Closed as of Dec. 2011
Leslie 11:23:22 1/30/2012
Closed as of Dec. 2011 Leslie 11:23:22 1/30/2012 |
 First, the good: Katy is phenomenal. I've had my planted freshwater tank for almost a year and a half and was about ready to give up and chunk it into the front yard a few months ago. Katy worked with me extensively to troubleshoot all my issues and get my aquarium to the point that it is gorgeous and thriving. No matter how busy it is, she spends as much time with me as I need. Now the bad: I purchased a CO2 tank and regulator from them on February 26 and that along with a couple fish and a plant came to over $500. Mr. London and Katy showed me how to attach it to the tank, filled the bubble chamber with glycerin, and showed me how to adjust the dials and count the bubbles. I set it up per their instructions and it worked great up until this past Wednesday, when the regulator just died. I drove 30 miles to take it back to the store yesterday. They plugged it in and were also unable to get it to work, but refused to help me, even though they know me and Mr. London had personally set it up for me and remembered doing so only three weeks prior, because I "didn't follow the rules" and didn't take the receipt with me. They told me that they "sometimes have problems with" the regulator manufacturer and don't want to eat the cost of the regulator themselves, and that without the receipt the only thing they are willing to do is "work with me" and sell me another regulator at a discounted price. I looked everywhere when I got home and am still unable to find the receipt. I don't have a lot of money, but I love my aquarium and saved up for several months to finally get a tank and a good regulator. I can't afford another one and wouldn't buy anything else from them at this point, regardless. I love Katy and will miss her advice, but I can get almost anything I need for my aquarium much more cheaply at any number of other places. I refuse to give my hard-earned money to any business that thinks so little of their customers. |
 Katey was very knowledgable and helpful in selecting a system for saltwater. Willing to assist in designing and selecting fish. Other than that, I think they are very over priced and the place is not clean. Many of the tanks are filthy or abandoned. Just maybe no fish in around? BB 15:02:48 12/03/2010 |
i bought fish tere because of the large selection..these fish introduced columnaris to my tanks. several months later i was ion the are and was foolish to buy fish again--more columnaris. owner was in fish area but ignored me when i asked a question. rude owner and clerks, overpriced merchandise and diseased fih--how do they stay in business s cohen 11:42:38 11/10/2010 |
Went this past weekend. THE GOOD THE BAD The parking is awful, and the store is a maze of tanks and there were people everywhere. THE UGLY The older lady behind the counter (manager?) was complaining about customers and being very negative. I will probably go back one more time, (on a week day) will look for the same person to help me and give the counter staff one more chance. |
 I’ve been a frequent customer of Tropic Isle over the past 4 years and will have to agree with other posters that certain staff members are rude, mostly the Store Manager. If I added up all my purchases in this timeframe, it has exceeded $1,000 dollars in gravel, lighting, livestock, plants, chemicals etc. They way she treats you, you’d think you’re doing them a big favor for coming back. Then again, I haven’t seen her lately (good), maybe she quit or got fired (better). This may be true, since I’ve seen the owner more and more. This guy is slovenly and standoffish. It may also explain why over the last 6 months month’s I have seen a rapid decline in freshwater fish selections & store cleanliness. My most recent fish purchase came with Ick and shredded fins. I should have known better and not have purchased, but they did look a lot different in the store tanks. Pro - The do have the best selection of any Aquarium store I’ve ever been to in Massachusetts as it seems all before me have stated. Also, if you get the right person to help, you will get some great advice and support. Unless things change, you’re better off purchasing all your supplies online (Like Big Al’s Online) and frequenting The Fish Nook in Acton for Live Stock & Plants. |
 After over a dozen trips to their store I remain perplexed with their odd combination of excellent stock, including variety and incredibly rude staff. The owner is far from client centered and actually quite rude at times. A grim reaper of a cashier (the younger one is ok) seems put out that you are in her presense, staff offer varying advice and with few exceptions including Jason (great with kids, very patient, excellent knowledge of stock, food including getting difficult fish to eat etc.), Kevin (works well with my son but seems annoyed by me) and Nick (excellent knowledge including chemicals, medications, additives, etc.) the staff gets 1/2 star or in this case fish. J.U. 12:32:26 4/12/2009 |
Yes, they have a great selection. However, when you buy a fish there and the fish is diseased with Columnaris - they like to blame your tank conditions even if your numbers are perfect. What is worse than that? They put the diseased fish back in the original tank because they weren't sure they had Columnaris - even though I brought the dead one back with the cotton in the mouth! The manager thinks Columnaris is an easily cured fungus, and blames me for not having enough salt. Don't buy fish there! Buy their overpriced merchandise instead from their rude staff. They suck. Kevin K. 20:44:03 3/25/2009 |
I just started a saltwater liverock/fish only in a 65 gallon tank. I've done a lot of reading on the internet and have been to several stores in search of information. I've spoken to several different people at this store and all been extremely helpful and very informative. They are great on compatility and they have a great selection. I did go in looking for a one specific fish as I want a little color variety in my tank but they didn't have it that fish. They had a decent look alike but I'm waitng to find the one I want. That's what a hobby is about. I was disapppointed with that but not enough to not keep them as my first source for fish and some supplies. I agree with some things others mentioned like the turn around on rt 9 and the kids up an down the isles. But hey, I started my tank because of my kids so I'm definately bringing them in search of their Nemo and Dory fish. That's just good business to have the kids dragging the parents in to by product. You can't fault a business for that. Mark 07:03:05 2/17/2008 |
I'm new to fishkeeping, but I was really disappointed in this store. Most of the tanks had lots of algae in them. As I said, I'm new to fish, but I hope dirty tanks like this aren't the norm. I found them to be expensive as well. I don't think I'll be back unless there isn't another option. lb 12:18:58 2/21/2007 |
 This store is awful but the real problem is the fact that it is still the best around the area. I also agree the staff is rude and almost seem to dislike their customers. I have been very dissatisfied by the service I have recieved from everyone there except for Kevin, ask for him or youll probably walk out frustrated. The dry good prices are absurd and ridiculously overpriced. I believe in supporting small stores but when a product at tropic isle costs literally twice as much as it would on a site like MarineDepot.com, its hard to justify purchasing anything there. They do have a decent variety but you are really going to pay for it so I reccomend only buying dry goods there in a clutch. The fish are of somewhat decent variety but I have on many occasions seen parasites on the fish. The prices are very inconsistent and not comparible to market value. I feel the owner is the kind of person that is completely willing to screw the common hobbyist out of a dollars wherever possible. I do agree this store is the less of the local evils, but I will only go there in a clutch and when I have no other options. I use MarineDepot.com for dry goods and ReefHotSpot.com for fish. I have been very pleased. I hope this review is helpful. J 17:51:57 8/21/2006 |
| Their fish are generally very good. Customer service is mostly lousy, prices are sky high, and in my experience the staff, although knowledgeable, will ONLY advise you to buy what they have in stock even if the item won't meet your needs. (There is one young guy there who seems to give truly good advice, if you're lucky enough to find him.) In my case, they sold me totally inadequate lights for a planted tank simply because that's what they had. I had to upgrade lighting within a month (I bought online, and shall ever after!) I still give them my business for fish and plants, but I would not buy any hardware from them except in an emergency. |
 Excellent selection of livestock. Dry goods including tanks and stands offer a good selection. Like most said above, some of the staff can be rude and live by the "filter our way or die" rule even though things have changed in the last five to ten years.
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| Pros: Fish are healthy and well cared for. Selection is vast(especially the salt water stock), and is maintained in large, well-filtered tanks. Prices are pretty good. I got a nice Black Trigger for a song. Cons: Access and parking leave alot to be desired. If you are coming from Boston, you have to go past the shop on Rt.9, and do a U-turn about a mile or so farther down and come back. Parking is so-so in a crowded lot. Store looked a bit cluttered and dirty in the merchandise area. Staff is knowledgeable, but RUDE!!! They seem to not want to have anything to do with novices and live by the "Our way of filteration is the only way!!!" When I asked a staffer for some feeder guppies, he rolled his eyes and begrudgingly scooped up a netful. This store has its pros and cons....if you can tolerate gruff staff and just want to go in and pick out a fish....some nice healthy examples await you. |
 Healthy fish and people who know what they are doing. You pay the extra price, but it is worth it. The staff can be a bit rude at times and the store is often filled with running screaming kids. So, go off hours. |
 This one is huge and generally has good prices. More saltwater then anywhere else I have been. Does not carry to many rare fish, but occasionally there are some eric 11:48:30 8/20/2004 |