[ed4]

I'll probably get flamed for my review but alas here it comes! Be understanding that I'm trying to be objective with my own experience and opinions. I'd like to make it clear that I don't work for them or ask advice. This is just my opinion as a eavesdropper who keeps to himself.

I work at a place that's a 1/2 mile from here and I usually stop by a few times a week on my break.

Pro's
-Frequent shipments of new livestock. Great variety of uncommon stuff. For me, it's worth checking out at least twice a week.
-Good selection of dry goods at "fair" LFS prices, with the exception of anything made from acrylic tubes.
-Definite unbeatable prices on fish that would retail for under $60 at other places. Fair market prices or slightly less on more expensive fish.
-The staff treats me good, but I can also believe the treatment by the other posters.
-A reliable place for me to trade in unwanted livestock for store credit. This is a rare service I appreciate in these rough times.
-Claims to quarantine fish in the basement for a day. If this is true. Other nicer LFS drip acclimate their fish in the aisles then dump 'em the same day.
-An occasional maricultured gem might show up in their 180g coral tank. Most times, they'll price these the same as the other uglies. I once got a red Ricordia Yuma rock for $75!
-Occasional screaming deals. Deals on certain AGA tanks, livestock and dry goods. I suspect that their 28g Nano tank deal w/ HQI and stand for $499 might even be a loss-leader. The tank alone sells for $499 on the 'net, w/o stand.
-Livestock health is fair-to-okay. I've seen worse. Aquarium Adventure, 'nuff said. That place is definitely a "Mental Adventure".
-Eels. If you like them, and if you're brave, seasoned or misguided they have them.
-I use this place as the "Ed test". I can tell if "it's on" when perusing fish w/ the new honey. Seriously, its a nice-sized facility IMO.
-Stocks some Tunze stuff. They even have a Wavebox on display. I will go as far as giving them 'props for that.


Con's
-Buyer beware: carefully inspect fish for signs of distress, ailments, appetite, etc. Ailing fish is slightly more common here then other places.
-If they have Acans, sometimes it's a gi-gantic $500 colony the side of a side of a soccer ball.
-Their 180g coral tank needs some TLC. In most cases SPS & LPS that sits in this tank for over 2 weeks might show tissue recession. Some of their torches sit upside down for days.
-Their live rock... GOOD GOD MAN! At times I'm tempted to buy some activated carbon from them and do 'em a favor... dump it into their rock tank! The water is urine yellow from DOC's and anything else that pureed itself from being in that water. Most of their pieces I've inspected were DENSE as hell. Not the screaming bargan you would think it would be. Don't forget the associated curing time that would probably be measured in seasons.
-Eels. IMO some wasted space. That bottom row of tanks w/ the same ribbon eels only, their $2,000 or so pair of those Dragon Moray eels. At least they got rid of that boring 14" monster cod that was eating yellow tangs. To be fair, they probably got roped into taking it in as a sympathetic trade-in.
-Occasional miscompatibilty when keeping livestock in their tanks. Some of their fish doing battle and mutilating each other. See example w/ that giant cod.
-Occasional mislabeling. I saw this on two different occasions. "Bali Royal Gramma" and "Bali Swiss Guard Basslet".
-That one jerk that works there - the blonde kid with the goatee. He can kiss my ass. The others are good to me.

IMO still a place worth checking out, especially if you're local. As long as you keep my advice handy.