Decent Shops In Essex?

[HappyGeorge]

I have to take a run to Ikea today, any decent Marine fishy shops within a stones throw of Lakeside? Just for a browse, don't actually need anything.

 

[seffieuk]

For a browse, Swallows in Rayleigh is about fifteen minutes away from there - but be aware, the fresh tropicals are fine (but expensive) but the marines are kept at 1.016 so would require a very long acclimatisation. There is also a very strange shop in Wickford, Wickford aquatics, its in Alpha garden centre, not the cleanest place in the world, but they have a lot of second hand hardware and several marine tanks - its like stepping back twenty years or so, but I have bought stock from there in the past and its fine - they run their tanks at 1.25/6 which is unusual - also heard recently that they used to use sea water from Southend, dont think they do anymore though. There is a very strange chap in there, who never seems to smile, but he is really helpful

 

[HappyGeorge]

For a browse, Swallows in Rayleigh is about fifteen minutes away from there - but be aware, the fresh tropicals are fine (but expensive) but the marines are kept at 1.016 so would require a very long acclimatisation. There is also a very strange shop in Wickford, Wickford aquatics, its in Alpha garden centre, not the cleanest place in the world, but they have a lot of second hand hardware and several marine tanks - its like stepping back twenty years or so, but I have bought stock from there in the past and its fine - they run their tanks at 1.25/6 which is unusual - also heard recently that they used to use sea water from Southend, dont think they do anymore though. There is a very strange chap in there, who never seems to smile, but he is really helpful

Thanks hun. You post such a glowing picture of the Marine retail business in Essex. They should put you up for publicity consultant

 

[seffieuk]

Thanks hun. You post such a glowing picture of the Marine retail business in Essex. They should put you up for publicity consultant

thats why I always go over to Kent however, those shops are worth a mooch and I do so on a regular basis - I found the assessor in Swallows, £25 for a blue

 

[HappyGeorge]

Well you haven't come down to Sittingbourne yet, have been looking forward to meeting you and showing you the best coral shop in the South of England.

Think I might just stop off at Swallows Gravesend or Dartford on the way past.

 

[seffieuk]

Well you haven't come down to Sittingbourne yet, have been looking forward to meeting you and showing you the best coral shop in the South of England.

That would be cool, maybe in the Summer holidays?

 

[HappyGeorge]

That would be cool, maybe in the Summer holidays?

Whenever I'm always after an excuse to go there and stare into his tanks whilst drinking his coffee. It's only a couple of miles away so no real notice required. Other than weekends Thursday is always a good day as I'm off Thursdays.

 

[Tony_essex]

lol seffie i no the bloke u mean in wickford one he never smiles but his always the only one thats free when i go , maybe we could do a kent/essex meet one day ? id be up for that

 

[seffieuk]

maybe we could do a kent/essex meet one day ? id be up for that

Looks like a Thursday in the Summer holidays, would you be able to do that Tony?

 

[Tony_essex]

if u can let me no with few weeks notice as ill have to book it off but yes most of Aug is fine for meor most weekends imfree