Anyone in Orange county, CA?

tsoperator · 04-29-2006, 01:55 PM

I'm headed to a place today called Black Coral in the city of Santa Ana. Apparently they are whaolesalers that open from 1-6 pm, 3 days a week to the public. But, you have to purchase a $20 membership. Just wondered if anybody had been there, and maybe help save me $20 if it sucks. Thanks.
J

Phishnoob · 04-29-2006, 06:38 PM

I moved up from the OC to this mountain and never heard of them living ten miles away even with friends in the hobby.

I would go to Jeff's Exotic in Gardena right across from Signal Hill if you are down that way. They must have had 20 guys there and it is a working warehouse. Don't get scared of the barbed wire and the security guard..just bring your old car to that neighborhood...a sidearm is optional.

They have just tank after tank after tank of stuff in huge volume sizes. No membership either...no idea what that is. They better have live entertainment for a 20 dollar cover.

rison123 · 04-30-2006, 10:52 AM

I live in Santa Ana and have been to Black Coral. For your $20 you will get a T-shirt and then go into the back and view a limited selection of corals and a few fish. Prices are pretty good though. No flash, just livestock. I have been to Jeff's Exotic fish in Tustin. He is my LFS, Lotsa good livestock, lotsa knowledgable people, prices are higher, but you get what you pay for. Ask for Terry (owner) or Eric (really smart kid)!

tsoperator · 04-30-2006, 12:15 PM

Hey thanks Phishnoob! Most of Gardena is the hood. I drive past Signal Hill on the 405 every day for work but Tustin may me a little more my speed.

Thanks rison, I stopped by there yesterday and their selection was limited. Although I did see the biggest clam at a store I've evr seen. They seem pretyy friendly there but I will definitely check Jeff's. With you experience with Jeff's, do they seem pretty sincere, or are they just out to sell you stuff?
Thanks.
J

rison123 · 04-30-2006, 04:25 PM

On the contrary, they are not out to sell you. I have been trying to but an Elegence coral for a couple of months now. Eric they young guy will ask us about water parameters and general tanks questions and has stuck with "not yet, your not ready yet". He'd sell it to me if I insisted on it. But he has been very cool about making the decision on whether or not it's the right thing to do. They are a little pricey, but I pay for their knowledge.

Oh yeah, if your settin up a new tank he normally has a deal on 9 coral for $199.00 ($22.00 each). Otherwise they are about $39.00 each.

tsoperator · 04-30-2006, 06:49 PM

I stopped by the one in Costa Mesa today and it looked pretty clean in there. Fish selection was pretty weak but they had a good amount of coral. I'll give the store on Tustin Ave. a visit soon.
J

Phishnoob · 04-30-2006, 06:52 PM

Jeff's is awesome!!!

They are not trying to really sell anything. A guy will help you out but they are a working warehouse. The selection and quality though is beyond belief..sort of like going to the Costco of LFS's. I never had a complaint ever and no one keyed the Bimmer.