Washington Meet 08-18-07 [Archive] - MonsterFishKeepers.com

WyldFya

08-13-2007, 12:36 PM

On Saturday August 18, 2007, we will be meeting at 10:00AM at Extreme Marine, in Olympia, WA. http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&q=extreme+marine&near=Olympia,+WA&fb=1&view=text&latlng=47044010,-122863097,8836652836086622018

Now I need an official weigh in of the members that will be attending as to whether we want to head north to seattle, and brave the traffic, or head south to portland, and hit the zoo (they have a big silver, huge pacu, and some stellar seals) and The Wet Spot, and numerous other shops.

If you have a shop that you really think we need to stop by, post it up. Please keep posts related only toward shops/stops for the meet.

Modest_Man

08-13-2007, 9:32 PM

I drove I-5 North from Auburn to UW today at 10am. Traffic was very light, made great time.

South on I-5 at 4pm was the same, from UW to 18.

I'm sure it's going to get worse as the week goes on though as people stop diverting around. But Saturday, middle of the day? I say no problem.

I say North, as it will be to new places for me that I will visit again. Portland is just too far of a drive.

I'll throw out another plug for A Place For Pets in Burien. THE place in Western Washington for Central and South American cichlids. www.aplaceforpets.org.

dmopar74

08-13-2007, 10:07 PM

yeah earlier i voted south but after reconsidering that would make for a really long and drawn out day. so now i say north! and i second A Place For Pets, nice store.

AttackFish

08-13-2007, 10:13 PM

I vote north. Oregon is to far, and I dont think my mom would let me go if we did infact go to Portland.

Caveman

08-13-2007, 10:21 PM

I voted north. The drive to Portland is just to long.

AttackFish

08-13-2007, 11:22 PM

I just wanted to know, what are all the places planned, all I know of is a place for pets and Extreme marine, I remember talk of going to an aquarium and such. I just want to know a complete list of all the places planned. I'm just excited to go to Extreme Marine, Haha.

Caveman

08-14-2007, 12:12 AM

I would also like to see a list, please.

WyldFya

08-14-2007, 1:33 AM

This is the list. I haven't had time to get a good list together. The four shops in china town in seattle are a big one for me. I wouldn't mind hitting aquarium paradise, and the mongolian bbq. I'll get a good list on wednesday.

AttackFish

08-14-2007, 1:39 AM

The china town shops sound cool, I've never even been to china town! Hopefully theres some odd fish there.

Modest_Man

08-14-2007, 12:53 PM

The china town shops sound cool, I've never even been to china town! Hopefully theres some odd fish there.

Agreed.

Viverr

08-14-2007, 2:35 PM

Coming into this one a little late, sorry about that. It'll be nice to meet some like minded people. I'm up by Everett, so my vote's north. Everett to Olympia to Portland and back just sounds like a killer day with I-5 messed up :eek:

Blacksunshine420

08-14-2007, 6:46 PM

there are 4 shops? I only know of the dive on Jackson next to the transit center. and that place is a ... well a dive. crap qual fish crappy local and crappy prices and products.

Blue seirra in Issaquah is a nice shop. as is Little amazon up in northgate. LA however isn't going to have alot of parking space. A shop I went to that was ok was midway pets. but they tend to sell their fish mislabled. (trying to sell african pikes as african tiger fish) And the punk that works there is a snotty arrogant little bastard. But they do have a pretty good assortment of oddballs. and stuff you don't see in alot of places.

the fish store on Roosevelt also has a real good selection of plants and misc fish.
Myself i'm in bellevue so obviously north gets my vote.

If we want to stop somewhere we of course have the aquarium in seattle.

dmopar74

08-14-2007, 8:04 PM

blue sierra is very well priced for a lfs but mainly SW, very few if any eventuall monsters sold there. midway has some cool fish sometimes, you gotta deal with the older man though to get good info/deals, and some big fish in their main tank.
really lookin foreward to china town, never been there and i love going to new places! also heard good things about little amazon.

WyldFya

08-14-2007, 10:16 PM

The plant one is one I would like to visit.

hbluehunter

08-14-2007, 10:29 PM

any idea how late this meet is going to run???? It's my reserve weekend and i don't get done until 4pm.

ProblEmZ

08-14-2007, 11:55 PM

any idea how late this meet is going to run???? It's my reserve weekend and i don't get done until 4pm.

ugh, I gotta work until about 3pm so i'm gonna have to catch up as well. Coming outta Bellevue heh.

hbluehunter

08-15-2007, 12:05 AM

i'll be in everett

Derpeder

08-15-2007, 1:15 PM

Good call. I'm not sure I'll be able to make it yet. But if I can maybe catch some parts that would be sweet. I'm not to far away from seattle.

I didn't vote cause I can't say for sure if I can make it.

But Id say north.

WyldFya

08-15-2007, 1:28 PM

Caveman

08-15-2007, 2:53 PM

Are we gonna be making a trip to a place for pets? That is a must for Cichlid lovers.

cookiemonster

08-15-2007, 6:48 PM

We have to go to A Place for Pets! They have cichlids I've never even heard of there and I barely ever get a chance to go there. I'm saving up $$$ for the meet. So far I've got $52 ;).

Caveman

08-15-2007, 7:55 PM

We have to go to A Place for Pets! They have cichlids I've never even heard of there and I barely ever get a chance to go there. I'm saving up $$$ for the meet. So far I've got $52 ;).
Thats 2-3 nice Cichlids. I will have to leave most my money at home or I will not be able to eat for the rest of the month.:ROFL:

dmopar74

08-15-2007, 7:55 PM

North it is. Starting at extreme marine in oly at 10:00AM. Quick stop in tacoma, and the wet spot and LA sound good, also the plant one. :D Need more stops on the tour guys and gals! Mei you going to be there???

the wet spot? dont you mean place for pets? why dont we stop at midway fiish & pet, its on the way.

Modest_Man

08-15-2007, 9:39 PM

I'd like to try Midway, I haven't been but have heard about it.

A Place For Pets is my favorte by far since I'm a huge CA/SA cichlid nerd.

I wish Kevin would update his website...he still has the July sales items up. :( I'm still waiting for another 25% off all cichlids coupon.

http://www.aplaceforpets.org/coupon.pdf

WyldFya

08-16-2007, 12:17 AM

Are we gonna be making a trip to a place for pets? That is a must for Cichlid lovers.
We are now.

WyldFya

08-16-2007, 12:18 AM

So

1)Extreme Marine
2)Aquarium Paradise (Tacoma)
3)Mongolian BBQ (T)
4)A Place For Pets (??)
5)???

Modest_Man

08-16-2007, 12:33 AM

A Place For Pets is in Burien, take I-5 to 405 West then take it all the way into Burien. Left at the first major light (1st?) then a right a couple lights down on 152nd. It's about 5 minutes down on the left, 431 Sw 152nd St.

I'm emailing Kevin right now to see if I can get us any special treatment.

Caveman

08-16-2007, 12:46 AM

Modest_Man

08-16-2007, 1:00 AM

dmopar74

08-16-2007, 1:08 AM

we still hittin chinatown?

Caveman

08-16-2007, 1:31 AM

I pretty much said we're bringing in guys and it would be great if he was there with his cichlid knowledge. Gave him links to these two topics, and hinted that it would be a good plug for business. :)
I agree that Kevin is a great guy, he hooked me up big when I need to ship some fish. (He's the second reason I go there, #1 being the cichlids, of course).
I like him cause he will try hard to get Cichlids you want. My first time in there me and my freind were looking for haitiensis but he didnt have any so we asked him if he could get them and he said yes, I will have some in a week or two and when we returned 2 weeks later he had a bunch of Haitiensis. I dont mind the 2hr drive from my home town to his shop. I use to go to the fish gallerys and pet in Renton all the time when he ran it.

Modest_Man

08-16-2007, 1:52 AM

Yeah, have you been there lately? Fish Gallery and Pet's is now terrible. :(

AttackFish

08-16-2007, 2:36 AM

I'm soooo pumped for the meet. Might be picking up 3 widebar dats, and some sort of cichlid.

Caveman

08-16-2007, 3:38 AM

Yeah, have you been there lately? Fish Gallery and Pet's is now terrible. :(
Yeah, just a few years ago that was the best Cichlid place around but I guess the Cichlids go where Kevin goes.

cookiemonster

08-16-2007, 9:57 AM

Well, it looks like I might only be able to make it to Extreme Marine, because my aunt is having a baby (scheduled delivery thing) that afternoon. Oh well, it'll still be awesome to see everyone!

WyldFya

08-16-2007, 12:39 PM

China town is a definite spot I'd like to hit, but don't know the names of the shops, and I can't remember how to get to them either.

Modest_Man

08-16-2007, 1:25 PM

I'm no help on the Chinatown shops (never even been in Seattle's Chinatown!?) but I'd like to check it out for sure. Who knows where they are? THE TRUST?

WyldFya

08-16-2007, 2:28 PM

JED?! WHERE ARE YOU! WE NEED YOU!

If anyone knows the names, and how to get to the china town shops post it up here, if not, I'll look it up.

Caveman

08-16-2007, 5:29 PM

When you guys go to Chinatown make sure you bring some cash to pay the parking meters. There is a pay and park ($3?) below a overpass which is near Kings Discuss which IMO is the nicest shop in Chinatown. I will not be making the trip to Chinatown.

AttackFish

08-16-2007, 6:44 PM

Anyone want some convicts? I have a 5'' male and a 3'' female, they both look really nice. Male has kind of a deep purple tint to him and the female has a blue tint to her. You can take the male and female along with 20 1'' con fry for $5 bucks... PM Me and we'll work something out. ;)

The TRUST

08-16-2007, 7:07 PM

JED?! WHERE ARE YOU! WE NEED YOU!

If anyone knows the names, and how to get to the china town shops post it up here, if not, I'll look it up.

King's Discus
QT Aquarium
Liem's Aquarium

Caveman

08-16-2007, 7:38 PM

King's Discus
QT Aquarium
Liem's Aquarium
If your a big guy be carefull in Liems its a little bit of a tight fit. I feel like a bull in a China shop every time I go in there. Its also down an alley way so make sure to keep an eye out for it.

Modest_Man

08-16-2007, 8:14 PM

What I could find.

King's Discus
805 S King St
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 264-1666

QT Aquarium
509 S Jackson St
Seattle, WA 98104
206-381-3889

Liem's Aquarium
511A Maynard Aly S
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 624-0537

cookiemonster

08-16-2007, 10:25 PM

How are the Chinatown shops? I've never been to any of them, but they sound pretty cool. By the way, thanks for the warning about Liem's. I probably won't make it there any time soon, but I'm 6' 4" even though I'm only 14 lol.

Caveman

08-17-2007, 4:18 PM

Did Extreme Marine get the fish we wanted?:confused:

dmopar74

08-17-2007, 9:43 PM

cant wait for tommorow:headbang2 so whos actually coming? im #1, whos 2?

Modest_Man

08-17-2007, 10:19 PM

Well, gosh. Since I'm driving I better be going. Working on a map of the Chinatown shops right now.

cookiemonster

08-17-2007, 11:01 PM

Hey bad news Caveman: I called Extreme Marine and they said they couldn't get a hold of any umbee for us :(.

Modest_Man

08-17-2007, 11:50 PM

Talk to Kevin at A Place For Pets. He's had them in before.

Oh, and Kevin says he won't be in the shop tomorrow, he's got a wedding to attend. Too bad, as he's a great guy.

Viverr

08-18-2007, 12:51 AM

Working on a map of the Chinatown shops right now.

I think I'd better do the same. There's something about driving in Seattle that gives my sense of direction a swift kick in the jollies.

-V

cookiemonster

08-18-2007, 12:51 AM

Seriously? I'm not much of a regular (been there two whole times lol), but do you think he'll still hook me up? Not even Rapps has umbees right now...

Modest_Man

08-18-2007, 1:15 AM

Can't hurt to ask. He's really good about getting in fish people want. Hell, I'll ask tomorrow even though Kevin won't be around.

WyldFya

08-18-2007, 1:20 AM

So the final list...

1) Extreme Marine
2)Aquarium Paradise
3) Mongolian Grill (possibly for lunch)
4) King's Discus
5) QT Aquarium
6) Liem's Aquarium

Any others? If you have them, print off a few maps and bring them with you tomorrow.

Modest_Man

08-18-2007, 1:24 AM

What about Midway and A Place For Pets?

I have directions to all except Aquarium Paradise, which I have no idea where it is.

dmopar74

08-18-2007, 1:27 AM

aquarium paradise is the easyest one to get to. its about a block of 1-5 in tacoma. ill show ya. midway i think is worth passin up, but a place for pets is real nice.

WyldFya

08-18-2007, 12:08 PM

We'll add those two as well. See ya all in an hour.

cookiemonster

08-18-2007, 2:08 PM

:wall::cry::nilly: I overslept! Dangit! Sorry guys, I was only going to be able to make it to Olympia anyway, and you're probably gone by now...

AttackFish

08-18-2007, 3:02 PM

Hope everyone has fun that gets to go, and I better see some cool pictures.

And cookiemonster, is theres a meet next year, I can drive as I'll have my license by then.

ProblEmZ

08-18-2007, 3:13 PM

I feel both of ya, I'm currently at work and couldn't go. I'm unsure where they'll be by the time i'm off. Hopefully the next meet i'll have the day off.

Hell i haven't ever been to A Place for Pets. Will definitely have to try to check that place out someday.

cookiemonster

08-18-2007, 7:02 PM

Transportation isn't the issue for me, it's getting my lazy butt out of bed in time lol.

Viverr

08-18-2007, 7:54 PM

Fish were seen, and bought. Purchased fish didn't include QT Aquariums 'pima. There's always next time. :D

Of additional note, Liems is very, very (very) small, but gets bonus points for having more than 2 lungfish.

Modest_Man

08-18-2007, 9:12 PM

Let's play the guess what we got thread...

And the guess how many different illegal species we saw!

AttackFish

08-18-2007, 9:20 PM

I know for a fact you guys saw an RTG.

Aquaman_95

08-18-2007, 9:21 PM

Don't know Why I even Voted...lol

Modest_Man

08-18-2007, 9:34 PM

Oh, and I'm the only one who took photos and they suck very bad. The best shop to take photos in (kings discus) wouldn't allow photography.

Those flagtails, and Pbass, and wolf fish, and arowanas, and rays.... :drool:

I'll try to get a couple up tonight, it will take me a while.

AttackFish

08-18-2007, 9:36 PM

You better! If theres a meet later this year, or next year I'll definately go, there was just alot of trouble getting it arranged this time. Next meet I'm going for sure. And I'll bring a good camera for fish pics aswell.

dmopar74

08-18-2007, 10:48 PM

picked up these 2 beauties today!:headbang2

Lonewolfblue

08-18-2007, 11:43 PM

Looks awsome. So how many showed up? How many were in the group?

Viverr

08-18-2007, 11:50 PM

Good to see they made the trip home ok!

dmopar74

08-18-2007, 11:51 PM

only 4 of us, but it was plenty cool once we got to chinatown!

dmopar74

08-18-2007, 11:52 PM

Good to see they made the trip home ok!

oh yeah, the cat already is eatin like a pig. the gourami is being pushed around a bit by my blood parrot but is showing interest in the food.

AttackFish

08-19-2007, 12:06 AM

There needs to be another meet involving LFS. And next time, more then 4 people need to go. If theres a meet next year, I will deffinately make it. If theres going to be another meet this year, I will definately make it. :ROFL:

WyldFya

08-19-2007, 12:33 AM

We will have another meet for fish shops again, but not any time soon I doubt. The fish we saw were great, we saw the RTG, and some spotted gar, and "pacu" (piranha), then we saw the big silvers and blacks at King's, and the rays, bichirs, knives, jars, RTC, LSN, something called an asia shovel nose???, couple lungs, and way to many flowerhorns. Good to see your cat is eating already, he's a beast.

dmopar74

08-19-2007, 12:35 AM

RTGG is eatin now as well!

Lonewolfblue

08-19-2007, 12:43 AM

Cool

Modest_Man

08-19-2007, 1:24 AM

Let's start out with my best photo EVER.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r265/Haole_Built/100_1814.jpg

Following are photos from QT Aquarium. Did not take any before this.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r265/Haole_Built/100_1816.jpg
There is one of the worlds largest freshwater fish in there if you look close.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r265/Haole_Built/100_1817.jpg
Couple of the fish Joe bought.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r265/Haole_Built/100_1818.jpg
Jar and blood parrots.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r265/Haole_Built/100_1821.jpg
The $80 "Pacus".

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r265/Haole_Built/100_1822.jpg
Devils/midas and half a lone nic.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r265/Haole_Built/100_1824.jpg
One of the hundreds of flowerhorns. (Ick)

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r265/Haole_Built/100_1826.jpg
Entrance to Liems. Smelled wonderful by the dumpsters.

I have a photo of the inside, but Chris is right in the middle of it. Don't know if he wants his photo posted all over the web.

Lastly, little guy I got with some cash Joe was kind enough to give me (was supposed to pay for gas, oh well). Very stoked, this is its barring when it's stressed as hell. Very solid. Never had a dat before.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r265/Haole_Built/100_1842.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r265/Haole_Built/100_1849.jpg

Lonewolfblue

08-19-2007, 10:34 AM

Great pics.....

dmopar74

08-19-2007, 6:43 PM

i went back to kings discus today!:naughty: oh by the way there is a huge parking lot across the street from kings. $3 for 2 hours, $10 all day.

Modest_Man

08-19-2007, 6:51 PM

You get one of those long things with teeth like you said you wanted too? :D

Dat is eating earthworms, which isn't as easy as pellets but will work for now.

WyldFya did not pick up my 8" sengal bicher, so he's still available if anyone wants him.

dmopar74

08-19-2007, 6:57 PM

Viverr

08-19-2007, 10:29 PM

i went back to kings discus today!:naughty:

Haha, killer. I was there after the game :headbang2

Didn't see it when we were there the first time, but Kings has another Oxydoras upstairs, maybe 6" or so. Pity I'd taken the bus down, or I probably would have talked myself into it.

dmopar74

08-19-2007, 10:34 PM

good thing i didnt go upstairs then lol. the owner(i assume he is the owner) is a real nice guy, we chatted a bit.

Viverr

08-20-2007, 5:16 AM

Sounds like the guy I talked to for a bit. Heavier-set asian guy, maybe mid-30's? Seems to know his fish pretty well.

Don't know why, but Liems store was packed full of people at 5pm on a Sunday. I had to wait in the alley to get a second look of the lungs he's got.
Not sure I agree with his assessment that a 55'll do them for life based on the fact they don't move a whole lot, but he was really interested in dickering on the price. Hell, he dropped $5 off the sticker price when I asked if he had others I couldn't see.

I'd better watch out, I'm getting ahead of my tank space PDQ. :D

WyldFya

08-20-2007, 12:49 PM

Easy solution to that... Buy a bigger tank! There's that 240 down at EM...

dmopar74

08-20-2007, 8:33 PM

wyldfya what was the name again of the place that could build custom glass tanks we were talking bout? do you have any contact info?

cookiemonster

08-20-2007, 9:59 PM

How much is the 240? I am currently looking for a large aquarium and haven't had much luck trying to get tanks from Craigslist.

Viverr

08-20-2007, 10:43 PM

You and me both. I talked to a guy with a free 180 glass, and he said he had more than ten offers to move it that day within 5 minutes of posting.

WyldFya

08-21-2007, 1:24 AM

The 240 is at EM, you'll have to call for a price.

The shop that does the custom acrylic tanks is Aquarium paradise, the one that does custom glass is inter american. I'll have to find a link.

dmopar74

08-21-2007, 7:22 PM

i found it, thanks.:headbang2 http://members.aol.com/johnnyq627/main.html

Lonewolfblue

08-21-2007, 10:48 PM

Are they just in Canada, or are they in the US as well? I looked up the phone number in the directory, and it's a Canadian number. It's listed as:
Bow Valley Aquarium
6333 35 St SE
Calgary, AB T2C 1N1

cookiemonster

08-23-2007, 1:43 AM

Which one of the shops you guys visited would be the best for getting a 125 gallon aquarium? I am looking for one and the only thing local (Grays Harbor) is a 100 gallon for $380. Is that a good price? I am hoping to get a tank a little cheaper than that, and I've had no luck with Craigslist.