In the last few weeks I have been to these 6 stores, so I wanted to share my experiences so that others may learn. I hope you find it useful. I will go in order from Best to worst, and ratings will be based upon the store that I feel is the best.
1) Aquatic Art: Cris and Nicole run the best shop in Denver. Clean, Friendly, Great selection of Healthy corals and great prices. Here is how I rate them.
a) Cleanliness ***** The store and tanks are always clean.
b) Friendliness and Knowledge: ***** Cris is one of the most Knowledgable reefers in Denver and if his staff doesn't know the answers they ask him.
c) Health of Corals ***** It is rare that you will see a sick fish or coral.
d) Selection and Prices ***** They have the best selection and Prices in Denver.
e) Blue Legged Hermit Crab Prices 9/$10. I will compare prices of these between the stores as they reflect the general overall prices.
2) Neptunes: Sharon has been at this location for many many years and has a nice shop. Here is how I rate them.
a) Cleanliness **** The store and tanks are mostly clean, but when I was there there were a few saltwater tanks that had very dirty glass.
b) Friendliness and Knowledge: **** They are busy so they aren't as attentive as I would like.
c) Health of Corals **** They don't have a lot of fish or corals, but what they have are in good shape.
d) Selection and Prices *** Minimal selection of corals and fish, but have a very nice selection of inverts.
e) Blue Legged Hermit Crab Prices 6/$10. 50% more expensive than AquaticArt.
3) AquaMart: Here is how I rate them.
a) Cleanliness **** The store and tanks are mostly clean.
b) Friendliness and Knowledge: *** They are reasonably friendly and ask if I need help, but not much else.
c) Health of Corals **** The corals seem reasonably healthy.
d) Selection and Prices * I found that they have a decent selection but are about 40% more expensive than AquaticArt.
e) Assorted Hermit Crabs $3 each. I found this to be reflective of the store Not the best organized and very Expensive.
4) EliteReef: Here is how I rate them.
a) Cleanliness **** The store and tanks are mostly clean.
b) Friendliness and Knowledge: * When I walked in they said hi, but did not offer any help after that. Horrible service.
c) Health of Corals **** The corals seem reasonably healthy.
d) Selection and Prices * I found that they have a limited selection but are about 40% more expensive than AquaticArt.
e) Blue Legged Hermit Crabs 10/$15. 50% more expensive than AquaticArt.
5) Murrman's Reef Here is how I rate them.
a) Cleanliness * The Tanks looked as if the glass hadn't been cleaned in weeks. To me this is a reflection of how well the tanks are cared for.
b) Friendliness and Knowledge: * When I walked in they said hi and asked if I was looking for anything. I said I was looking for Hermit Crabs and Turbo snails. One of the people d disappeared to go look for snails. 5 minutes later he showed up but had forgotten what he was doing. When he was asked he gave me a blank looked and said they didn't have any. Poor Service.
c) Health of Corals *** The corals seem reasonably healthy, but the tanks were so dirty that it was hard to tell. I didn't like the lighting either as it was hard to see how the corals were doing. I would not buy anything from this store.
d) Selection and Prices * I found that they have a limited selection but are about 40% more expensive than AquaticArt.
e) Blue Legged Hermit Crabs Not sure.
6) Todd's Tropical Fish: Here is how I rate them.
a) Cleanliness ** The tanks are always on the dirty side.
b) Friendliness and Knowledge: * Sam is a very nice guy, but doesn't really seem interested in running a shop or helping people. At least with the salt water fish.
c) Health of Corals * I wouldn't take one if they were given to me.
d) Selection and Prices * Very poor. As far as dry goods they are at least double the price as what you would pay on Amazon. If you are serious about Salt Water avoid this place.
These are my observations and I feel they truly reflect my experiences. If you are serious about Salt Water Fish and Corals go to Aquatic Art and skip the res.
1) Aquatic Art: Cris and Nicole run the best shop in Denver. Clean, Friendly, Great selection of Healthy corals and great prices. Here is how I rate them.
a) Cleanliness ***** The store and tanks are always clean.
b) Friendliness and Knowledge: ***** Cris is one of the most Knowledgable reefers in Denver and if his staff doesn't know the answers they ask him.
c) Health of Corals ***** It is rare that you will see a sick fish or coral.
d) Selection and Prices ***** They have the best selection and Prices in Denver.
e) Blue Legged Hermit Crab Prices 9/$10. I will compare prices of these between the stores as they reflect the general overall prices.
2) Neptunes: Sharon has been at this location for many many years and has a nice shop. Here is how I rate them.
a) Cleanliness **** The store and tanks are mostly clean, but when I was there there were a few saltwater tanks that had very dirty glass.
b) Friendliness and Knowledge: **** They are busy so they aren't as attentive as I would like.
c) Health of Corals **** They don't have a lot of fish or corals, but what they have are in good shape.
d) Selection and Prices *** Minimal selection of corals and fish, but have a very nice selection of inverts.
e) Blue Legged Hermit Crab Prices 6/$10. 50% more expensive than AquaticArt.
3) AquaMart: Here is how I rate them.
a) Cleanliness **** The store and tanks are mostly clean.
b) Friendliness and Knowledge: *** They are reasonably friendly and ask if I need help, but not much else.
c) Health of Corals **** The corals seem reasonably healthy.
d) Selection and Prices * I found that they have a decent selection but are about 40% more expensive than AquaticArt.
e) Assorted Hermit Crabs $3 each. I found this to be reflective of the store Not the best organized and very Expensive.
4) EliteReef: Here is how I rate them.
a) Cleanliness **** The store and tanks are mostly clean.
b) Friendliness and Knowledge: * When I walked in they said hi, but did not offer any help after that. Horrible service.
c) Health of Corals **** The corals seem reasonably healthy.
d) Selection and Prices * I found that they have a limited selection but are about 40% more expensive than AquaticArt.
e) Blue Legged Hermit Crabs 10/$15. 50% more expensive than AquaticArt.
5) Murrman's Reef Here is how I rate them.
a) Cleanliness * The Tanks looked as if the glass hadn't been cleaned in weeks. To me this is a reflection of how well the tanks are cared for.
b) Friendliness and Knowledge: * When I walked in they said hi and asked if I was looking for anything. I said I was looking for Hermit Crabs and Turbo snails. One of the people d disappeared to go look for snails. 5 minutes later he showed up but had forgotten what he was doing. When he was asked he gave me a blank looked and said they didn't have any. Poor Service.
c) Health of Corals *** The corals seem reasonably healthy, but the tanks were so dirty that it was hard to tell. I didn't like the lighting either as it was hard to see how the corals were doing. I would not buy anything from this store.
d) Selection and Prices * I found that they have a limited selection but are about 40% more expensive than AquaticArt.
e) Blue Legged Hermit Crabs Not sure.
6) Todd's Tropical Fish: Here is how I rate them.
a) Cleanliness ** The tanks are always on the dirty side.
b) Friendliness and Knowledge: * Sam is a very nice guy, but doesn't really seem interested in running a shop or helping people. At least with the salt water fish.
c) Health of Corals * I wouldn't take one if they were given to me.
d) Selection and Prices * Very poor. As far as dry goods they are at least double the price as what you would pay on Amazon. If you are serious about Salt Water avoid this place.
These are my observations and I feel they truly reflect my experiences. If you are serious about Salt Water Fish and Corals go to Aquatic Art and skip the res.
