I have about six LFS within 45 minutes drive and two chain stores with decent fish (Wal-Mart, whose fish are warranted for 90 days and decent quality but absolutely MUST be quarintened, and Meijer). I have been to five of the LFS and they are all high-quality in terms of merchendise, maintainence and for the most part selection (though they all have too many of the overcommon livebearer strains). My only qualms is the trememdous variation in the prices of supplies such as food and sea salt, which can vary anywhere from 120% to 300% above online prices. Then again the advantage of multiple sources is that you can shop around for the best price.
One thing that I like about LFS is that most of them around here have the FW tanks seprate from each other so an infection can't spread between tanks like wildfire. The two stores that I've been to that stock large amounts of SW lifestock both use common-filter systems. One had an enormous sump filter and protien skimmer operating in view of the consumer, and a wonderful semi-hexognal display tank. The staffs for the most part are attentive and seem to know their product.
One thing that I like about LFS is that most of them around here have the FW tanks seprate from each other so an infection can't spread between tanks like wildfire. The two stores that I've been to that stock large amounts of SW lifestock both use common-filter systems. One had an enormous sump filter and protien skimmer operating in view of the consumer, and a wonderful semi-hexognal display tank. The staffs for the most part are attentive and seem to know their product.
