- Location
- Amityville, NY
LFS in Orlando, FL & MOSI Florida Frag Swap
I was in Orlando, FL for 2 weeks and took the opportunity to check out a few Local Fish Stores and also a Local Frag Swap in Tampa.
I travel to Orlando often, every 2 months. In fact a majority of my reef equipment was purchased from Ocean Blue Aquariums. And that includes, sump, Radion G1 LED, Seaside Aquatics Skimmer, and 2 MP-40 Vortechs. This was all before I knew of MR and all the LFS that we have in NYC and Long Island. I remember it was fun explaining to the security guards at MCO what all the equipment was. Not really.
Here's a list of stores I visited on this trip.
Top Shelf Aquatics (recommended)
7250 Aloma Ave #102, Winter Park, FL 32792
A newer store with high end equipment (Controllers, Dosers, Skimmers, etc), and great coral and fish selection. Prices were decent, comparable with NY prices on average, but I've also seen cheaper prices in NY. I liked the fact that the store had lots of PVC plumbing parts (more than what I found at (HD/Lowes), and they even sell little containers filled with ammonia to start a new tank cycle. I saw them at the MOSI Frag Swap in Tampa and they gave me a $20 gift certificate to use in the store. Good thing I went to the Swap first. Very nice and friendly staff.
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Worldwide Corals (recommended)
11765 Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32837
This place was very clean. Quite unlike a LFS, not a drop of water on the floor, or dirty tanks. All tanks were clean, fish was healthy, coral frag tanks were filled and fully labeled. The display tank is very impressive (both of them). You can tell a lot about the quality of the livestock and service just by entering the front door. Prices were on the high side, but I wasn't there to buy anything, I was just interested in checking out the place. I spoke to a few of the employees, they mentioned that the ebay auctions is where I can find great deals. I've looked at their ebay auctions in the past, but never really considered purchasing anything. After visiting the store I can honestly say now that I won't hesitate to purchase from them online.
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Ocean Blue Aquariums
Address: 2246 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792
This store is where I got most of my Reef equipment several years ago. I was really excited to visit again but was disappointed when I got there. It seems the store is a bit run-down. Lots of dying or dead fish, dying corals, and not very clean. I've heard that the owner might be looking to close the store soon. So I wasn't surprise to see a 20% off all livestock posted. I guess competition is at play, Top Shelf Aquatics (above) is only 7 minutes away and on the same road! I spent the least amount of time in this store.
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Florida Frag Swap at MOSI, Tampa 2016
I spent a few nights in Tampa and Clearwater. I drop the family off at the Hard Rock Casino and went to the Florida Frag Swap at MOSI. MOSI is 10 minutes away from the Casino. Upon walking in I was greeted by a kind gentleman, who turned out to be the President of the local club. He tried to get me to become a member, but after I told him that I'm from NY he offered that if I show my NY club card (LIRA) I can pay $5 to get in. I was super excited. I also got a gift bag with free swag, either because I was one of the first 200 or that I belong to a club (not sure). The swap was small, nothing compared to the MR Swap, NERAC, or FFM. I did get several items, all dry goods. There is a company that sells frag plugs and mounts DIRT CHEAP. Its a family that makes them in their garage. I'll post a link as soon as I can find the card. I also met the guy behind ME Corals. Very energetic guy and passionate about the hobby. I picked up the Amino concentration and will be trying the 2-part when I finish with my current ESV & BRS stock.
I was in Orlando, FL for 2 weeks and took the opportunity to check out a few Local Fish Stores and also a Local Frag Swap in Tampa.
I travel to Orlando often, every 2 months. In fact a majority of my reef equipment was purchased from Ocean Blue Aquariums. And that includes, sump, Radion G1 LED, Seaside Aquatics Skimmer, and 2 MP-40 Vortechs. This was all before I knew of MR and all the LFS that we have in NYC and Long Island. I remember it was fun explaining to the security guards at MCO what all the equipment was. Not really.
Here's a list of stores I visited on this trip.
Top Shelf Aquatics (recommended)
7250 Aloma Ave #102, Winter Park, FL 32792
A newer store with high end equipment (Controllers, Dosers, Skimmers, etc), and great coral and fish selection. Prices were decent, comparable with NY prices on average, but I've also seen cheaper prices in NY. I liked the fact that the store had lots of PVC plumbing parts (more than what I found at (HD/Lowes), and they even sell little containers filled with ammonia to start a new tank cycle. I saw them at the MOSI Frag Swap in Tampa and they gave me a $20 gift certificate to use in the store. Good thing I went to the Swap first. Very nice and friendly staff.
--
Worldwide Corals (recommended)
11765 Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32837
This place was very clean. Quite unlike a LFS, not a drop of water on the floor, or dirty tanks. All tanks were clean, fish was healthy, coral frag tanks were filled and fully labeled. The display tank is very impressive (both of them). You can tell a lot about the quality of the livestock and service just by entering the front door. Prices were on the high side, but I wasn't there to buy anything, I was just interested in checking out the place. I spoke to a few of the employees, they mentioned that the ebay auctions is where I can find great deals. I've looked at their ebay auctions in the past, but never really considered purchasing anything. After visiting the store I can honestly say now that I won't hesitate to purchase from them online.
---
Ocean Blue Aquariums
Address: 2246 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792
This store is where I got most of my Reef equipment several years ago. I was really excited to visit again but was disappointed when I got there. It seems the store is a bit run-down. Lots of dying or dead fish, dying corals, and not very clean. I've heard that the owner might be looking to close the store soon. So I wasn't surprise to see a 20% off all livestock posted. I guess competition is at play, Top Shelf Aquatics (above) is only 7 minutes away and on the same road! I spent the least amount of time in this store.
---
Florida Frag Swap at MOSI, Tampa 2016
I spent a few nights in Tampa and Clearwater. I drop the family off at the Hard Rock Casino and went to the Florida Frag Swap at MOSI. MOSI is 10 minutes away from the Casino. Upon walking in I was greeted by a kind gentleman, who turned out to be the President of the local club. He tried to get me to become a member, but after I told him that I'm from NY he offered that if I show my NY club card (LIRA) I can pay $5 to get in. I was super excited. I also got a gift bag with free swag, either because I was one of the first 200 or that I belong to a club (not sure). The swap was small, nothing compared to the MR Swap, NERAC, or FFM. I did get several items, all dry goods. There is a company that sells frag plugs and mounts DIRT CHEAP. Its a family that makes them in their garage. I'll post a link as soon as I can find the card. I also met the guy behind ME Corals. Very energetic guy and passionate about the hobby. I picked up the Amino concentration and will be trying the 2-part when I finish with my current ESV & BRS stock.
what you got me from florida ?
