I am working towards getting back into salt after 10 years of the "My kids take all the money so I cannot afford a fish tank" disease. I am doing extra jobs at work, and my wife/bookkeeper (wife) told me I get to use the extra money that I make for whatever I want. I estimate that I will get about $1000 in my pocket in the next 4 months. (plotting) What to do with the money.... How about a "small" 20-30 gallon reef with light, camera, action...
I have been doing my research. For the last month I have been lurking around reefcentral.com and nano-reef.com and reading A LOT. Much has changed since I had a "reef" tank in the early 90's (it was the "new" thing to ditch the crushed coral and replace it with sand...) There was a link on NR that lead me to here (imagine a reef society in my home town, and I did not know about it... you need more advertisement). I plan on attending the meeting/lecture on Sunday. I am interested in the discussion on salt tanks in the classroom (did I mention I teach High School science...)
My question is what is the best reef store in the area? If you had $1000 to put into your tank, where would you spend it? I do not think it is fair for store owners/employees to vote for their own store (unless you say that you own it/work there as well). Also explain WHY you think it is the best. I am not necessarily looking for the best prices, but that is a bonus. I want to support the best stores that give the best advice, have the best customer service, have the best selection, eventually will trade frags (this is where I want to end up... slowly!)
My experience in Portland fish stores is limited. I grew up in Gresham, and my parents bought fish from Caye's (on SE Division) before I was born. I bought my first tank as an adult from them (20 gal hex with freshwater). I went back there last weekend for memories and to look how the store has changed (some, there is a lot more in the way of coral).
I have stopped into Upscales (Tualatin) and was impressed with what they had. This was also when I started considering getting a CurrentUSA AquaPod 24g 150HQI. The person in the store assured me that I could "put any coral they had in there, and keep it alive with those lights"
I also went into Saltwater Fanta-seas (Parkrose area). I was not impressed with the price I was quoted for a new tank, but I will probably be back to get some corals. Nice owner/worker (?) whoever it was that I spoke to.
I also followed the links that were in this forum to many of the stores around. I plan on doing some visits in the near future. The store in Salem looks like it may be worth the trip, and the Amazing Aquarium in Albany is a road trip for my near future. Maybe in conjunction with the rock building seminar in Albany in a couple of weeks (sounds interesting)...
(peace)
