Don't you hate it.....

Fine....buying the plants was at Aquatek. The bad SAE experience was at Aqua-dome and the one that told me only the Chinese algae eater was an SAE was at Rivers & Reef Pet Center.....all in Austin, TX.
Now on the other hand the only store I have dealt with that hasn't tried to BS me was Darby's in New Braunfels. Several times I have been in there with questions, ready to buy anything, that would solve what ever issue I had and they have given advice or other options. Even if it meant they didn't get a sale.
I was not going to mention names here but to advise others to be more educated and not be so gullible to what other "experts" have to say.


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It used to be about customer service. Now it's kids getting minimum wages with a "don't bother me" attitude or the other extreme of "I know it all because I work here". I think we could fill pages of complaints about these type of things yet at the end of the day it never changes - sad isn't it?

The LFS I deal with has encyclopedias, and a rack of reference materials that runs into the thousands of dollars that they use to find that special something you are looking for. They are the most expensive place around but are usually worth it. They would actually prefer you didn't buy than to make a mistake and get the wrong purchase. They don't have the best selection of fish but will get you anything you want if it is available to them.

Win a few, lose a few...................the battles will rage on.
 
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Well, I personally think this: they exist to make money. While they should also be able to tell you what you are buying and a few basic bits of information about the product, it is not a requirement to know that. I just make sure that I ​know what I'm buying so I don't have to ask them. Much safer that way.
 
isellcars said:
Fine....buying the plants was at Aquatek. The bad SAE experience was at Aqua-dome and the one that told me only the Chinese algae eater was an SAE was at Rivers & Reef Pet Center.....all in Austin, TX.
Now on the other hand the only store I have dealt with that hasn't tried to BS me was Darby's in New Braunfels. Several times I have been in there with questions, ready to buy anything, that would solve what ever issue I had and they have given advice or other options. Even if it meant they didn't get a sale.
I was not going to mention names here but to advise others to be more educated and not be so gullible to what other "experts" have to say.


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Darby's is awesome. Not sure if Austin is closer to you than San Antonio, but San Antonio has some great LFS and most have knowledgeable employees. Dave's Rare Aquarium Fish is the best (if you're looking for African cichlids). I've picked up true SAE at Fintique and Texas Tropical.
 
@Lab_Rat....I'm in Kyle so pretty much takes the same amount of time for me to drive to either San Antonio or Austin. Plus I have no problem driving a bit further for a very good and knowledgeable lfs. I will check out the places you mention. I'm trying to get my tank to a heavy planted community tank. I just want it to be a bit more exotic and not just a plan boring tank. Thanks for the advice and now I know what I will be doing this weekend.


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isellcars said:
Fine....buying the plants was at Aquatek. The bad SAE experience was at Aqua-dome and the one that told me only the Chinese algae eater was an SAE was at Rivers & Reef Pet Center.....all in Austin, TX.
Now on the other hand the only store I have dealt with that hasn't tried to BS me was Darby's in New Braunfels. Several times I have been in there with questions, ready to buy anything, that would solve what ever issue I had and they have given advice or other options. Even if it meant they didn't get a sale.
I was not going to mention names here but to advise others to be more educated and not be so gullible to what other "experts" have to say.


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I go to river city aquatics and aquatek


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I've never been to or heard of river city.....Aquatek is very good when it comes to the fish. They have a couple guys there that really know what they are talking about. Plants though, not the best place to go unless you want just the very basic run of the mill plants.


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isellcars said:
I've never been to or heard of river city.....Aquatek is very good when it comes to the fish. They have a couple guys there that really know what they are talking about. Plants though, not the best place to go unless you want just the very basic run of the mill plants.


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River city aquatics has 2 fish rooms; 1 is FW, the other is SW. They also have a big room for equipment. Not many plants though.

I get my plants from hill country water gardens and from my mom's pond.


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