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Starting a reef tank can be intimidating. Especially when you have no prior reefing knowledge. A few months ago I decided it was time to create my dream nano-reef tank. I blindly searched for the nearest reef store and came across Reef Escape. The first time I walked in I was immediately greeted by a number of friendly employees who took over an hour to answer my many questions. I left the store that day with a rock structure, sand, wave pump, and much more. I felt confident with the detailed instructions they provided me on initial tank start up. Fast forward two months from the day I first walked into the store and I now have a beautiful reef tank in my bedroom! Reef escape helped me become a competent reefer. I make weekly trips to the store to have my water tested, as well as buy new corals (which can become very addictive!). I highly recommend Reef Escape to become your go-to store in the DMV area. I would also like to give specific thanks to Jae Lee. His guidance and patience allowed me to create the perfect tank. I couldn't be happier and it's all thanks to Jae and Reef Escape!
The team at Reef Escape is amazing! When I arrived I was greeted by multiple employees asking if I needed assistance and once I let them know I was just looking around they let me do my own thing without following me around or information overloading me. Once I needed assistance they were knowledgeable and helped me pick out the first corals for my tank! Definitely recommend this store!
I've been a customer for quite a few months now and I've also recently got back into the hobby after 22 years. Everyone at the shop is knowledgeable and all of the livestock I've purchased is still doing great. During the quarantine I got a flame angel and mocha storm from here. It's been over two months and both are doing well. They readily take flake food, which is a big deal. I also love their fish quarantine procedures. I've never been disappointed at this shop and I'll continue to shop here.
The location itself is slightly hard to find. It's on the backside of the shopping center with no signs directing you there. But I had a good experience here once I found it! The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. They greeted us upon entering and asked if they could help with anything. One of the kind staff members even identified some of the fish we were wondering about and told us some interesting facts about them. They have a nice selection, they mostly only have saltwater fish, I think they only had one 5gallon tank by the front with freshwater fish. But their selection of tropical was great. I'm sure the fish would prefer to be swimmin' in the ocean, but they appear* healthy and happy nonetheless.
Please Read I want to inform future customers of REEF eSCAPE about my terrible experience and about threating emails I received from the retail manager DAVID LIN. I pre-ordered a pair of black storm clown fish from REEF eScape earlier this year. When I picked them up curbside, the smaller one's tail and fins were torn to shreds and he had an obvious eye injury. Furthermore, they also looked like mocha storms(white and orange fading to brown), not like black storms(white and black). I contacted the owner Phil Wind. I informed Phil about the above stated issues I had upon picking up the fish. He told me its part of the bonding process and that there were no refunds for fish. I told him I was not advised of that. He offered me a refund on the condition that the fish be in resaleable condition. However, I didn't receive the fish in a saleable condition in the first place, so I feel like he had no intention of giving me a refund, given that the fish was not fit for sale when I received and thus would not be saleable if I brought it back either. I reminded Phil that under Virginia law pet store owners are obligated to excepts returns and offer refunds if an animal is unfit at the time of sale. He stated that he would only refund the fish if it was fit for resale and he was making it such a hassle that I just said don't worry about it I'll just deal with it. Fast forward to July 22, 2020. I go to pick up something from REEF eSCAPE that I ordered. That night I received numerous THREATING EMAILS from their retail manager David Lin. HE BANNED ME FROM THE STORE due to me voicing my concerns with how they treated me. I have enclosed copies of the emails so you all can read about my experience and see how I was threatened by David Lin. I don't want anyone else to go through such a traumatic and horrible experience as I did with this company and especially David Lin himself. PLEASE BE AWARE OF THIS COMPANY BRFORE SHOPPING WITH THEM.
This is a great store. I trust their quarantine process and they don't cut corners even if it means making a customer upset and giving honest answers. For example, I walked in the store to buy a pair of fish but one of the staff suggested it may be a bad idea for the pair or a gamble. I ended up just getting one. They quarantine new livestock for two weeks and dose it with garlic and bits of antibiotic in their feed. In terms of price, it is fair or sometimes higher than certain places but I've had good experience with my livestock so far. Yes, I can order online or go to another store but the risk of putting something into your tank is risky, time consuming and possibly a big cost down the road. Hoping to get corals soon from them. The hours could be better since they are open only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday unless you make arrangements ahead of time. However, I know some of the staff work other jobs such as at the National Baltimore Aquarium. That's pretty cool! They know their stuff!
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