Life Aquatic - Marine Aquarium Store - New Canaan, CT
I selected Randy Jahier and Life Aquatic to get started in the marine aquarium, reefing hobby now 9 months ago. Having spent over 50 years in the hobby with Freshwater, so as an experienced hobbyist, I researched pretty carefully what I needed to do. But I recognized that as a first foray into Saltwater I would need experienced help from a store, not just friends and
other hobbyist, aquarists. I visited a dozen stores, talked to many
owners, managers, observed their store setup, looked at their livestock and saw how they interacted with their customers and how they cared for their store and livestock. Most were quite good and personable and helpful. But Randy took the time, gave me reasonable prices and constructed a process to set things up and get started and was always available for advice.
Now 9 months in, and in addition to 9 freshwater tanks, I'm running 3 saltwater tanks. 2 Nano and 1 Pico, all reef tanks.
I've bought fish from Life Aquatic and these for the most part are the ones
still surviving and thriving 9 months later. Sure there are less expensive
places to buy fish and livestock, especially on-line which often can be more convenient and less expensive, I've gone that route a number of times too, in order to see what works in this hobby, but the quality of the fish, even with the slightly greater expense from Life Aquatic store, obviously now is the best option.
Getting livestock shipped home or to the office was both at times convenient, but also frustrating (especially when things didn't arrive on time and the livestock was stressed), and despite careful and often times very time consuming acclimation, fish and other livestock didn't survive.
So the time setting up to schedule receipt, acclimate, account for those that perished, etc etc wasn't often worth the time, effort and money spent (attempt to save and get increased variety of fish, corals, invertebrates to
try).
Conclusion: A hobbyist is best off in most instances going to a local fish store of good reputation, with an owner who has an interest in you as a hobbyist and customer, has good knowledge, cares about his livestock and even learns with you.
I have no reservation recommending Randy and Life Aquatic if you are in the Tri-State - Westchester / CT / Fairfield County area, as a place to visit and either get started in the hobby or have a new source for your Marine aquarium needs.
If it isn't in the store, Randy can probably get you what you need.
It is very much worth paying a little more for quality and for the availability and the knowledge.
Thank you Randy for taking the time and making the effort! read more