Aqua Hut

[billsreef]

Originally posted by Hogs
There are so many species of wildlife in this hobby that's it impossible to know everything.

That's what keeps it interesting, always something new to research and learn

[onegreenray]

I agree i have had one of the pruple ones and the lettuce type in the past when i first started. but after watching one die thats usually when most of use call it quits for them. unfortanetly in this hobby most people don't use RC and get the facts on there buys before they but them. so yes it is we vote with our dollar.

[JB NY]

I've never had a problem with Aquahut either. It actually never occurs to me that the prices are not on the tanks. I generally know what I want and will always ask what the items costs before I buy it, I've never had a problem doing things like that.

I think if it comes down to is, do you know what you are looking for? If he has it, right before you buy it ask the price. I wouldn't worry too much about the prices not being on the tanks. I find that Don's prices are the same if not cheaper than most internet companies. Both for dry good as well as livestock. He moves a crazy amount of product through his store which is why the prices are so low.

I think that Don's attitude is that, it's my business, I can run it however I want. I don't have a problem with that. He's a personal guy, has a good attitude, is open long hours and has good prices. If he doesn't need to answer the phone to stay in business, more power to him.

He also takes care of the regulars. If you are there a lot and he knows you spend money regularly in his store he will do better pricing for you. Country Critters does the same thing BTW.

I would say to give Aqua Hut another try as well.

[DragonZim]

I've been shopping AquaHut for about 3 years now. Don is a great guy even if he doesnt answer his phones. I had ordered some live rock from him last year and at the time he was having trouble getting it in for some reason. He called me twice a week for about 3 weeks keeping me updated on what was going on.

The pony tail guy, Tony is great. He came over from Country Critters and actually has his own livestock import business which is why you may have seen some new stuff around since he's been on board. A former roommate of mine, Tim, used to work there as well. He was the other pony tailed guy that used to be there... Also, there is a young guy with red hair working there that seems to know what he is talking about as well. I've never had a problem asking for prices. most places I've been to that had prices on the tanks were outdated anyway, with the listed items not even being in the tank anymore.

[martinphillip03]

Aqua Hut does not have a phone. Can't answer what you don't have. He does have internet prices. He's been doing it over 30 years. Must be doing something right.

Marty

[imlocke]

What do you mean by internet pricing? That he has his prices listed online, or that he gets his prices off the internet? Because I've noticed that the prices are even better than liveaquaria and petsolutions as well.

[martinphillip03]

I meant his prices are overall close to online prices. I haven't checked every price, its only my observation

Marty

[Hogs]

Originally posted by martinphillip03
I meant his prices are overall close to online prices. I haven't checked every price, its only my observation

Marty

Aquahut's prices are actually better than on-line unless there is an on-line sale.

[gusto1]

Does anyone know what time they open Saturday morning ( thats one reason to answer a phone), I don't want to drive all the way from East Meadow to find out there closed.

Thanks

[Hogs]

Originally posted by gusto1
Does anyone know what time they open Saturday morning ( thats one reason to answer a phone), I don't want to drive all the way from East Meadow to find out there closed.

Thanks

I believe that they open 9 to 9 but don't take my word on it. I was there at 9am one morning but that was a weekday. I'm assuming that Saturday's are the same. If I was a gambling man, (and I am) I would bet that they open at 9am. Let me know what's in stock.

[gusto1]

Thanks hogs,

I will post what he has

is anyone certain of the time.

[Johnenewt1]

[rgnbull1227]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you should NEVER dump new fish, from ANY STORE, into your display tank. Fish need to be quarantined a min of 4 weeks in a QT tank to ensure the fish are disease free. This is Aquarium 101. if you notice fish being sick in QT, then you can treat there and NOT in your display tank. I know the first thing you want to do is blame the LFS, but the onus is on you here. I dont care where the fish comes from, all new fish SHOULD be in QT.
Just my 2 cents.

Really sorry for the loss though. nothing worse.

[jaynie1028]

All fish stores carry ick in their tanks. They have such a large turn over in fish every week that it is impossible for the stores not to have it. This is the reason why you are supposed to have another tank setup and treat all fish before adding to your display tank. Same goes for freshwater as we do with out reef tanks. I have bought many healthy and sick fish in the past. You just never know what you are really getting because not all sickness are visible. Always us cautions when adding a new fish. I have learned the hard way many times. Sorry to hear about your lose

[Long Island Andy]

Originally Posted by rgnbull1227

hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you should never dump new fish, from any store, into your display tank. Fish need to be quarantined a min of 4 weeks in a qt tank to ensure the fish are disease free. This is aquarium 101. If you notice fish being sick in qt, then you can treat there and not in your display tank. I know the first thing you want to do is blame the lfs, but the onus is on you here. I dont care where the fish comes from, all new fish should be in qt.
Just my 2 cents.

Really sorry for the loss though. Nothing worse.

+100

[username in use]

Joined RC just to bash a store?

[mguili1947]

thats your problem,you ever heard of Quarantine! Dont bad mouth a store because you didn't do it

[cullyisgully]

Originally Posted by username in use

Joined RC just to bash a store?

I would say its some one that has beef with them JMO

[username in use]

Originally Posted by cullyisgully

I would say its some one that has beef with them JMO

He wrote his beef. The mods removed it. What he posted about was completely his fault, not the stores.

[lrasser]

I've been going to Don for over 20 years now. His prices are usually unmatched anywhere. He gets his fish the same as any other LFS. Does this guy think they go and pick them out of the ocean and only take the perfectly healthy one? Or maybe he thinks they all get kept in individual tanks and treated for every disease just so he can get a perfectly healthy fish. If you can't figure out the answer to these questions it's time to find a new hobby.

[rgnbull1227]

Agreed. Just the fact he stated he went online and read that Ich is a parasite. Seriously? In this hobby and never heard of Ich, not to mention, the guy at Aqua Hut told him about Ich. Wrong hobby to be in you dont do your homework or things like this will be a regular occurrence.

Originally Posted by lrasser

I've been going to Don for over 20 years now. His prices are usually unmatched anywhere. He gets his fish the same as any other LFS. Does this guy think they go and pick them out of the ocean and only take the perfectly healthy one? Or maybe he thinks they all get kept in individual tanks and treated for every disease just so he can get a perfectly healthy fish. If you can't figure out the answer to these questions it's time to find a new hobby.

[MikeC120]

Wow and the OP was made 8 years ago

[Hoopz87]

Not for nothing though, aqua hut is hands down the WORST store on the island. Has anyone been in there as of late? I walked in and walked out five minutes later in disgust....dead fish in tanks , algae covering everything, no coral.... If anyone has been to Caribbean blue aquatics, tropical island or aquarium village, AND then went to Aqua hut, you will understand what I mean.

[JB NY]

Prices on dry goods are cheaper than anyplace on the Island, most time cheaper than online. Show up on Friday all the tanks are generally filled with fish and sometimes coral, he pretty much moves everything over the weekend. He is not the best place for coral, but he doesn't try to be.

[dforlenza]

Originally Posted by Hoopz87

Not for nothing though, aqua hut is hands down the WORST store on the island. Has anyone been in there as of late? I walked in and walked out five minutes later in disgust....dead fish in tanks , algae covering everything, no coral.... If anyone has been to Caribbean blue aquatics, tropical island or aquarium village, AND then went to Aqua hut, you will understand what I mean.

I too have walked in and walked out of aqua hut. have not been back in a while. they had more dead fish in tanks, and algae than the other 3 fish stores I go to combined... and seemed less helpful.

I buy from one LFS on a consistent basis. They took the time to explain things to me and give advise when I was starting. They actually sold me a few things that cost less than the items I was planning on buying, they explained how the less expensive items were better suited. I also have not yet gotten a fish with ich or any other issue. but they do not stock as much, so when I'm looking for something specific I sometimes have to wait. But I don't mind waiting for a store I trust, and that knows me very well now.