 This is a great store that offers a varity of good SW and FW, i visit this place regularly for SW fish and coral, staff are great and helpful and if they dont know the answer you seek they try to get someone else in the store to help out, overall a good experiance Noeil 22:59:33 6/14/2011 |
Great place and great prices! There is always a wide variety of supplies and livestock available. My main problem is with the lack of knowledge among the employees. Often, fish are housed in situations that are good, but do not suit their needs. (aka schooling fish kept solo, or incompatible species kept together) The tanks are also not always properly marked for the species in them. Other than that, this is my favorite place to go for all things aquarium related! |
 This store is amazing they helped me find the right stuff 4 my betta for a cheap price!!!!!!! lizzy b. 18:11:30 4/24/2011 |
I have been dealing with Ted (the owner) for several years now. I trust him, which is more than you can say for many local fish stores. He's been selling Tetramin for the same price since he opened a couple of decades ago and takes great pride in doing big volume at low prices. The fish are mostly very good--big selection--with some notable problems now and again. Ted orders stuff you won't see elsewhere and sells them, again, at good prices. The low prices make you forget that the store could be nicer and the selection of species and supplies cannot be beaten regionally. We drive from Tracy to do business here. I would not make a serious investment in pet stuff anyplace else. |
 One other comment to add from my previous entry. Ted's personal motto that he has repeated to me several times when I'v visited the store is "We've alway tried to give the best possible quality for the best possible price." This is why they have survived for decades even though the other main stream super stores like Petsmart and Petco have driven out all the other small pet stores. I"m not a personal friend of Ted's, just a consumer with brains enough to know a good thing when I stumble on it. Dan B. 13:34:46 10/22/2009 |
Have dealt with Ted, the owner, for about 2 years now. The best pet store ever been to. Been doing freshwater fish for about 6 years ranging from discus to African Cichlids so I'm not a novice. I've seen a lot of local fish stores and bought a lot of equipment over the years. Ted is honest and is THE expert in all areas. The prices cannot be matched anywhere!! The range of stock is better than any fish store I've seen in Contra Costa, Sacramento, and surrounding Central Valley counties unless you special order. As for the smell comments...?? Its' a frapp'n pet store!! An independant pet store that cares more about service and price than about corporate revinue.. I cannot speak highly enough of Tropical Haven and I refer as many as possible to this store when given the chance. Dan B. 13:28:55 10/22/2009 |
This is an EXCELENT store. Very helpful, and they had everything I needed for my betta. I will DEFINATELY be returning as often as I can. My Betta gladly thanks the man that helped his mommy make sure she was dosing his medicine for fin rot right. He is now a very happy Betta blowing his bubble nests and showing off for the mirror :) I will probably be getting another Betta from them to be next to Shiku's tank. All of their Bettas appeared healthy and diease-free! However if you are a Betta Rescuer, best to by the Betta at Petco/Pet's Mart, as most are very ill, and buy all the supplies at this wonderful store. Save a Betta! Shiku the Betta's Mommy 06:15:52 8/20/2009 |
 Need a second phone line. Their's has been busy for 20 minutes. gigi 17:40:11 9/25/2008 |
The central filtration system could use some revamping really - the weak point of this store. Redoing those filtration systems is both extremely costly, and difficult to do correctly - but given, it just needs to be done. The great thing about this store is that Ted can buy in bulk, and has the room to store things for extended periods of time - and pass the savings on. You can get some of the rarer products that are effective (NPK anyone?), but people are just afraid to use - and consequently wouldn't normally turn a profit. As for the fish... not everything has been in excellent condition - but it's pretty easy to know when a fish is healthy or when it isn't. One of the great things is if you are an amateur killifish keeper, Ted is both an excellent resource and often carries some nice specimens. Oh, and about the price? You can get the cheap fish if you want from suppliers - but those are poor genetic stock (yes, it does matter) and will tend to struggle far more. The big stores will get the lowest possible price - but also sell the low quality stock. When you're going with a quality breeder, you have to expect to pay more upfront (but have less deaths/disease). Read a few supplier lists :) |
I was there today to check out tanks. Great selection on tanks and filters, etc... Very well priced also. As for the smell and the uncleanliness....IT'S A PET STORE!!! IT HAS OVER 1000 FISH...it's gonna smell...GET OVER IT!!!!! |
i love this store so much....they could do with a nice remodel i think the nasty smell is probably related to tanks spilling on the floor, however.....their salt tanks almost are always in good shape, could use a bit more cleaning, but never seen sick fish....always got good stock from there and their staff is really nice, sometimes too helpful, but always nice, and GREAT prices on anything you would need.
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I love going to this store,and wont go anywhere else in the county for fish. There is always someone knowledgeable there to help. confidential 20:42:07 8/07/2007 |
This store was a true find for me this guy at petco across the street told me of this place it was a true reward because i was looking for a big tank for my oscars and pacus i was gonna get so i found a tank there that was a 135 gallon the price wasnt too bad the guy that works there showed me some magic tricks with money it was cool yep Tropical Haven is a magical store oaktown 19:19:41 6/05/2007 |
For one thing this store is closed on sundays but the prices are really good here they have lots of fish to choose from i saw a tank with oscars one very large oscar and medium sized oscars with pacus jack dempsey and a red parrot i found a tank i wanted thats a 135 gallon with wood circles on side of tank this guy that works there showed me and my mom some magic tricks it was fun confidential 19:14:20 6/05/2007 |
Great selection of supplies. Both the owner and the manager are extremely knowledgable and most willing to help. They answer all questions and they will order anything you want if it is available. Very accommodating! Yes, the store is in need of a good cleaning and probably of more help with tank upkeep, but all in all, you cannot beat their prices, inventory and knowledge. Also, they do not necessarily push you toward the high end stuff just because that's what's popular. I really appreciated that! Glenda 13:14:56 4/28/2007 |
Great fish, terrific tanks, lots to choose from. Glad I was told of this place! A-#1! |
Great selection of fish. Both salt water & fresh. The place has almost everything for all kinds of pets. (dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, etc.) Maybe Jason above went to another store! He is sadly mistaken! |
This is a great place, see the owner Ted or the manager. Alot of useful information! Keep way to order salt water fish. Terri 22:26:04 1/07/2007 |
 decent prices on filters and other fish related products....staff not very knowledgeable about fish species....prices on fish are a little ridiculous (way too high)... plus store is very dirty...lots of dead fish in their tanks....a lot of crickets jumping everywhere, not very fun while looking at fish in the bottom tanks...and by the way the smell is absolutely HORRRRRIBLE!!!!!! all in all I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS STORE!!!!! Jason 21:27:11 4/11/2006 |
Largest selection of aquariums I've seen and reasonable. Huge fish inventory. The staff is very helpful, sometimes too much. John P. 21:49:35 2/06/2005 |
 this store sucks sad store 16:19:47 12/28/2004 |