Panhandle shops

Moto69Joe · 01/12/2014, 06:46 PM

I'm new to the area (Pensacola) and just got back into the Hobby. What are the local shops from say Destin to Pensacola? Can we compile a list?

BIGD0G · 01/12/2014, 06:48 PM

I am new as well but can say Matt's Coral Connection in Fort Walton Beach is great. I have not been to any in Pensacola so others will have to comment in that side.

Moto69Joe · 01/12/2014, 06:51 PM

Yeah I've bought a few things from Matts as well as Water World in Pensacola. I'm sure there are more shops than this? Not much comes up on Google.

lhm nole · 01/13/2014, 11:04 PM

Reefscapes on Olive road by west florida hospital once in awhile has a few corals . Petland on Davis Pcola pretty good selection of corals fish are ok..Petland FWB on Mary Esther ok store few corals and fish.. Destin has nothing.

SunnyB · 01/20/2014, 03:00 AM

Sad to say that the shops mentioned above are about all we have around here.

They could sure use some competition!

MacWilliams · 01/20/2014, 12:10 PM

Matt's is great. Good customer service and healthy products. They will not sell unless it's healthy. Petland in fwb is much better than they were a few months ago. They just changed their filtration and now look great with a decent selection. Tho their prices are some what insane on certain things. Matt's prices are great I go there for all my live stock. I have not been to any others in the area.

vince16g · 01/22/2014, 06:20 PM

Progressive marine in mobile is worth the drive. one of the better stores on the coast

Moto69Joe · 03/20/2014, 07:52 AM

Vince how is their selection/stock/pricing?
Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by vince16g

Progressive marine in mobile is worth the drive. one of the better stores on the coast

Sethjamto · 03/27/2014, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moto69Joe

Vince how is their selection/stock/pricing?
Thanks

Coral stock and pricing is good. They usually don't have a ton of fish in stock at most times, but do always have some. They will special order any fish you want though! If there's something in particular you want, call ahead to see if they have one to save the drive. If not, they'll order and just make the drive over when it arrives.

If you have a facebook page they have a site on there you can check them out. I live about 5 miles away and stop in all the time. Great VERY knowledgeable people in there!

lhm nole · 03/28/2014, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sethjamto

Coral stock and pricing is good. They usually don't have a ton of fish in stock at most times, but do always have some. They will special order any fish you want though! If there's something in particular you want, call ahead to see if they have one to save the drive. If not, they'll order and just make the drive over when it arrives.

If you have a facebook page they have a site on there you can check them out. I live about 5 miles away and stop in all the time. Great VERY knowledgeable people in there!

I have know Rich the owner since the 90's very nice guy use to go to his house and buy corals he was never too much into stocking lots of fish but would get some rare stuff you didnt see at B&B.. His prices are a little high but he will always negotiate with you.. He is very knowledgeable his money making is his tank maintenance ..

kpick · 03/29/2014, 07:33 AM

I thought I replied to this earlier but there is a decent shop in pensacola called water world on Langley

lhm nole · 03/29/2014, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpick

I thought I replied to this earlier but there is a decent shop in pensacola called water world on Langley

That store is for the rich... Super clean fish very healthy they do run fish system hyposalinity to avoid ich

kpick · 03/30/2014, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lhm nole

That store is for the rich... Super clean fish very healthy they do run fish system hyposalinity to avoid ich

More expensive than any other lfs? Or online? It seemed to be right in line with competition, maybe I'm not looking in the right places, and like you said very clean store

lhm nole · 03/30/2014, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpick

More expensive than any other lfs? Or online? It seemed to be right in line with competition, maybe I'm not looking in the right places, and like you said very clean store

Matts in FWB and even the petlands are cheaper and they all basically get stuff from the same wholesaler.. Saw close brain for 89.99 at water world and same one at petland was 59.99 fish prices water world is also higher .. I do get stuff online and you can some really good deals..

sargasso21 · 03/30/2014, 05:11 PM

Blue Water Zoo in FWB outstanding service. They go above and beyond for you more then any LFS I have been to in the area.

lhm nole · 03/30/2014, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sargasso21

Blue Water Zoo in FWB outstanding service. They go above and beyond for you more then any LFS I have been to in the area.

Owner there use to work for Seagrest Farms moved from bluewater bay and never been there..How is their selection?

bif24701 · 04/16/2014, 06:08 PM

Checked out Bluewater Zoo yesterday and I was very happy with the service and selection of freshwater planted livestock and equipment. The owners (I assume) where very helpful, knowledgable, and didn't mind me asking as many questions as I could. The marine livestock selection was ok, they are still getting the store fully operational so I'm sure this will improve. They had some very very nice looking LR I wished I had bought the LR there to seed my dry rock because it was obviously actual aquacultured. The LR I bought from another coral store was a bit of a disappointment. I think it was just some dry rock tossed in a bin to become "Live Rock". They also have live black worms that are great and some good looking coral though no where near the selection of other places. Above all I am impressed most with the customer service that is warm, welcoming, and helpful. I liked shopping there.

MacWilliams · 04/23/2014, 11:09 AM

IS Blue Water Zoo a new shop? I have only heard of Matts and Petland in FWB. Where is this shop located?

BIGD0G · 04/23/2014, 11:13 AM

It is new to FWB. They apparently were in Bluewater Bay before but moved. It is downtown FWB not far from Matts. If you take Eglin to 98 then turn right on 98 it is the first store on the right. New but getting setup so hopefully another good LFS in the area.

MacWilliams · 04/23/2014, 11:17 AM

Well, ill have to stop by and check them out. Sounds great. We need some more competition and variety in the area. The other two stores seem to just order the same things over and over. I want some unique items. Lol. Also, im upgrading to a 118 gallon tank and need a few more fish. Cant wait.

BIGD0G · 04/23/2014, 11:26 AM

When I was in there a week or so ago the owner told me if you order a fish and are there on Thursdays when the truck is there so they do not have to open the bag and acclimate they will give you a 20% discount as well. Sounded good to me.

MacWilliams · 04/23/2014, 12:14 PM

Whoa. Thats a great deal. I can definitely do that. Just have to plan out what i want and when i need them by.

01/12/2014, 06:46 PM	#1
Moto69Joe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 13	Panhandle shops I'm new to the area (Pensacola) and just got back into the Hobby. What are the local shops from say Destin to Pensacola? Can we compile a list?

01/12/2014, 06:48 PM	#2
BIGD0G Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Shalimar, FL Posts: 307	I am new as well but can say Matt's Coral Connection in Fort Walton Beach is great. I have not been to any in Pensacola so others will have to comment in that side. __________________ 180g Dual Corner Overflow, Dual Herbie w/return over top, 45 gallon sump, Little giant return pump, Vertex Alpha 200 Skimmer, Apex w/ORP, Temp, PH & salinity probes, 3 EB8s, VDM, PM2, Lunar Simulator Current Tank Info: 180g

04/16/2014, 06:08 PM	#17
bif24701 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Florida, FWB Posts: 3,389	Checked out Bluewater Zoo yesterday and I was very happy with the service and selection of freshwater planted livestock and equipment. The owners (I assume) where very helpful, knowledgable, and didn't mind me asking as many questions as I could. The marine livestock selection was ok, they are still getting the store fully operational so I'm sure this will improve. They had some very very nice looking LR I wished I had bought the LR there to seed my dry rock because it was obviously actual aquacultured. The LR I bought from another coral store was a bit of a disappointment. I think it was just some dry rock tossed in a bin to become "Live Rock". They also have live black worms that are great and some good looking coral though no where near the selection of other places. Above all I am impressed most with the customer service that is warm, welcoming, and helpful. I liked shopping there. __________________ 180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant

04/23/2014, 11:13 AM	#19
BIGD0G Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Shalimar, FL Posts: 307	It is new to FWB. They apparently were in Bluewater Bay before but moved. It is downtown FWB not far from Matts. If you take Eglin to 98 then turn right on 98 it is the first store on the right. New but getting setup so hopefully another good LFS in the area. __________________ 180g Dual Corner Overflow, Dual Herbie w/return over top, 45 gallon sump, Little giant return pump, Vertex Alpha 200 Skimmer, Apex w/ORP, Temp, PH & salinity probes, 3 EB8s, VDM, PM2, Lunar Simulator Current Tank Info: 180g

04/23/2014, 11:26 AM	#21
BIGD0G Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Shalimar, FL Posts: 307	When I was in there a week or so ago the owner told me if you order a fish and are there on Thursdays when the truck is there so they do not have to open the bag and acclimate they will give you a 20% discount as well. Sounded good to me. __________________ 180g Dual Corner Overflow, Dual Herbie w/return over top, 45 gallon sump, Little giant return pump, Vertex Alpha 200 Skimmer, Apex w/ORP, Temp, PH & salinity probes, 3 EB8s, VDM, PM2, Lunar Simulator Current Tank Info: 180g

01/12/2014, 06:51 PM	#3
Moto69Joe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 13	Yeah I've bought a few things from Matts as well as Water World in Pensacola. I'm sure there are more shops than this? Not much comes up on Google.

01/13/2014, 11:04 PM	#4
lhm nole Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,199	Reefscapes on Olive road by west florida hospital once in awhile has a few corals . Petland on Davis Pcola pretty good selection of corals fish are ok..Petland FWB on Mary Esther ok store few corals and fish.. Destin has nothing.

01/20/2014, 03:00 AM	#5
SunnyB Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 45	Sad to say that the shops mentioned above are about all we have around here. They could sure use some competition!

01/20/2014, 12:10 PM	#6
MacWilliams Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 410	Matt's is great. Good customer service and healthy products. They will not sell unless it's healthy. Petland in fwb is much better than they were a few months ago. They just changed their filtration and now look great with a decent selection. Tho their prices are some what insane on certain things. Matt's prices are great I go there for all my live stock. I have not been to any others in the area.

01/22/2014, 06:20 PM	#7
vince16g Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 16	Progressive marine in mobile is worth the drive. one of the better stores on the coast

03/29/2014, 07:33 AM	#11
kpick Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Pensacola FL Posts: 8	I thought I replied to this earlier but there is a decent shop in pensacola called water world on Langley

03/30/2014, 05:11 PM	#15
sargasso21 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Eglin AFB, Camp Rudder, FL Posts: 2	Blue Water Zoo in FWB outstanding service. They go above and beyond for you more then any LFS I have been to in the area.

04/23/2014, 11:09 AM	#18
MacWilliams Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 410	IS Blue Water Zoo a new shop? I have only heard of Matts and Petland in FWB. Where is this shop located?

04/23/2014, 11:17 AM	#20
MacWilliams Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 410	Well, ill have to stop by and check them out. Sounds great. We need some more competition and variety in the area. The other two stores seem to just order the same things over and over. I want some unique items. Lol. Also, im upgrading to a 118 gallon tank and need a few more fish. Cant wait.

04/23/2014, 12:14 PM	#22
MacWilliams Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 410	Whoa. Thats a great deal. I can definitely do that. Just have to plan out what i want and when i need them by.