I have been shopping here for years. Now I shop at the north store. Everytime I walk in I am greeted by someone friendly and helpful. I bought my first set of grow lights many moons ago from them and have always been satisfied from anything I bought from them. If I have any questions about nutrient lock outs or not enough, they are always there. They fixed my reverse osmosis when I could figure out what was wrong. Thanks. I will be back!!! read more

Everything I mean, these guys are really helpful. I highly recommend them. These are my go to guys when it comes to horticulture or my plants good advice for all my gardening needs. read more

Troy is great. Chris needs a lesson in customer service along with anyone else I've worked with there besides Troy... Sad that you have to deal with employees that are condescending and sound "put off" by a phone call. I was even told they were "too busy" once to see if an item was in stock over the phone, it's a 30 min drive for me..... Just shop online, the only thing you can get here cheaper is soil/dirt and that's only because you have to pay for shipping. read more

Does this place even exist? My son and I tried to find it today, passed down Manchaca 3 times without luck. Even the GPS was confused.

I purchased an 8" blower fan from the store on Manchaca and was told if it was to big I could come back in and exchange for the smaller 4" one. I go back in the following day and was told that I did not purchase the fan that they had rung it up wrong and that he did not give a fuck ,he was not going to swap out as he stated the day before. He (the owner) proceeded to come around the counter and try and physically assault me. taking off his glasses running at me to hit me. He was stopped by customers and employees. Never in my life have I had the owner of a store act like this unprofessional and he should be closed down. Prices triple what is on Amazon. What I get for trying to support local business. This happened at the store on Menchaca Rd in Austin Tx read more

I do like the store but since COVID19 hit its been difficult. Since I am new to this type of gardening its difficult to learn when you dont have access to the one place that may be able to provide direction. Also so far I have bought 2 batches of ladybugs from Brite Ideas for my garden and both batches were duds, not many ladybugs were alive. The cost is $12 bucks per pack of about 1500 and I got maybe 10 bugs from the first one and even less from the second one we bought. I wont be buying them there anymore, very disappointed. read more

My friends swear by Texas Hydroponics, but I'd rather give my money to this place. The staff is very helpful and knowledgable, and doesn't make you feel like you are annoying them by entering the store. Also the stock of items is great, they've always had what I need when I need it. Prices are reasonable, and the store itself is bright and spacious, something I can't say about other grow shops in the area. read more

This place has all the proper equipment for indoor growing and large scale projects. They have hard to find stuff and a very knowledgeable friendly staff who are always willing to help but who are not "pushy" sales associates. This is personally my favorite gardening store in Austin due to their selection and availability to the community. I highly recommend this place. read more

Oh boy, it's so fun to go here. It's all things growing and then some. So awesome to see plants in set ups all around their place. They've even got an aquaculture going on in the warehouse. Seriously, go check it out. They have their plant tents setup to show how they work. Seems silly, but you might not realize just how much can fit, or why you'd choose one thing over another. The large variety of liquids available for your water growing setup is amazing. Great advice and guidance from the people who work here. They have great prices on used equipment, which is awesome for noobs. For the super growing geeks like myself, they actually have a very nice selection of seeds. Stuff I"ve never seen sold anywhere. Flax seed in bulk? Who knew? It's actually fun to go here, check out the warehouse and see what's new. The most recent discovery of mine: Buffalo poop fertilizer. Duh? Why didn't anyone think of this sooner. Pricey, but hey it's supposed to be super potent. My personal happiness lies in that they carry vermiculite. I couldn't find it anywhere. Yet here it is. Great price. Makes my seed starting much easier. Thanks so much you guys! Love to just stop by, they are friendly and cool to chat with. :) read more

Not only were they nice enough to stay open a few minutes late for me (I called ahead because I get off work at the same time they normally close), but they were extremely helpful. These guys really know their stuff! They gave me tons of good advice. Also, they didn't try to sell me stuff I couldn't afford; they listened when I told them my budget and recommended an appropriate product for my needs. I've been able to find things here for my garden that I haven't been able to find anywhere else in town. Friendly and knowledgeable staff, excellent product line, competitive prices. read more

Our winter garden wasn't doing so well this year so I started investigating alternatives for sprouting and growing our veggies and greens indoors. I checked out yelp and found Brite Ideas. They had glowing reviews so the wife and I dropped by to check it out. Its really an amazing store full of cool ideas and gadgets to get you going as well as a full assortment of hydroponic, aquaponic, and aeroponic solutions. The staff was very helpful and quickly guided me to the items I needed. We talked for awhile and they helped me figure out everything I needed over a few subsequent visits. I'm nearly finished with my setup and I can't thank the guys over at the shop enough. I'll definitely go back and recommend this to anyone looking to get started with indoor gardening or looking for specific gardening items (like bat guano). read more

I'm a newbie when it comes to hydroponics and plant nutrients, but I've done a ton of research online. However, it's so nice having a store like Brite Ideas here in Austin. Every time I've gone in, the staff is super knowledgeable and helpful, and they carry all of the products you find recommended online. I've learned more, by far, just asking questions to the staff than anything I've found online. I definitely would rather spend my money here than some online store, or even Amazon! Don't buy your stuff on Amazon, pay these guys a visit and you won't be disappointed! read more

I've been to other shops in the area, and I always leave disappointed in either what they have, or what they knew about the stuff they actually did have. However, with Brite Ideas, every time i go in, i leave knowing more than when i went in. Even when I'm simply there to buy dirt of all things. Plus, they are always giving away free samples of stuff to try in my garden without even pitching it to me to buy. If you are looking for that hard to find garden item, whether it be dirt, or worms, or a certain nutrient you want to try. They have it. No matter what it is... they have it. read more

Brite Ideas is great!! Your one stop shop for everything aquaponics or hydroponics or gardening in general. I recommend doing your shopping on Saturday and attending Jason's weekly class to learn something new! I attend every week and love it! He is a great teacher and has so much information and knowledge to share. Jason and the store have a commitment to natural solutions which I really appreciate. I know shopping here I can be sure the options presented are the very best possible, natural and sustainable. Thank you!! read more

Ultra friendly extremely knowledgeable staff made my first hydroponic grow a breeze. It's literally the best damn store in Austin Texas

So many good things to say about Bright Ideas... Jason's free Saturday classes are PACKED with good information! All of the products are carefully screened for environmental friendliness. The staff is knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. Free gallon of compost tea (Take your own container) I do not do aquaponics, but I am an organic gardener and health nut, and Bright Ideas has been very helpful. I really appreciate their high standards. read more

I am not specially affiliated with Brite Ideas in any way...I am just a customer who has been shopping there for a couple of years. I did a previous five star review of BI (bihydro.com) in Sept 2015 that Yelp shuffled into the "Not Currently Recommended" category. Yelp's explanation of the purpose of their NotCurrentlyRecommended category is so weak it is laughable! All consumers need to call upon Yelp! to drop this practice...its mysterious, annoying and unhelpful. My recent review of BI remains 5 stars and it is certainly timely at just about a month old. I recommend that anytime you are looking at reviews on Yelp, that you ALWAYS scroll down and also read "Currently Not Recommended" reviews. If you go there now you will see my full, actual 5 star review of BI. It is RARE these days for a retailer to earn this level of customer response and it deserves to be left visible by Yelp. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for this meta review to also end up in Yelp's NCR hidden area too! read more

it is a delight to meet such committed individuals who have a lot of knowledge in hydroponic growing and yet in deep humility was no ego share that knowledge lovingly and freely. So even if this place is a little further than your normal Hydro store it's better to buy your products here and get the inspiration and knowledge that is far more priceless read more

Let me start by saying THANK YOU BRITE IDEAS! 1) Clean, knowledgable and friendly. These guys have a large space, with a clean friendly atmosphere. When I go in I don't feel like I'm doing something shady, I feel like I'm in any other garden store except that these guys know what they are talking about. From technique to products they really know their stuff. 2) genuinely helpful staff I'm terrible with names but everyone there is fantastic. I went in looking for pieces to construct a bell siphon drain system and they not only helped me work out a better slow drip system for my set up, they helped me tool my media guard too! I never felt pressured or like I was bothering another pretentious retail person. Instead I felt like the staff really cared about helping me with my aquaponic herb garden build. I really cannot compliment this place enough. Ive shopped at other hydroponic stores around town but Brite Ideas has them all beat a million times over. I will give my business to these guys forever! I really recommend checking this place out. read more

Great classes every Saturday at noon, your source for aquaponics and hydroponics and pretty much every thing under the sun for your garden. This place is the best and can't wait to learn about aquaponics and get my set-up soon. Very friendly staff available to help answer your gardening needs. Love it. read more

I have been shopping there for years and hands down the best place you can go for all your growing needs. I drive over 60 miles round trip just to shop at Brite Ideas.Troy and the boys are very knowledgeable and helpful also friendly. If they don't have it ask and chances are they can get it. They have classes every Saturday on just about anything you want to learn. Please purchase all your growing needs at Brute Ideas. You will save money in the long run and keep a great and useful place in business. We need a place like this to keep us little guys growing the right way. Tell em Steve sent ya. read more

I was in the store this past weekend, and Nick was working. He started off friendly enough, and recommended some great suggestions. My daughter was pushing the basket in the store, and this set Nick off for some reason. He scolded me for letting her push the basket, and then told me to ask her to put it back by the door for the paying customers. As a parent, I find this sort of exchange revolting. Knowing I wanted the equipment I came for, but not wanting to spend money supporting this store, I began searching prices on Google. What I discovered was how incredibly overpriced items in the store are. For example, I was interested in the Solar System 550 grow lights. $899 in this store; I am having mine delivered on Friday that I bought NEW from the manufacturer using a coupon code I found online, no tax, and free delivery....for $200 less. The controller for the light is selling for $299 in this store; I bought mine from Amazon Prime for $182. As I continued to search, I ended up purchasing a flood table, stand, stock tank, plumbing, pump, and media (same brands, btw) online for over $300 less than the price Nick quoted me. I am all about supporting local business, but NOT at these sort of markup prices... read more

I got lucky and went to this hydro store first and then never needed to look any where else! i think i literally sat and talk to the staff for easily over an hour and they never once seemed to mind. if i ever needed help with info on a product or simply gardening tips they had the answers. they have everything you need almost without a doubt. I even tell my friends back in Houston about this place! keep up the good work brite ideas read more

This is the best place in Austin to buy your basic Orchid Supplies! They carry both clear orchid pots and they have GREAT prices on Orchiata and Sphagnum Moss. The staff is both helpful and friendly. Thanks guys! read more

Absolutely our go-to shop in San Antonio. John is beyond friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Without a doubt above and beyond 'the other guys' in town. They have anything you need, including the occasional previously owned items such as light fixtures. John has saved us multiple times. Emergencies sometimes occur as we all know and John was there to save the day. I can't speak highly enough about Bright Ideas and the groovy dude there to help you out. Thanks for those samples (and everything else we loaded up on) John! You really did save our plants! This is definitely my favorite place to shop. It's like Christmas every time we go. The prices are VERY reasonable, surprisingly. The feel in that shop is just so zen. I love the setups with the LED lights. So lovely and relaxing. read more

Brite ideas has amazing selections of resources to grow your own foods. They have classes and expertise anyone looking to grow their own foods. The selection of soils, ferilizers, and other growing mediums is vast. They also have pre owned goods that are sold for amazing prices and equipment for any style of plant growth. Simply wonderful. read more

I'm a long time gardener, but a novice in starting my own seeds, indoor lighting, etc. Everything about my experience here was fantastic, AND their prices were more than reasonable even beating out Amazon on the two items I purchased. Even if the prices were a reasonable amount more I still would have purchased from them since the advice and info they share with you during your purchase is invaluable. read more

These cats are bitchin. Good crew of good peoples. Aquaponics, hydro, knowledge... good stuff.

WOW $2.00 per fish!! The old owner of Third Coast sold the fish for .75 per fish. Why the huge markup? I understand you run a business and have overhead but that is over 100% markup. Since your the only place in Austin selling fish surely you could make a profit on volume alone. read more

This is THE place to go for any of your Aquaponics supplies. I have been going there for about 3 years now & have found that they bend over backwards to make sure you get the expert help that you need. Lots of wonderful products for other gardening persists as well. Very understanding return policy. Thank you, Troy & Tim! read more

We came into the store Sunday, Jan 13, 2013 approx. 1pm. Looked like a single employee working during the shift. Pretty desolate atmosphere. We were Never greeted, Never asked if we can be helped, Never thanked for stopping by upon leaving, therefore we will Never be back. I hear the store advertised on Gardening Naturally every weekend and there was a 40% off seed sale so we decided to check it out. Too bad we were ignored during our 20 minute browse through the store. read more