Any great fish stores around Kansas City, Kansas area?

[mrcrazypants05]

If anyone hear is even around this area at all... Does anyone know of any great fish stores for freshwater?

[mrcrazypants05]

guess nobody is from around kansas city lol

[Fubie]

LOL I guess I'm the closest to you here in Springfield, MO. I don't believe my largest (Not counting Petsmart) LFS, Pet Warehouse, has anything that far north. Glad to see I'm not the only mid-westerner here. Anyhow sorry to hijack the thread.

[mrcrazypants05]

lol no hijack... I've stumbled upon some stores, but haven't been to them to check them out. Theres even a custom aquarium store in mission. I might be going there to ask them about their prices on a 70 gal wide heh... One of the fish stores just like 10 minutes from me is really nice. He gave my mom a free female guppy, and he gave me a good price on a sponge filter. Great store and keeps me going back. He's got a decent fish selection as well. Decent ammount of african cichlids. He's got some larger ones too. He has some saltwater, but not much. Some clowns and couple of tangs and of course damsels. He has 2 volitan lionfish though. lol

[Viperboy]

well i just saw this post and then decided to make a name and join this forum ... but id just like to let you know ur not the only one ... i live in overland park and just purchased my first 30 gal tank ..... and just ordered a emperor 280 online (good filter?) ..... but funny story i used to be a cart boy at the wal mart on santa fe and blackbob

[JRagg]

I joined this board because this thread came up in a google search for me. I used to have an aquarium, and had to get rid of it when I move to KC. It would've cost more to move it than to buy a new one.

I'm back in the market for another aquarium and a good place to buy fish. There's no point in buying the aquarium if I can't find a good store in the area. I refuse to go to major pet stores as most of the fish there look like they're about to die.

Anyways, to make a long story short, let me know if you find a good store in the Kansas City area. I live in Olathe, but I used to travel half an hour just to go to the good store in Charleston, SC (I lived 2 minutes from a normal pet store). I'm willing to travel farther if the store is "that good".

Thanks

[justinh]

Well, I'm new to the hobby and have spent some time looking around the area. For Saltwater Paradise Aquatics in Overland Park has a large selection of tanks and fish, coral, plants, etc. I just ordered my Oceanic 72 Bowfront from Waldo Pets, while not a dedicated fish store they have a large selection and gave me the best price on the tank, stand, light and filter. They are a little high on accessories, especially compared to the online guys. They have outstanding customer service.

[JRagg]

Is Waldo a chain in the area or an online store? I've never dealt with them. I just looked up where Paradise is, and it is about 5 minutes from where I work (on my way home even). I'll have to check that out today on my way home.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll let you know if I find any other places.

[justinh]

Originally Posted by JRagg

Is Waldo a chain in the area or an online store? I've never dealt with them.

No it's just a local establishment. It's been around for years (that will become obvious when you see it), but they have a great reputation. It is located at 8011 Wornall.

[JRagg]

I checked out paradise last night. Apparently they are moving locations right now. Same shopping center, but on the other side of Price Chopper. Really nice stuff, but like you said they are 100% saltwater.

I'll have to check out Waldo. Thanks for the help.

[JRagg]

Here’s an update for those of you who may live in the KC area.

Aquariums etc. is pretty good. Their fish were healthy looking and they had a pretty good variety, but no apistos (which was a deal breaker for me).

Pet Land (at I-35 and Sante Fe) is pretty good. Their variety isn’t great, and their prices are a little high, but they do have healthy fish. They have a decent selection of live plants. The guy that is in charge of that section (Jeff) is extremely knowledgeable. IMO, he is the sole reason that their fish section is so good. Otherwise it would be just another average chain pet store.

Pet Planet (in Lee’s summit, which is not a chain store) is my new favorite store. It is run by the president of the HAAS (Heart of America Aquarium Society) and his wife. Seemed like he’s always up for a good “shoot the ****�. His father-in-law has a hatchery and breeds double-reds, triple-reds, and orange flash apistos. He usually has at least one of the three breeds in stock, and they are very good looking fish. He had a tank full of large, healthy looking GBRs when I was in there yesterday. Supplies are the same price you would expect in any LFS (higher than PetSmart).

In any case, if you live in the KC area I would take a look at these places. I’ve been to various PetCos and PetSmarts, and while not impressed I was not overly disappointed with what I saw. PetSmart is by far the cheapest place for supplies (if you print off the online price and take it in).

Hope that helps people who may be new to the area.

[imcgary]

i live in lawrence and petworld on 23rd and Lousiana is an excellent pet store the have several employees that are very knowledgable but the most knowlegable is the owner i cant think of his name at the moment. they have a decent selection of fish and supplies but the supplies are a little over priced however compared to the alternative "PETCO" they definately have the better selection.

I also recently visited PETSTOP in shawnee off of shawnee mission parkway and Nieman. was not very impressed they do have a cool Kangaroo in there.

[Titus]

If your willing to drive a little ways... my in-laws live in Topeka, and their is a fish store right around the corner from them called "Safari Pets". He sells tanks at cost. The tanks are anything from 10-180g, come with anything from particle board to oak stands. The prices are pretty awesome though compared to the LFS here in Warrensburg MO. Last I checked, he had a 125g with matching oak stand/canopy for 500$. Pretty darned nice to me.

For those in the Warrensburg area of MO, Country Pets and Ponds is real nice, he has no quaranteen period for his fish, but if you buy one and it dies, you just bring the dead one back for refund/replacement with-in 48hrs. I quaranteen at home for 15 days, but I havent lost one yet from him. He will order anything you want as well, which is always nice. Decent tank selection, minor live plant selection, fairly knowledgable. His primary specialty is angelfish.

Hope that helps someone.