Well my experience at Aquarium Paradise has been good. The owner is very knowledgable if not a little old-school, and his frag tank is way better than any I have seen in Puget Sound. The store is clean, the tanks are clean, and I have never had any rude experience like I have had at a couple other stores in the area. The store owner is IMO one of the most honest retailers in the area and everything I have bought at AP is still alive and well.
Unfortunately we often judge a store based on selection and since stores get product in cycles, we often are put out by visiting the store when stock levels are low. Because "good" aquarium shops are typically small businesses with limited cash flow, they cannot afford to maintain high stocking levels throughout the week/month so these levels fluctuate significantly.
I had a similar and even worse experience as kendog at Shark Reef and did not return to that store until this Summer PSAS event. The guy I had the problem with on two occassions is now gone...Indoor Reef is another PSAS favorite but I am generally a little bored when I go there.
So we all view stores a bit differently and I would definitely recommend going to Aquarium Paradise and chatting with the owner.
went to saltwater city and got my stuff there.
