House of Tropicals

[shawmutt]

Holy crap. That is the nicest way of saying what I was thinking as I wandered into this store. I have never in my life been in such a wonderful place as this. It was like I died and went to heaven. I am so overwhelmed by how nice the store looked. The wife and I were bored today, so we decided to take a little road trip to Glen Burnie, MD to check out the lfs (not so local , about an hour's drive) that someone (sorry I forgot who it was ) in this forum suggested. Rick's Pets, my former favorite pet store, was blown out of the water (pun intended) by this place. I asked about a particular species I was looking for, s. njasse, and they didn't have it, but--and I still can't get over this--they pulled out a BOOK to see what I was talking about! I have never, ever, heard of a place that actually uses books and doesn't have people that pretend to know everything. Just the three loooooooong aisles of fish was well worth the drive...the fish were slightly more expensive, but I could tell the price was well worth it. The salt water selection was the largest I have ever seen outside of the Baltimore Aquarium...when I win the lotto they are getting a lot of my money! The only complaint, and I have this about all lfs, is that the scientific names aren't displayed with the common names. I also saw a full grown yellow lab, and I'm thinking "I'm gonna need a bigger tank." If anyone is in the general area, I would recommend a trip to this place, it is amazing!

[michealprater]

Sounds like a great place!

Well, better late than never for some comments!

I haven't been there in a couple years, but I used to work near House of Tropicals. Sometimes I would go there on lunch hour just to look at the tanks and de-stress. It's that good!

IMO, the whole state of Maryland only has 2 fish store worth a darn, House of Tropicals, and Aquariun Center, in Reisterstown. Both of these stores are what an LFS should be.

I now go to Aquarium Center, but that's only because they have more plants, and it's maybe 5 miles closer to me. Still 30 miles, but worth a trip every 2 months or so.

[oscarbreeder]

sounds like a great store.
Wish there were more like it here in S.C.

[Electrobes]

better than gainesville thats for sure.. the only good store here is Aquatexture, and they are comepletely saltwater! Being a just freshwater guy sucks.. okay well change that I am a brackish water man in about 1 - 2 months (getting a sole Green spotted Puffer) and eventually it will be a full marine creature. But yeah the other stores here are miserable.

[pco1988]

Yeah House if Tropicals is cool.

Talking about all saltwater:

Do you have a reef tank?
Do you hate seeing all those pretty fish that are not?
Do you want a big selection of corals from Nano to Show Size?

Well East Pacific Aquaculture aka Dr Mac is 100% reef only fish and inverts.

drmaccorals.com

They are located in Mardela Springs, MD.
They also ship but it is cheaper going there and a great experience if you live in Maryland or a weekend vacation(about 40 minutes from Ocean City, MD)

[Fluff]

I've only been there once and it was when they were first setting up the saltwater tanks. I'll have to go back before I give an opinion.
Shawmutt, have you ever checked out Exotic Aquatics in Baltimore? It's not much father down the road and really worth a trip if you get the time.
pco1988, I've made the trip to Dr Mac and it was awesome. It's a 4hr drive for me but am considering going again.

[WooHoo]

The two best LFS in Memphis are SW only. Great stores, but I have not reached the point that I am ready to start a SW tank.

I really long for the days when I lived in Milwaukee and Chicago where there were quality LFS within 30 minutes in all directions! When it comes to equipment I still think the internet is the best option for prices, but when it comes to live plants, fish etc, Memphis is a real let down!

[4inchSandBed]

If u think House of Tropicals is nice u should seriously consider checking out EXOTIC AQUATICS by far the best place in Maryland, its super clean with a huge selection of fish, coral, lighting, supplies etc. Also the Aquarium center is nice... i would personally rank the 3..

1. Exotic Aquatics
2. Aquarium Center
3. House of Tropical

also u should check out Todays Pets, they have a good assortment at very reasonable prices

[Fluff]

I agree, Exotics is where I shop most and have boasted numerous times about them. Aquarium Center has some decent fish but their saltwater stuff has really taken a downward slide.
Where is Today's Pets located?

[aquanaut]

Oh nooooooooooo I was in MD last week on Vaca (Chestertown area ) . I got bored and was looking for a place to shop . I saw both of those listings in the phone book. Wished I drove out there Maybe next time>

[4inchSandBed]

Originally Posted by Fluff

I agree, Exotics is where I shop most and have boasted numerous times about them. Aquarium Center has some decent fish but their saltwater stuff has really taken a downward slide.
Where is Today's Pets located?

Todays pets has 2 location.. ive only been to the one located in columbia mall. They have a nice but small variety of marine fish and corals. If u go there i wouldnt recommend takin your girlfriend or daughters cuz they have a huge selection of puppies and youll end up buyin one for a ridiculous price

The Petco's around me in columbia also have a nice variety of marine fish.. clowns, tangs, eels, lions, dwarf angels, sugarlips, puffers and etc.. I like goin to Petco cuz its sometimes half the price of most lfs.. like i got a my 2 percula clowns for 25 bucks, and at house of tropicals it cost 40 bucks

[badfish]

Im gonna have to go with Fluff & 4inch. I was visiting 4inchsandbed around two months ago and we went to all three, and EXOTIC AQUATICS WAS AMAZING, it was so clean, big, tons of corals and tons of fish. Aquarium Center had a pretty nice bowfront display tank (i think it was like 1000 gallons, with a turbo snail the size of a softball), but when i was there most of there tanks were empty, but a have huge tank selection. House of Tropicals was also nice, either one of them is 10 times better then the ones in Albany

[davebailey46]

Exotic Aquatic is only like 5 miles from my house...(Lucky boy) and out of the 3 major (Aquarium center, House of tropicals) It is by far the best...Make the trip...
Plus the last 2 times I ran over to the aquarium center their salt tanks were horrible but the aquarium supplies costs are low