Marine Warehouse Aquarium

Reviews 3

PH

Phil Roberts

I started going to Marine Warehouse back in the late 70s to early 80s. They had a GREAT selection of salt water fish and supplies. They were the best of class! I exited the hobby in the mid 80s until just 2 or 3 mos. ago. I have contracted the fever once again...and I am usually loaded with tons of questions for any poor fish consultant/advisor. I have been to darn near every fish and pet store in the Tampa Bay area. Ive met some great people with good knowledge as well as some that should probably seek another career. This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to visit Marine Warehouse. I was under the impression that all they supplied was saltwater fish and supplies, but much to my delight, I heard that they took on freshwater fish and supplies as well! This was going to be fun. I walked into the store and noticed the beautiful display of aquarium setups and tank/stand combos for sale. They were actually decorated to give you aquascaping ideas which is brilliant. Especially for those looking for ideas. Prices on those combos were actually less expensive than what I had just paid for a combo 90 gallon setup from a store in Sarasota..and they were actually nicer. Oh well...cant change the past. They were VERY busy!! That is a GOOD sign for those who dont know. Yes...you must be patient..but when your turn comes..that rep will spend as much time as you need to fully answer your questions..and then some! I spoke with a young lady that seemed to specialize in Cichlids and freshwater and she gave me solid advice on cycling my tank. She tested my water..although I have my own test kit and gave me good advice that solidified the process that I was taking on my tank. Then I told her that I was going to poke around in the store and see what caught my interest. THEN..they got slammed with customers. I waited and looked for about 20 -25 minutes..and then I asked someone about live plants. It was not his specialty, so he brought out Brian, which I later learned was the original owners son. Brian did a PHENOMENAL job explaining the light and nutrient needs of each plant. They had some BEAUTIFUL specimens there as well. My tank has never looked better. He showed me the newest and bestest LED light from Current which I ended up purchasing and this light is truly a GREAT addition to my tank. I liked it so much that I ordered another one for my 29 gallon tank today. I also fell in love with a beautiful electric blue Ram that they had..and after listening to a couple warnings about water conditions from Brian, I proceeded to go ahead with buying him as well. He seems to be doing well!! I read the reviews on Google and other sites that show some negativity. I take all of those with a grain of salt when i patronize a store. People this day and age take everything so personally..and are willing to leave a bad review just to be spiteful. This is a hobby that unfortunately has its casualties. You will lose fish for the weirdest reasons. Anti-bacterial soaps, chemicals, air fresheners (my personal favorite), deodorants. On a higher tank, you have to reach your arms waaay in to reach the bottom...actually up your armpits unless you have monkey arms. Your deodorant..assuming you use any..will leech into the tank! Ask me how I know!!!!!!!!! Fish dont like Right Guard!! I found that the folks at Marine Warehouse were very knowledgeable and very willing to help and assist. Prices were in line with other specialty stores. I fact..plant prices were considerably less!! I will continue to do business with Marine Warehouse. They are #1 in class for Aquarium needs.

IS

Isaiah Alicea

I have set up a new 60 gallon tropical aquarium and its about a week away from the nitrogen cycle being competed. I am very ready for fish. Im excited. I went in to the store for the first time ever. I wanted to get an idea where everything was and to see if they had a nice selection. The selection is large but not anything other than prices and names of fish. Their store is extremely dirty. I had some questions about some plants and a few of their fish. I waited for 35 minutes to get some help When finally there was an employee to help, I explained my setup to him. He was extremely uninterested in what I was saying. I asked about some plants. I was whisked through the plant section at a lightning pace. The guy pointed at a bunch of plants. I had some more questions. I was then told to talk to somebody else cause THEY were the expert. So I should wait another 35 mins for that other guy? No thanks. I didnt even bother to ask any of my fish questions. I was still going to make a small purchase but had left my wallet in the car right outside the door. I was at the register. The employee said "no problem" when I said Id be back in just a second. When I got back, 30 seconds later, my merchandise was on the counter but I watched as he was assisting other customers, 3 total, while I stood there to spend my $4.00. He never came back. I watched as 4 other people were rang up ahead of me and no one bothered to even ask me if I was in need of assistance. Im standing there with an item on the counter and my card in hand. Nothing. I have been in customer service for 18 years. I have been the employee, the supervisor and the manager during that time. I would never make someone feel the way I was made to feel today. Its unacceptable. If the business is reading this review, here is the most important part: 87% of consumers say they would not return to a business the first time they have a bad experience. Today was a test. You failed. I will find another shop to take my business. Youre not the only one. Two stars because when I walked in an employee welcomed me while ringing up a customer.

A

A Private User

After going to this store for almost 4 years on a somewhat of a regular basis and having only bought maybe 3-5 items, I wouldnt recommend this place to anyone. Yes, this place may have the largest selection around but it is not worth the drive and time in addition to the outrageous costs to about everything in the store. The only thing worth the money is the sand really. Its not easy to get to from anywhere at all for the most part. If your coming from the east on Hillsborough plan to have about 30 extra minutes in traffic if you are coming from 75 in the lunch to early afternoon. The staff seems to have close to zero knowledge and tons of attitude. They just seem to either agree with what your saying, not having picked up on that you are asking them a question or they will disagree with it and when you call them out on it they begin stumbling on words and then end up agreeing with you and then again not picking up that you still asked them a question. An example of a question I had two weeks ago was "How do you[Marine Warehouse] care for your harlequin shrimp?"...Employee, "I dont know, we just usually sell them to people that want to get rid of a starfish problem."...ok?, not what I was asking or caring to find out. When you return something, they question you like you are on trial and you can more than guarantee you wont get your money back during their 48 hour return. If you want any attention from the people at this "business" because that is clearly what this places main concern is rather than helping people make informed decisions or helping people become educated, come in looking like you have money because after being in there over the years, they flock to those people first. They have a great selection of everything in the store but what good is all of that when you get ignored.

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