lovely pets

[uprr]

i was over at lovely pets( AGAIN) this past weekend and got a couple more peps and an emerald crab. i love the service over there and they really know what they are talking about.

[Reefried]

I've been going there on and off for 3 years now, and they are awesome, so polite and they always give me a little break on price. (not much but I appreciate gesture.) also I got some really cool zoo's there for cheap, and they always have a tank full of live brine shrimp and they sell bags for $2.00, the bags have hundreds of shrimp too!! just ask my fish!!!

[Moe_K]

i've been there years ago and was turned off by the hair algae and cyano growing in their tanks. i stopped visiting.

[besl]

Lovely Pets changed hands a few years ago. I think the new management does a better job than previously. Having said that, I find their prices a little on the higher side compared to the couple of other lfs options in the general vicinity. I will also comment that I have had good experience with the helath of their fish (I never bought corals there).

[Salty Dog]

I've visited there once. I was amazed by the amount of dead livestock I saw - and the poor water quality in general. I also found it odd that they don't have RO/DI. That makes one wonder...

[Jocko]

They recently cleaned their back room where they keep the corals. Now there's only a little bubble algae on stuff instead of tons of it everywhere. The prices are still really high though. The last couple of times I went in there I saw a few elegance corals, which is definitely a turn off. Also I hate always seeing so many emaciated mandarins. Given other area alternatives, I tend to never buy livestock here. It's usually where I go if I need a particular dry good in a hurry.

I was in there a week ago and it looked like they had converted at least half of one row from saltwater to freshwater. Anyone else notice that?

The owner/manager dude is definitely nice, although he's never stuck me as being exceptionally knowledgeable on reef things. I mean he can always answer your question with a competent answer, but I've never been like "wow this guy knows his stuff!" One very nice thing is that he seems to have stopped smoking right in the middle of the store where all the customers are. That drove me nuts.

[estubbaly]

only first hand experiences allowed in this forum. Thanks

[estubbaly]

I have been a customer from their inception and know the owner very well I also worked there for several years. As for me I'll do business with Steve and I'll know that I'm getting what I pay for with service that is far above most.

Personal experience only, please.

[TOOMANYFISH]

"The last couple of times I went in there I saw a few elegance corals, which is definitely a turn off. "He's had those elegance in their for a few years now.

[tschoonmaker]

I too, have had great experiences here. Steve helped me set-up my tank 4 years ago. Unlike other LFS he seemed to have the patience to help me, the others just wanted me to buy something and get out.

[Jocko]

"The last couple of times I went in there I saw a few elegance corals, which is definitely a turn off. "He's had those elegance in their for a few years now.

Wow really? Strange as I've been to the store many times over the last couple of years and always look at those tanks in the back. But I didn't remember seeing them until recently. Maybe they were harder to see before the tanks got cleaned. Oh well. If those have indeed been surviving in captivity for that long, then they might be good candidates for purchase!

[uprr]

This forum is only for first hand experiences. No comments. Thanks

[uprr]

sorry i'll be more careful next time.

[bradig]

I was in there a week ago and it looked like they had converted at least half of one row from saltwater to freshwater. Anyone else notice that?

The owner/manager dude is definitely nice, although he's never stuck me as being exceptionally knowledgeable on reef things. I mean he can always answer your question with a competent answer, but I've never been like "wow this guy knows his stuff!" One very nice thing is that he seems to have stopped smoking right in the middle of the store where all the customers are. That drove me nuts.

I did notice the change over from salt to freshwater. It looks like he has changed a lot of his livestock around. The livestock quality has not been the best, reference to another store removed, as far as fish go.

He is not very knowledgeable about things pertaining to the reef. I believe steve was a cichlid hobbyist from the get go.
My first experience there was over five years ago, when he told me I could keep an anemone under 65 watts of power compact lighting. YEah I learned to read up on things real quick, and to find more than one opinion. The good news is the light is still working well.

And he has stopped smoking in the store.

But who the hell pays 70 dollars for a 96 watt power compact bulb? He is over priced. I have found that he is typically priced the fairest on tanks and stands.

[cjburden]

Steve's a good guy, the store can be hit or miss. I've seen lots of nice livestock and I've seen lots not so nice. He's generally pretty forthcoming about things with people (good example was I overheard him telling a couple that they probably shouldn't buy a goniopora because they generally aren't a hardy species and don't survive). He's not the MOST knowledgeable guy out there, but he does know his stuff and he will always take the time to answer your questions.

[RMotta]

I have bought most of my corals and fish from Steve and he has always been a top notch guy with me. Hes honest and always willing to answer any of your questions.

Prices are in line if not lower then most places I have visited

First hand= I had a PC Orbit hood that was purchased over a year ago from him and it failed one weekend. He replaced it the same day.... Awsome...He gets an A+ in my book.

[American Flyer]

I have personnally spent approximately $1,500 + in Lovely Pets in the past month alone. Steve is a very good, honest and helpful. I find his livestock to be in very good health and reasonably priced. He is knowledgeable in species compatability and can suggest species for a successful tank.

His prices on equipment such as filtration, lighting and other large equipment tend to run anywhere from 10% to 25% higher than online distributors. Steve does not do this to cheat people. I believe it is a matter of economics only. Steve is unable to leverage his overhead and cannot match the volume that an online retailer can achieve, thus higher prices.

I suppose the advantage of buying locally and perhaps spending a few extra bucks, is that you keep the LFS in business (maintaining a resource) and have the ability to obtain a needed piece of equipment in a timely fashion.

I will continue to support Lovely Pets. However, as I learn more about equipment, I will likely make my larger purchases online. I will however always make my live purchases at his shop.