Reef Stores in Denver - Some Observations...

[DUPioneers]

If anyone cares, below are some reviews of my recent Reef Store visits...all within the past 30 days. Please keep in mind that these are merely my observations from limited time spent in the stores and are not meant to disparage anyone's favorite LFS. These are clouded with my biases and expectations and your mileage may vary. Still interested? Read on:

AquaMart: (In Lakewood, just off Hampden on Wadsworth)

Experience Rating: 9.0/10

First visit.

Comments:

Good: Large, bright store. Lots of tanks and hard goods. Asked lots of questions, got good advice. Didn't treat me like a second class citizen, just because I'm new-ish. Passed the "confirm a few things that I already knew from spending hours at ReefCentral" test. Didn't try to sell me anything. Let my 2 year old look at stuff to his heart's content. Explained store's quarantine procedures quickly and efficiently. Livestock looked healthy. Display tanks were clean, healthy looking, and well set up.

Bad: Staff person was unfamiliar almost to the point of being afraid of LED lighting for reefs.

Will definitely return. These guys were the consummate professionals and didn't treat me like I was an idiot. Really, a great experience.


Elite Reef: (in Broomfield - on Wadsworth around 80th ave)

Experience Rating: 6.0/10

First visit.

Comments:

Good: Multi-level frag tank is VERY impressive, with stuff that you can't find elsewhere. Livestock in sale tanks looked very healthy and was marked to show degree of "reef safe-ness", which was nice for a new guy. Display reef tank is not terribly impressive, but is clean. Lots of CUC critters available. Nice looking live rock.

Bad: Place is SMALL and DARK...I mean, everything is painted black. Staff was aloof and somewhat unfriendly, particularly when they realized that I was new and wasn't buying anything that day. They were less-than-thrilled about my 2 year old being there...seemed to think he would damage something. Asked about quarantine procedures and was told "we quarantine everything" and....that's it. Minimal hard goods selection. Dead - LONG dead (at least a day) - powder blue tang in a tank in QT room.

Funny: Had a substantial water spill from RO/DI area during my visit..I mean, they had to break out the squeeges!

Will probably return if, for no other reason, than to see if staff rudeness is systemic or just "one of those days". They do have nice corals and some livestock that I haven't seen before, but it's a long way to drive (I live in central Denver, near DU) to be treated like crap.


Reef N' Pond: (on Santa Fe - just north of Dartmouth)

Experience Rating: 6.0/10

First visit.

Good: Fairly good selection of hard goods. Large display tank that looked clean, but was minimally stocked. Big tessalata eel in another DT that my son loved. Friendly staff that understood I was new and asked what they could do to help. Nice frag tank. When my wife asked about Mandarin Dragonette, advice given was perfect (wait until your tank has been up and running for a year...make sure you have a producing fuge...don't have other pod eaters that will outcompete them).

Bad: Aside from corals, most livestock offered for sale didn't look quite as healthy as at Elite or Aquamart. Subdued lighting on sale tanks, making me wonder about QT procedures (didn't ask...).

Notes: Weird store. Set up 1/2 reef and 1/2 back yard pond. Didn't venture into the pond section as I don't want carp in my back yard.

May return. It's fairly close to my house and the staff was friendly and eager with advice.


Key's Island: (Santa Fe & Oxford - next to A1 Scuba)

Experience Rating: 4.0/10

Been a couple of times.

Good: A couple of nice display tanks that, to be honest, look like they're just about to get away from the staff in terms of husbandry (so I'm not sure that's really "good"...). They are nice to my son here and don't mind him running around and going, "Dat's a blue tang!!! Dere's a flame angel!!!"

Bad: Not much in the way of hard goods. Staff is occasionally Best Buy-esque...ask if you need help once, then have a tendency to completely ignore you. On one visit, a staff member assured me that a flame hawkfish wouldn't eat shrimp if you got it when it was small and the shrimp were large and well established...not sure I believe that. Obvious aptasia on liverock marked as for sale. Staff told me about their established quarantine procedures, but not entirely sure if they are followed, as I saw a Hepatus tang that obviously had ich.

Meh: Kind of a rag-tag store, but it's close to Costco, so we can bribe my son with the promise of going to see fish if he behaves while in Costco. Some livestock looked very healthy - others did not. Frag area is a couple of 150s in the back corner with frags growing on plugs stuck in a multi-level acrylic frame...plenty effective, I'm sure, just not very impressive. Almost all fish were marked as "Sold" or "Hold for so-and-so".

I'm sure I'll come back to this place, simply because of its proximity to Costco and A1 (my dive shop of choice). But, I doubt I'll ever buy anything there.


Anyway. Hope this helps folks in Denver. There are lots more reef stores that I'm sure I'll hit eventually, but these are just the ones I've been to in the last month. Depending on how this is received, I may update with new store visits as they happen.

Cheers!!!

[CRW Reefer]

Surprised to read about your terrible review of Key's Island. I have been a avid customer at Key's for years and I truly believe that Ki and his staff are kind, honest and knowledgeable as you can get in SW community. Ki himself has been in the business for years and years and is extremely knowledgeable and honest with his pricing and customer satisfaction. While I would agree the store doesn't look like the Bellagio at all times, I don't believe you can beat his pricing anywhere in the Denver Metro area and if you can I would bet he would match it. The staff has always been great at recommendations and or advising what not to mix and match and what is reef safe and what is not. ...... But I do digress because as you said these are just your personal opinions.

"Cheers" and Happy Reefing!

[majic1mike]

Well I do have to say I agree 100% about Elite. It has happend twice now and I will never go back. Once they where to busy watching a football game to help, then a vendor came in and I felt like I was chucked to the side .

I do have to say that my view of Aquamart is way different. When I went in I thought it was dirty, and the aptasia (same level as liquid kingdom) was out of control. They where in the coral tanks live rock tanks fish tanks. I made my wife walk out with out her fish. After that she called me an aptasia snob oh well.

Good write up!

[wprice]

I am interested to see what a newer hobbiest would think about the stores in the south and east side of town. Neptunes, Todds Tropical Fish, Fish Palace and Great Barrier Reef.

[SWQuest]

I have only been to Todd's tropical fish and fish palace. These are my opinions:
Todd's: friendly people, small selection of corals large selection of fish, I would give it a 6 out of 10.
Fish palace: very very very small selection of saltwater stuff it's more freshwater I would give it 5 out of 10

[Ghosty427]

I'll have to check out Todd's and Neptune still, and report back. Is Denizens of the Deep still around in Ft.Collins? Haven't been up north since college ages ago, but it was really nice with tons of salt fish and a (huge) new modern full-store filtration system in back. (Before anyone had that)

I went to Exotic Aquatics (Boulder) over Christmas, still there! Kinda small shop. I'll have to check back and make sure they quarantined that poor Mandarin that was on it's 'last fins' and getting picked at. The guy said Sai still owns it! (After 30+ yrs.?) Wow.

[LSBoogie]

Denizens has been gone for quite a while. Switched hands a few times and finally landed as Great white aquatics. Good place. Owner is trying hard to rebuild all the damage from the last two owners so cosmetically its kinda rough but their customer service is good and the stuff they do have all looks happy.

[Rockys_Pride]

Originally Posted by wprice

I am interested to see what a newer hobbiest would think about the stores in the south and east side of town. Neptunes, Todds Tropical Fish, Fish Palace and Great Barrier Reef.

Can only speak for Neptunes, as my GPS and apparently the Google address is wrong for the others. Aiptasia breeding ground. Only place that consistently has Berghias though. They were breeding bristlenose albino plecos last time I was there, seemed more knowledgeable about FW than SW.

[Eman79]

Hi guys. Stumbled upon this and wanted to add my 2c. I'm new and have only visited 2 stores. Elite reef, and liquid kingdom.

I found the same issues at Elite Reef. Looked clean and healthy, but staff was not helpful at all.

I find liquid kingdom to be helpful and friendly, but I'm concerned about their cleanliness. Does anyone here deal with them? Any reviews good or bad?

LK is closest to my house. I'm around i25 and 112th, so driving to Lakewood etc. is a bit too far for my "go to" store.

[deepblue&you]

Reef and pond has really gone down hill since evin left most of the stock is in bad conditiion.
keys omg don't get me started, supprised hes still in business.
Neptune's. Ok
Aquamarts def the best for the south end of town.

[reefsafe]

I am a fan of Elite Reef. Maybe you caught it on a bad day but to me the staff is helpful. I like that they quarantine their livestock and they bring in a nice variety of corals at a good price. Given the difficulties in running a local business (especially fighting the coral farmers and the online shops) I am grateful to have this store. I stop by whenever I am in the area to browse their selection and they carry the essential dry goods that I need in a pinch. I don't make it to the other stores so I can't comment on them.

[kalgra]

Originally Posted by reefsafe

I am a fan of Elite Reef. Maybe you caught it on a bad day but to me the staff is helpful. I like that they quarantine their livestock and they bring in a nice variety of corals at a good price. Given the difficulties in running a local business (especially fighting the coral farmers and the online shops) I am grateful to have this store. I stop by whenever I am in the area to browse their selection and they carry the essential dry goods that I need in a pinch. I don't make it to the other stores so I can't comment on them.

I couldn't agree more! Elite Reef is a fantastic LFS that really takes pride in their business. I will happily pay a little more to buy from Elite rather than on line just to continue to support them and keep them in the community. They always have a great selection of quality dry good and supplements. I frequently visit Elite and they always have a well stocked and quality selection of corals and fish.

Its unfortunate that someone had what they considered sub par service, but that's just business and you cant please everyone all the time. However I know first hand that the owners and any employees with the power to do so will go above and beyond every time to correct any reasonable dissatisfaction with their service and the goods they sale.

The Denver area is fortunate to have many good LFS but when I think quality and service Elite is always the first that comes to mind.

[sbreefer]

I am a seasoned reefer and It has been a long time since I even considered trying to buy anything from a LFS. I went to Elite on my way back to Steamboat on Sunday after having read a review above. The owner was not there, and the staff, marginally/ not very knowledgeable at best. I had a staff member try to tell me a green milli was a monti digitata. they have about 3 acros for sale but some interesting LPS frags and chalices. A LOT of the LPS frags are very small. No inverts really to speak of for sale. limited associated dry goods. Saw some lymph/ich on a few fish for sale. Staff on hand were not willing to cut me a piece of slimer or Hammer from other colonies for sale. Store is small and dark, but I dont hold this against them. I probably would not return and I'll stick to online vendors.

[dendrite]

I always had a good experience at Elite but the store is small and the dry goods very limited. The livestock were well priced and healthy. The best place in my opinion in the Denver area is Aquatic Art just off of Santa Fe and 470. There was a spread in Coral Magazine several months ago on Cris the owner. It's the best I have seen anywhere but unfortunately open to the public only Fri. and Sat. afternoons. The pricing compares favorably to LA and the quality to DD. Good selection of used equipment such as Ca reactors, skimmers and sumps.

[herostar]

Thought I'd chime in and bring up a couple spots not mentioned yet in Englewood.

South Broadway Tropicals has fairly good prices but a relatively small SW selection.

There is a new (6-months maybe?) shop one block south and across the street from SBT too, and conveniently it's next to a brewery! They're still settling in on their inventory, but from what I could see everything was very healthy and colorful. They have things like clams and rare angels that many other shops do not. It is quite small, but the livestock tanks all look like biosphere display tanks.

These two places are about a mile from Ki's Island, which I've shopped at for years.

[neogenix]

Hands down my favorite store in colorado is Aquatic-Art (odd hours though), and they had hands down the best coral I'd seen. For coral there's also ReefKoi, and Gonzo's. Fluid Designers are also doing Retail now, and they're a good bunch (the previous owners of Aquamart I believe)! Aquamart is also one of my favorites... There're a few stores in Fort Collins that are pretty neat, one has a huge oval (read MASSIVE) tank in the middle.

[Bagabaga]

I saw that hammer and they told me they would drag a piece and call me when it was available. No call. The women of elite reef seem to be the most knowledgable and helpful of their crew. I especially liked speaking with the blonde girl. Don't know their names.

Aqua Mart is where I went and got my hammer frag and maxima clam (huge and on sale) also mentioned squamosa clams and they got some in not a week later. Too rich for my wallet at the time though.

I wish being in Westminster I had a place closer to go to besides elite and fish den.

Also a review for fish den: they are friendly staff, limited corals that are almost over grown in a couple tanks by anthelia. I bought a few rescue corals from them for CHEAP. Fish selection is also limited and the whole store seems more freshwater centric. Their knowledge is decent and most are not reef keepers.

[Pdfcrazy]

I've been in nearly every reef store uain the metro area. I honestly cant give any "high" approval on any of them. Each one has its pluses and its minus's.

Keys Island: Dirty dirty dirty store, and poorly maintained tanks. The plus side is the abundance of cheap and plentiful frags, though.....make sure to dip. I dont find Ki to be very friendly, Ryan much more so...but he seems to have disappeared in the last few months.

Neptunes: knowledgable, OVERPRICED, polite staff, though the owner Sharon can be a bit snobby. Mostly clean well taken care of tanks and livestock.

Aqua imports: overpriced, but mostly clean brightly lit organized store. Some staff is knowledgable, most not so much. Hard to get any help here most of the time.

South Broadway Tropicals: Jerry the owner i smostly unfriendly, store is moldy, filthy, smelly, and falling apart. 20+ years ago this used to be one of the better stores. It hasnt been in a VERY long time. Store is for sale and likely going under. Dead fish floating everywhere, lighting burning out. diseased fish, no QT procedure. Horrible

Stone aquatics: Right across the street from South broadway tropicals. Very small hole in the wall shop. My bedroom feels larger than this shop. managed by previous owner of catfish charlies. Very clean store over all, not much hardgoods.

Aquatic art: probably the best store in the metro area. This store is literally in a commercial garage, but dont let that deter you. It IS set up as retail. Only open fri-sat, other days by appointment. Owner is polite, informative, and runs an aqaurium maintenance company the rest of the week. His prices are mostly fair to high. Main display tank is very impressive as are the frag tanks. Probably the store I would choose to shop at all the time if he was open all week.

[Irishman360]

I've been to a handful of them since starting off as a newb a month ago.

Aquamart - Is pretty much my go to store if I have time to make it down there. Everything looks clean (appearance is a plus in my book), the customer service is outstanding. Always giving me great advice on what to do with my tank that I come in asking questions about. Very informative people. They also had a stand for my cube tank that was missing or not ordered in when I bought it.

Neptune - I have only been there once. I like the store for both aspects of fish life (SW & FW) since my wife has a fresh she started with. They were very organized there and compete in prices from what I overheard from on a customer conversation. SW & FW tanks are separate side of store but a color code system would be nice to know which one is actually which, or at least write SW/FW on the tanks themselves.

Elite Reef - Second go to store when I can't make it to Aquamart. These guys are very knowledgeable themselves as well. I go there if I need some water or want second opinions on something. They are always more than willing to order stuff in for you. They also have a clean environment IMO.

The Fish Crew - I have only been to this store once. They as well are very informative. They helped me with my sump questions and told me about a skimmer foot print. They have a very clean store IMO. Again plus for being a SW & FW and also staying open everyday of the week. SW & FW tanks are separate side of store but a color code system would be nice to know which one is actually which, or at least write SW/FW on the tanks themselves.

About Fish - Went there once to look around. Plus for being a FW & SW store. They as well were informative but seemed kinda snobby about it, when asked about FW stuff. SW & FW tanks are separate side of store but a color code system would be nice to know which one is actually which, or at least write SW/FW on the tanks themselves.

Liquid Kingdom - They talked me into starting up a SW tank, which I don't regret. I got all my supplies there first; tank, sand, rock, filter system (bioballs), return pump and water. I wish they would of informed me more about what I need as far as start up. They only sold me 8lbs of semi-live rock and a 5lbs of dead rock. They told me come in the next two days to buy fish to put in my tank, which I learned is kinda frowned upon on doing a fish in cycle lol. Did not mention anything about cycling or about not using bioballs because they are nitrite traps. After I bought everything from them and set up my tank I did some digging on the internet and stumbled upon this site where I read everything there is to read about start up. After learning about what they didn't tell me I have a really hard time going back because of all the lack of info they gave me for a start up tank. They did seem knowledgeable and were really nice, and store was a little dirty to me.

[PWarren]

Can anyone recommend any good places for live rock in the Denver area? And I'm not talking real reef crap, but real full of life live rock.

[Bagabaga]

I've seen some clean rock at fish den on 44th and elite reef cures their own wet rock quickly.

[Jscwerve]

Just getting into aquariums again after many years without, so I hadn't been in an LFS for quite some time. The last time I can remember going to one before the last couple of months is probably 2005. That's when I lived in Aurora, and Todd's was the place for me. Here are my more recent reactions from jumping in head first back into the hobby, mainly saltwater.

Todd's: The staff there are always friendly. The store itself is kind of run down, and the selection of saltwater livestock isn't that great. Although I was surprised to find they had some really cool stuff that I hadn't seen elsewhere like jellyfish. They have a great large selection of used equipment which will keep me returning there when I just need to pick up some misc equipment that isn't critical. Prices are decent and they will barter on the used equipment.

Nepunes: Nice looking store, it helps that it is close to my house on the southwest part of town. I stop by there if only for the convenience factor. The prices here are INSANE compared to other LFS. The staff are friendly, but I feel like they are always simply trying to sell sell sell!!

AquaMart: Very clean store. Nice selection and decent prices. I've only been there once, but the staff were very nice even on a weekend where it was really busy. Good selection of Loc Line. I'd shop there again (and I'm sure I will once I start buying frags).

Keys Island: This place was kind of intimidating to me when i first went there. I was still in the initial phases of researching getting a tank going and it almost felt like I was not welcome. The staff didn't really acknowledge that I was even in the store. I did notice however that their prices were better on pretty much everything than anywhere else. This store is the most convenient for me to go to because it is only one block off of my commute home. Frag tanks there are decent looking and well stocked. With the majority being $5-$10 it can't be beat. I have stopped in several times since then to pick up misc water test kits, plumbing fittings, even got some live rock. Having gone there several times now I am greeted when I come in, I've been asked my name, and feel much more welcome. I've started to purchase my water there (better priced than every other store in town) and will continue to go there for the majority of my needs now. Several times when I've come in a purchased several items at a time the owner has given a random discount of a couple of bucks for no reason. The staff seems to never be just hanging out. It seems like they are always busy doing water changes and other tank maintenance, like every single time I've been into the store. I'm guessing my first visit was probably off because it was on a weekend and I'll bet that most looky-loos will come in one time and never be seen again, especially on a busy Saturday or Sunday. Since then, this has become my go-to LFS.

[jamie_mercer]

I frequently visit many of Denver area fish stores and here is my take. Bear in mind this is just my opinion based on what I've come to expect in 20 years keeping fish. I've seen sick or dead fish at every store in the Denver area at least once. I quarantine all livestock, corals, rock etcetera and I fully recommend all other hobbyists do the same. If anyone needs help with this feel free to message me.

I can't say anything about Todds as I haven't been there in over a year but that's due to my not being impressed the first time I went there.

Keys Island - dirty store and livestock seems so-so but I did find a couple coral frags here once after they took in a bunch from a area reefers tank tear down. Again this place has never impressed me and IMO your time would be better spent going to another store. I've been 2x in as many years and can't foresee me going anymore than that.

Elite Reef - clean store and livestock looks good, I rarely see sick fish. They have a moderate coral selection, mostly brown or green and some sps. That said the prices here are high especially on dry goods, like up to 2-3x what you will pay elsewhere. For example I payed 2x for a power head what I later saw for 1/2 the price at another nearby store. This store is ok but the only thing elite here is the prices even though they do carry live rock I can't recommend this store if you have to travel more than 10 minutes and then use caution as you will likely find the same thing elsewhere for significantly less. Staff could be friendlier and more knowledgeable.

Liquid Kingdom - this store is close to my house as are Elite Reef and About Fish the tanks here are very dirty and the nitrates are off the charts. They have a moderate dry goods selection, prices are fair and they will barter and deal with you. I have seen ich on some fish however I believe every reefer should assume that any fish bought has ich and should quarantine and treat any fish you buy no matter where it's from. This store only carries a small coral selection all of which is soft with a few lps. If this store is close say 10-15 minutes it's worth checking out due to prices and the friendliness of the owners.

About Fish - this store impresses me over and over. They deal both salt and fresh and though salt selection is less than fresh they typically have a good selection and the tanks are ALWAYS clean. I've seen other stores as clean but never cleaner. Prices are good and I've rarely seen a sick fish here. Quarantine all fish! Sales are common here and you could find good deals regularly. Staff are knowledgeable and have given good advise when I have asked for it. Coral selection is small and a mix of soft and lps corals. I bought my regal tank from here for $29, clownfish $12 and my snowflake eel for $20. Dry goods selection is small but good for the store size. I would recommend this store if you are within 30-45 minutes though I would call ahead first to see when when the new shipment comes in and time your visit to that. Also check craigslist out as they regularly post sales and promotions there.

Neptunes - the highest prices in Denver but the livestock all looks good. One of the few stores that actually quarantines and treats fish which impresses me though this cost is passed on to you. Selection is usually good for livestock and the dry goods selection is one of the best in Denver. The also offer live foods in the form of black worms and brine shrimp which they feed to the fish in addition to frozen. Tanks/store is clean overall and staff are friendly though knowledge could be better. Before I got my clowns I asked if the had any that were already hosting an anemone to which they said no but not to worry I was guaranteed that any clowns I bought would host which is completely misleading at best as some clowns never will and different clown species host different anemone species. There's a mix of different corals mostly soft and lps with very limited sps selection. I can't really recommend this store based on prices but overall selection can't be beat so it may be worth checking out if you live close or are in the area. Open 7 days a week.

Aquamart - this store is the biggest I've been to and they have a good selection of both dry goods and livestock. They also have a quarantine system though not all fish seem to be put through it. Store/tanks are clean and well lit. Prices are good for dry goods, livestock seems to be about average for the area. Coral selection is good and there's a good variety of soft, lps and sps. I'd recommend checking this place out if you're within an hours drive. They are closed on Tuesday I believe.

Stone Aquatics - this store is newer and I've only been once. The staff couldn't stop talking up the owner and how there would be 5 more in Denver soon and how they have fish flown straight to a warehouse they have somewhere in Denver bypassing a stop in LA. That said I wasn't impressed, tanks were dirty, dimly lit and the water was cloudy. Having only been once I haven't fully formed my own opinion yet and I will update this after I visit again.

Aquatic Art - this store is the gold standard all other stores in the Denver area should be held to. Coral, fish and dry goods selection is amazing. There is no better selection of coral anywhere in Colorado that I am aware of. Fish selection is limited but clean and healthy. Dry goods selection is amazing. Store/tanks are clean and well lit. This place is only open Friday and Saturday but I'd drive 1-2 hours each way to come here. If you want to keep corals or add more corals you owe it to yourself to give this place a visit.

If I had to pick only 3 stores to keep it would be Aquamart, About Fish and Aquatic Art. This is all just my opinion and I hope it helps people. I've been keeping aquariums for over 20 years and I have pretty high standards of what I expect from an lfs.

[jamie_mercer]

Also for the DIY'ers out there Plasticare is a great source for all your acrylic needs and they offer cut to size pieces either by table saw or laser. Saw cut pieces can be ran through the joiner by request just make sure to ask before they cut so the can oversize the price appropriately. Laser cuts are an additional charge. They carry all the solvents you need including weldon 3,4,16 and 40 as well as all the tools and polishes you need. This store is one block from Keys Island.

[Jscwerve]

Originally Posted by jamie_mercer

Also for the DIY'ers out there Plasticare is a great source for all your acrylic needs and they offer cut to size pieces either by table saw or laser. Saw cut pieces can be ran through the joiner by request just make sure to ask before they cut so the can oversize the price appropriately. Laser cuts are an additional charge. They carry all the solvents you need including weldon 3,4,16 and 40 as well as all the tools and polishes you need. This store is one block from Keys Island.

Yup, that's where I've been getting my acrylic. Good guys there.


Nice to see someone from Great Falls!! I grew up there!! CMR 1996!!! lol