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LFS in Des Moines

Discussion in 'Des Moines & Ames Region' started by bobsfish, Dec 2, 2009.

  1. Dec 2, 2009 #1
    bobsfish

    bobsfish Experienced Reefkeeper

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    I'll be in Des Moines on Friday for my daughter's dance competition at Vets Memorial. I'm not familiar with Des Moines, but I'd like to visit one or two of the LFS while I'm there. I will be escaping sometime during the day when she's not performing....you can only take so much dance, when it's a 13-hour event !!! What do you suggest? If I can only find time to get to one store, which would you pick? 
    Thanks for the help, Bob
     
  2. Dec 2, 2009 #2
    jtesdall

    jtesdall Expert Reefkeeper

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    There are only two choices now, Iowa Pet Foods and Seascapes that supports GIRS. They are on 22nd west of downtown right behind Hooters. And Adams Aquatics, who doesn't support us, they are also west of downtown on 42nd.
     
  3. Dec 2, 2009 #3
    bobsfish

    bobsfish Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Thanks Joel. Isn't Iowa Pet Foods and Seascapes where you bought the group salt deal?
     
  4. Dec 2, 2009 #4
    FlyingMoray Minburn, IA

    FlyingMoray Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Minburn, IA
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    Yes it is. Personally, I dont even think Adams is worth checking out. His prices are outrageous on just about anything. Scott and Tim at Seascapes are good people.
     
  5. Dec 2, 2009 #5
    Troy

    Troy Experienced Reefkeeper

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    I would stop and check out both. Just remember which one suports our club.
     
  6. Dec 2, 2009 #6
    bobsfish

    bobsfish Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Thanks for the feedback. I'll check them both out if I have the time, but I'll go to IA Seascapes if I'm limited. It looks like they're not too far from Vets on Google map. I know I'll be looking for some "fish time" to get away from the dance competition. I went to one of my daughter's competitions in Minneapolis last winter...it was 12 hours long and then I drove 4.5 hours to get home...ug....and, the schedule was such that I couldn't escape for very long....at least not long enough to get to any saltwater store.
     
  7. Dec 2, 2009 #7
    jtesdall

    jtesdall Expert Reefkeeper

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    Nope not far at all, about 15 minutes. Get on 2nd Ave and go back to I235 and go west I would say 6-8 miles to the 22nd exit in West Des Moines. Street numbers will increase from downtown then start over when you cross into West Des Moines. Go right on 22nd and turn left at the first stop light at the Taco Bell. Go straight back and you will see Seascapes slightly on your left in the strip mall. If you need something great to eat, Yannis next door is terrific! I just came from lunch there.
     
  8. Dec 2, 2009 #8
    bobsfish

    bobsfish Experienced Reefkeeper

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    great...thanks Joel. btw...the green candy cane I got from you at Frag Fest is doing awesome....really opened up !
     
  9. Dec 2, 2009 #9
    pwfish

    pwfish Well-Known ReefKeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

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    I would also go to Adams and Seascapes. I think Adams has a better variety of corals, and they have been getting in ORA corals lately. Fish prices are less a seascapes, but nothing in the saltwater arena is cheap anymore.
     
  10. Dec 10, 2009 #10
    bobsfish

    bobsfish Experienced Reefkeeper

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    I thought I'd give an update from my trip to Des Moines. I was able to escape the 13 hours of dance competition between 500 dance teams long enough to go to both Adams and Seascapes. I thought both stores had many good attributes.
    I went to Adams first. It was really clean and the tanks and fish all looked great. The fish prices were decent. I liked the coral selection and thought they offered decent prices on many different sized frags. The prices weren't as good as frag fest, but worth considering. I tried to strike up a conversation with one of the employees, but didn't find the information very compelling. I would recommend buying most any of their livestock.
    Seascapes was a much bigger store with more variety of about everything. I struck up a conversation with one of the employees, Tim...very knowledgable guy; very impressive. I was a little mixed on the livestock. Many of the fish and corals looked really great, some not so hot. But, with proper selection, I wouldn't hesitate buying livestock from them. They had some pretty awesome display tanks.
    In summary, both stores are definitely worth visiting. I would like to see either one of those stores here in Cedar Rapids.
     
  11. Dec 20, 2009 #11
    Guest

    Guest Guest

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    My experience with Adam's is HORRID!  His wife ARGUED with me that my 1.025 salinity should be 1.024!  I couldn't believe it!  She thinks that they are the God's of saltwater.......NOT!!  I could go on but they aren't worth my time[​IMG]
     

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