Getting Started in the Saltwater Hobby <meta http-equiv="pragma" content="no-cache"> <meta http-equiv="expires" content="-1"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="../css/default.css"> </head> <body> <table cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="700"> <tr> <td width=125> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td> <a href="../">chloe</a> > <a href="index.html">saltwater</a> > getting started </td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td> <h2>Getting Started in the Saltwater Hobby</h2> Getting started, I would read the messageboards at:<br><br> <a href="http://www.nano-reef.com">http://www.nano-reef.com</a><br> Specializes in people with tanks under 29 gallons.<br><br> <a href="http://www.reefcentral.com">http://www.reefcentral.com</a><br> More general reefkeeping site. <p> <table class="plans" bordercolor="#000000" width=100% border=0 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=2> <tr class="header"> <td> Here are the saltwater stores I have been to in the Bay Area: </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="sidebar"> Aquarium Concepts<br> 22398 Foothill Blvd<br> Hayward, CA <br> 510-583-9000<br><p> The best place by far in terms of coral selection. The fish they have don't always look healthy. They also have the largest tank selection and a nano-reef package deal for a 7-gallon setup for about $300. The prices on food and equipment is the most reasonable here, but mail-order is still cheaper.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Ultimate Aquarium<br> 2625 S El Camino Real<br> San Mateo, CA<br> 650-212-3474<p> They have a good selection of saltwater fish and coral. Prices are reasonable. They have tanks here too, but not as many options as Aquarium Concepts.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="sidebar"> Peninsula Tropicals Inc<br> 971 Laurel St<br> San Carlos, CA<br> 650-591-6801<p> Tiny, tiny store. Some nice coral, but a little pricey. Not really worth going to until you have your tank established.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Fish for You<br> 2996 S Norfolk St #A<br> San Mateo, CA<br> 650-349-9147<p> Another tiny, tiny store. The saltwater livestock doesn't always look healthy. The freshwater fish look good though.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="sidebar"> Natural Life Aquarium<br> 305 Town and Country<br> Sunnyvale, CA<br> 408-733-1399<p> Nice selection of coral and fish. Prices tend to be variable since they are not written on the tanks. I think they tend to overcharge, so I would be careful here. They charged one of us $10 per pound of live rock.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Aquatic Variations<br> 1774 Miramonte Ave<br> Mountain View, CA<br> 650-961-3474<p> Not a large selection of coral or fish, but they have nice freshwater livestock and friendly staff. Live rock is about $5 per pound.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="sidebar"> Seascapes<br> 298 Castro St<br> Mountain View, CA<br> 650-961-1386<p> About the same in terms of saltwater selection as Aquatic Variations. The main difference is the guy who runs the place isn't always friendly to beginner saltwater enthusiasts. Also be careful since some of their test kits on the shelves have expired, but they will still sell it to you. Live rock is $5-$8 per pound.</p> </td> </tr> </table> <p> The online stores I have tried are:<br><br> <a href="http://www.drsfostersmith.com">http://www.drsfostersmith.com</a><br> Good prices on food, additives, and equipment.<br><br> <a href="http://www.marinedepot.com">http://www.marinedepot.com</a><br> Good selection of specialty equipment including<br> lighting and reverse osmosis setups.<br><br> <a href="http://www.hellolights.com">http://www.hellolights.com</a><br> Good prices and selection of lights.<br> <br> <br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td height=25 valign=bottom class="note"> Last updated 2005.01.13 </td> </tr> </table> </body> </html>