Lack Of Shops In North East

[Doozer68]

Hello everyone, I'm a Newbie to the forum! I was wondering how far people travel to go to a decent Aquatic shop? We live in Washington (Tyne & Wear) and find there isn't much in our area, we used to go to Monument Aquatics in Washington, but that closed down at Christmas, we are now struggling to find any where decent in the local area. Obviuosly there is Pets @ Home, but we're not that keen on them. How far does everyone else travel, does anyone else have the same problem?

Thanks

 

[KimandPaul]

We live in Scarborough and have yet to find an independant fish shop that we are 100% happy with, is one in Muston but there is more dead fish than living ones and the fish tanks are disgusting.

We bought our first 3 Golden Barbs from Pets At Home and seem to be doing well.

 

[Wills]

I live in Hull and nothing incredible here. We have a Maidenhead that is quite good - always healthy fish and great staff but dont stock much to my taste but some great stuff there.

For me though I have started traveling further afield to Pier in Wigan and Wharf in Nottingham.

Wills

 

[sausagewinkle]

Hello everyone, I'm a Newbie to the forum! I was wondering how far people travel to go to a decent Aquatic shop? We live in Washington (Tyne & Wear) and find there isn't much in our area, we used to go to Monument Aquatics in Washington, but that closed down at Christmas, we are now struggling to find any where decent in the local area. Obviuosly there is Pets @ Home, but we're not that keen on them. How far does everyone else travel, does anyone else have the same problem?

Thanks

I live in the north east (near Sunderland) and also find the shops to be very poor.
Most of my community fish are from P@H (Washington or Wessington Way) I have been lucky enough not to have many problems although when I purchased these it was a good few month back and id say the quality has gone down hill since then.
I found a good shop in byker called betta aquatics, it was recommended to me by someone on this forum. I only purchased 3 bettas from there but found the rest of the fish to be in very good nick. Its worth having a look. It doesnt just specialise in bettas (being called betta aquatics) it has cold, tropical and marine.
I now only buy bettas but buy them online as you cant get the quality of them in this area

 

[colleen0309]

I hate the fact that the lfs are going out of business. I was one of those shops about 15 years ago. I haven't been able to find many good shops in my area. I had a 46 gallon bowfront with a broken brace I wanted to repair. After calling all shops within a 100 mile radius, I finally looked online and found an aquarium builder 500 miles away who had the trim and brace. When I inquired about it , they told me to go to my lfs and order it. I explained where I lived and that I couldn't get one around here. They found it hard to believe. They did alittle research into my area. The secretary then emailed me for my address and shipped me the trim and a tube of silicone free of charge. I also started to order fish off the internet from breeders. I got 4 of the most beautiful, healthy angelfish I've ever seen. It takes alot of research to find good dealers, but it's worth it. Thanks for listening to my ramblings and welcome to the forum!

 

[KimandPaul]

Can you tell us where you go online so we can purchase some decent fish. Even tho our locel Pets At Home have been fab and really have talked to us about being sensible with aquariums I am worried about their reputation.

Been to another shop today that sells fish and yes they looked healthy but the heaters were all knocked onto the gravel and my gut instinct said no.

 

[Doozer68]

Thanks for response, Obviuosly this problem is quite wide spread. We went to a certain Pets @ home near a certain big shopping centre, with Ikea next to it on Sunday and was dissapointed to see that seemed to have gone down hill alot since we'd last been in a couple of months ago.

Thanks for recommending Betta Aquatics I'll try that this weekend.

 

[sausagewinkle]

I no which 'certain' store you are on about

 

[colleen0309]

Can you tell us where you go online so we can purchase some decent fish. Even tho our locel Pets At Home have been fab and really have talked to us about being sensible with aquariums I am worried about their reputation.

Been to another shop today that sells fish and yes they looked healthy but the heaters were all knocked onto the gravel and my gut instinct said no.

I'm not sure my information will be much good to those in the UK. When I look for a breeder, I check forums like this one. I've been very lucky so far. Waiting for the mail to deliver my fish is nerve wracking. Everytime I have to go to petsmart it's a nightmare.

 

[andspenka]

Hello Doozer,

I'm also from the NE, the fish shop I always used before was Fish Alive, it's just outside Durham, website isn't brilliant but it's got the address on etc.

Fish Alive

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Tyne Valley Aquatics in Mickly (near Prudhoe) is very good. It's in my opinion one of the better North East shops - reasonable quality; reasonable price and they get rare stock in.

Betta Aquaria in Byker is quite good too. Again reasonable quality, reasonable price but they just have run of the mill fish in - however they always seem to be cleaning when I go in which I like.

Dobbies Garden Centre near the airport (Ponteland) is reasonable too.

Peter Barrats - Gosforth; don't even bother!

There are a few places near Bishop Aukland but I'm not 100% sure on their names; I'd have to get back to you on those.

I don't even know if it's still open but Dunston Exotics near metro centre - well don't bother if you haven't been already lol.

All in all - Tyne Valley Aquatics or Betta are some of the better ones.

 

[KimandPaul]

because we are struggling we are gonna stick to Pets At Home for now especially since they refused to sell my partner any more fish until Saturday.

Our tank has been cycled and the test results today were spot on as always yet because we are new to fish keeping and our golden barbs have only been in since Saturday 18th June we cant have any more until Saturday.

We seem to be getting top notch advice from our Pets At Home and have looked into online suppliers but i am worried the fish will be upset by all the travelling.

 

[mattbleasby]

Tyne Valley Aquatics +1 for that. Im down in Yarm, Near middlesbrough, We have a good few here i suppose. i use MA and another closer too home local one. But from what i have heard Tyne Valley are pretty awesome.

 

[KimandPaul]

I just googled where u live because ebay has a tank for sale there which got me pretty excited but better half says its too far to travel

Would be worried the fish would die by the time we got home

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Tyne Valley Aquatics +1 for that. Im down in Yarm, Near middlesbrough, We have a good few here i suppose. i use MA and another closer too home local one. But from what i have heard Tyne Valley are pretty awesome.

Tyne Valley is great. It gets rare stock in, it has common stock. The staff are knowledgable and if you need help they'll help you lol.

I've never been to MA, bit too far away for me . 2 hr drive each way