We actually are left with 2 good pet stores and 2 Petcos. I buy any livestock from the little guys, and all my food also. It's a little more expensive, but not much, and is completely worth the effort. I am on first name basis with the two remaining shops, which is pretty nice.
There is a nice 3 chamber planted tank at the newest Petco that opened. I never see many people there, and I keep hoping they will go out of business so that I can get that tank, but I imagine I'll have to wait a while. The center chamber waterfalls out either side into lower chambers, which in turn overflow down into a sump. Then water is pumped to a tower rising a couple inches above the centre chamber, and waterfalls back down into it, to start the process over again!
One of the little shops is mostly Salt water, which I don't do, so that is kinda too bad. The other is a good mix of salt and fresh. Both have knowlegable employees, and they treat people and fish well, so that makes me happy!
The only livestock I have not gotten locally was some Cherry shrimp. Locally they wanted 7-8 bucks EACH, and I got some on here for a dollar each. by the time I got them shipped to Alaska overnight it was about 2 bucks each, but still, I got 25 for $50, instead of 6 for $50. Kinda a no brainer.
Currently I am considering an online discus purchase, and again that is only because locally I can only find questionable stock, and they run $75 to $150 each.
Rambling rambling rambling, I can't wait till Friday night when I pick this up and move it here. Goodnight all!