I live in a small city, there's only 1-2 petstores near me, so i've got to buy from them. Yeah... and I do NoT ask them any questions.

 

Like most of the others, I go to more than one place.  I picked PetSmart because I have spent nearly $1,00.00 there in the past few weeks and only a couple hundred if that at Petco.  PetSmart staff are far more knowledgeable than the Petco staff here in Las Cruces, NM.  Being an avid reader, I am able to establish (or not) what the guys/gals at the stores tell me.

Yea, i've found that pretty much, petsmart employees are better than petco in the aquatics section - perhaps petsmart has better policies/training or less of the "who cares" attitude that our petco has.

if we had a petsmart, i'd be putting them and DFS, but i'm sick of petco after them ripping me off with double charging, the endless bad advice their 'expert' gave us when we were starting out and the terrible way they run the fish department with the smallest effort possible, even the time we wanted to take home a nearly-dead betta to try to help him at least have some comfort before dying and the manager said "no discount, pick another fish".  Since they're the only game in our town, DFS gets ALL of our business now other than 'need it today' emergency supplies and we really try to plan better now so that doesn't happen..  and it doesn't hurt that DFS is so much cheaper either.

PetSmart requires their employees to attend classes/training. Here in LAS Cruces, NM they are very helpful and actually seem concerned for the fish, that I am doing the right things. The other day I asked a question of one of the girls and she didn't know that answer. She went and retrieved someone else who didn't know the answer. He went and retrieved someone else who arrived with literature in hand and explained the answer. At the Petco store I have on more than one occasion been responded to with a shrug and a "I'm not sure" while they stood there most politely waiting for the next question. There is one employee at our Petco in the fish dept. who is a hard worker, hands always on something busy and seems enthusiatic about his job. Doesn't know his fish though- he told me my Tiger Oscar was an African Cichlid.

PetSmart gets first crack at my money!

 

I choose PetSmart over Petco any day they treat me better, know more, and definitely care more about their fish.

 

I use

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They have supplies you usually cannot get from shops, such as shipping bags.

 

I use

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They have supplies you usually cannot get from shops, such as shipping bags.

cool, bookmarked it & will check it out.

 

I buy from 2 different local stores, as well as from Big Al's online. I have not yet ordered from DFS, but am looking at them for some live rock for a Saltwater setup I am working on.

 

I've gone to PetCo (they have the best combo tanks with All Glass aquariums, Whisper Filter, Florescent light in hood (not a fan of incandescent), etc. for a good price when talking about 10 or 20 gal tanks) but pretty much everything else about them is pretty mediocre. Also they don't usually have a good selection of stands (if any at all). So for those I've been going to PetSupermarket, however, for everything else they are either way too expensive (things like Prime they sell at 2x the price of everywhere else) or just have a lame selection. So nothing else from them. For my fish and general supplies so far I've been going to PetSmart. They take the best care of their tanks (usually no dead fish) and they are the only one's that sell Omega One food which is one of the brands I've been considering for my food. They also sell parts that no one else stocks regularly, for example, my 20 Gal kit didn't come with the extension tube for the Whisper filter so it could reach far enough down in my tank. Went to 4 specialty stores and all were out of stock. On a whI'm I tried PetSmart and they had 10 in stock. Unfortunately their combo tanks leave a bit to be desired with incandescent hoods and TopFin (their own brand I think) filters. So it's a combo of the 3 that I normally visit. I have ordered from Drs. Foster and Smith, but unless I have a large order, it's usually cheaper to get it from PetSmart considering a $3 bottle of prime becomes $13 when you tack on $9.99 in shipping. But with tax it is only $7 from (it's a little more expensive then $3 also) PetSmart. So it just doesn't pay for the here and there items.

 

After reading numerous threads the last couple of weeks that few members buy fish at LPS and just a small number buy them at LFS seemingly most appear to purchase fish, plants, food, & meds on line.

My question is where do most members go to buy their tanks, stands, and substrates?

 

Tanks, stands and substrates are the heaviest parts of a tank, thus cost the most for shipping.

Most will go to your LPS/LFS for these.

I have heard of a lot people who choose to use sand, get it from pool stores as pool filter sand. It is like $8-12 for a 40lb bag compared to $16 for a 20lb bag at PetCo.

 

Because of the shipping costs I pick up my tanks locally. Either at pet stores or flea markets or from Craigslist.


There is actually a local store that sells used tanks but they're kind of a pain to drive to. Traffic over there is rough.

 

I bought mine through an independent lfs store. They also price matched with big store names as well.

I would never consider buying anywhere where I can't personally drive to go see it. I would be more concerned about returns if something were to be bad and try and figure out how to get it back to wherever.

I think the extra costs if any compared to some internet stores is well worth the hassle if there ever was one with the tank ( shipped with a crack, etc )

 

Thanks all, this is such a great site!

 

I build mine

 

Wow! Now that is really neat.

 

I get my tanks on Craigslist. Except for my 20 gallon, it was a good deal so I bought it new.

 

Just curious- Where does everyone buy their fish tanks, supplies, and live plants/fish? Petco, Petsmart, LFS, Craigslist?

 

Short Answer: Basically I shop around lol.

Long Answer:

For my five gallon I got it at petsmart, but I got just the tank no kit.

I bought many supplies on drfostersmith site when they had their sale, got a glass lid, good heater, good light, and couple of plants.

I also bought some things off of amazon because the prices were good and I have prime so free shipping. I got the fish food, stuff to make snello, sponge filter, and three live plants.

I ended up getting driftwood from ebay after trying to get a small piece from amazon which showed a range of five to ten inches. Amazon gave me ten inch peice instead of closer to five inches. Ebay specified five inches. Also bought my betta fish from Ebay, high shipping but the seller ships from the U.S, and includes a heater pack. Less expensive then shipping on say aquabid for me.

I got a Zebra nerite snail from peabodysparadise website, as well as live plants. Seller sent me two free olive nerite snails as well, the zebra did not make it but seller did refund me and was very professional. Plants are thriving.

Finally I am buying snails from someone on this forum too.

 

I shop around for the best deal usually. All my tanks I've bought second hand.

 

clk89 Thanks! That's exactly what I wanted to know. I actually just put in a snail order with Peabody's paradise after reading your answer. LFS is always out for some reason.

 

E bay for my supplies. They'll usually negotiate

 

Amazon for supplies, fish at LFS, plants depend on who has what I'm looking for.

 

Amazon for supplies. Tanks just wherever I can find the best price. (the two I have now came from petsmart (36 gallon) and petco (Fluval Spec V).

As for fish I typically do an all of the above strategy.

I've bought fish at the local petco. They seem to take very good care of their fish but just don't have a lot of selection (Betta and Platies). My LFS has a ton of variety so I have bought almost all of the rest of my fish from them. I have also bought fish from ebay (kuhli's), and Trins Fish (kuhli's, nerites, mystery snail)

Plants are like the fish. I've bought some of my plants from my LFS (anacharis), some here on the buy sell trade section (crypt wendtii, dwarf sag, java fern), some on ebay (micro sword, ludwigia rupens, bacopa), and some again from Trins Fish (crypt wendtii

 

Tanks
For used tanks I check Craigslist a few times a week, stop by thrift stores, garage sales (not in winter) and I have friends that keep a look out for tanks for me. For new tanks I wait until Petco has the $1 per gallon sale. We have a smaller chain pet store that also does the $1 per gallon but it is up to 75 gallon tanks.

Supplies
I buy my food at one of the big chain pet stores (petsmart, petco, petsupplies,...) just depends on who has the best sales.

I buy my sponge filters from a local pet store they have 20-30g sponges for $4 that come with air stones. Great filter I have them in a lot of my tanks.

Fish/plants
For my fish and plants my first place to look is Craigslist, then local pet stores and then the bigger chain stores. I have found the fish from Craigslist are in very good health and I get a better deal.

 

just out of curiousity, what is the chain that does the buck per gallon sale up to 75?

 

just out of curiousity, what is the chain that does the buck per gallon sale up to 75?

petco has the dollar per gallon sale, but I think it is only up to 55 gallons.

 

just out of curiousity, what is the chain that does the buck per gallon sale up to 75?

Yes petco only does up to 55 gallon but "Uncle BIlls" sale includes 75 gallon tanks. I think they are here in Indiana only but not sure about that.

 

Over here in the UK, I build my own tanks. Most of my supplies come from Destination Aquatics, my LFS.

 

HI there! Recently after 5 years of awe and intense MTS, I've decided to go ahead and invest a large sum of money into a massive fish room/breeding business. While looking for tanks to fuel this, I couldn't find a single one! Well, not true, but not entirely wrong. What I have plans for is six 100G tanks, twenty 40G tanks, six 20G, and twelve 10G tanks. I had originally planned to buy them from my local Petsmart, but they don't stock 40-gallon tanks or 100-gallon tanks. Plus, they only have three 10 gallons and 20 gallons in stock at a time! I'm hoping for someplace relatively cheap(10 gallons for under $30) that I can order them online and have them shipped in batches or all at once. Any ideas or places you guys know about?

 

Have you checked craigslist?

 

Actually, here are some from petsmart that are good and recommend.
10 gallon:

20 gallon:

40 gallon:

 

Always second hand. You can find dirt cheap setups with a pinch of luck and some patience.

 

I use Craigslist. Found a 29 gallon with hood and lights for $20. Great find, aquarium was like new!

 

Actually, here are some from petsmart that are good and recommend.
10 gallon:

20 gallon:

40 gallon:

In response to this, I was looking at these but my local PetSmart doesn't stock 40 gallons and only carries 3 of the 10 and 20's a month. I also am in a dead zone and unfortunately can't have them shipped to stores from the website.

 

Have you checked craigslist?

I have not, I was going to see if any of you guys had some sites before I went snooping around there

 

The Petco dollar per gallon sale is going on now so I have been buying a lot of tanks, lol. I went from one before the sale to four HAHA!

 

diffenetly try Craigslist or Kijiji(if your from Canada)

I've gotten all 15 of my tanks used for great deals.

it'll be your cheapest bet , I've seen some hobbiest sell their entire garage worth of tanks for cheap , since they no longer have interest or for wtv other reasons.

 

I should have definitely checked Craigslist, I have a former reptile breeder selling 30 tall 20g's for $10 each, $7 each if you buy in bulk. Guess I'm changing my setup from twelve 10 gallons to eighteen 20 gallons! Thanks y'all!

 

I should have definitely checked Craigslist, I have a former reptile breeder selling 30 tall 20g's for $10 each, $7 each if you buy in bulk. Guess I'm changing my setup from twelve 10 gallons to eighteen 20 gallons! Thanks y'all!

Make sure they weren't sold as reptile tanks, but actually aquariums. Reptile tanks aren't sealed the same and aren't made to hold water and they ones that are usually are only sealed to hold water no more than half way up. They are a lot different then aquariums.

 

Make sure they weren't sold as reptile tanks, but actually aquariums. Reptile tanks aren't sealed the same and aren't made to hold water and they ones that are usually are only sealed to hold water no more than half way up. They are a lot different then aquariums.

I'll be sure to water test them and if any leaks pop up I could go and get some silicone seal from my local hardware store. Either way, I think it's going to be a lot cheaper doing that (if I have to) than buying the glass to make the tanks myself or spending $30-$40 on 20G aquariums new.

 

I'll be sure to water test them and if any leaks pop up I could go and get some silicone seal from my local hardware store. Either way, I think it's going to be a lot cheaper doing that (if I have to) than buying the glass to make the tanks myself or spending $30-$40 on 20G aquariums new.

It's not just the seal that make terrariums different from aquariums, but also the glass thickness. In a normal 10 gallon aquarium let's say you run about 6mm thickness of glass, where as a reptile cage or terrarium may only be 4mm thick. Just a heads up before you have exploding tanks left and right.

 

Hi.

Simple, random question. Where do y'all go for your equipment? Local pet store? Online? Specialty vendor? Does it matter?

How about your plants or animals? Obviously pet store is simpler on the creatures (theoretically less transit) but I've heard about people ordering plants and animals online?

What have people found to be the pros and cons?

Thanks!

Apologies if this question isn't in the right place or anything...