*Nearly every serious aquarist knows of TPP/TFP from their
mail order business, but a visit to their store in
Lancaster is a pilgrimage worth making. In fact, on
weekends the parking lot is filled with cars from many of
Pennsylvania's neighboring states.
The store itself is the size of a couple of grocery
stores--over 100,000 square feet. The simple,
warehouse-style building holds just about every aquarium
supply made, all at or near the best retail prices
available. The filter section alone is much bigger than
most pet stores. There are display samples of most items
out and available, so the customer can, for instance, see
how easy a filter is to take apart before buying it. At
times the selection can be overwhelming: there are dozens
of models of powerheads, heaters, and filters, and hundreds
of different types of medicines and foods. It made my head
spin to choose from well over a hundred pieces of driftwood
when I bought my last tank. There's also a large selection
of pond supplies.
The clerks can be hard to catch on weekends when the store
is crowded, but are generally helpful. If I have a serious
question, I look for one of the older clerks rather than
one of the part-time school kids. They keep a large supply
of parts in the back of the store, so you need to ask if
you don't see something.
I'm not quite such a great fan of the fish at TPP/TFP.
They do have many hundreds of tanks, but tend to be
pricey. And, while their selection is good in some areas
like saltwater and African cichlids, it's fairly weak in
others like American cichlids. I've also been unimpressed
with the health of many of the fish. A fairly large
proportion of their display tanks are being treated with
medicine at any given time, and mutilated or bullied fish
are common in the tanks with aggressive species. Their
plant selection is extensive and healthy, though.
Overall my recommendation is to make a trip to That Pet
Place/That Fish Place if you possibly can. Buy your fish
elsewhere, but bring a pile of money and a large vehicle to
stock up with all the equipment and supplies that you can
since you'll never find a better selection or overall range
of prices.
Store name:
PetLand
Address:
6520 Carlisle Pike
Mechanicsburg, Pa
Telephone:
717-795-9099
Comments:
PetLand is a chain, but it is a franchise which means the
manager is also the owner. It shows in the fish selection
at this nice little store. Their inventory of supplies and
equipment is moderate and a little pricey. Their
freshwater fish selection, though, is very impressive for
such a small store. They often have large and unusal
species in addition to the usual community tank ones.
Today, for instance, they have at least one large oscar,
jaguar, sevrum, red terror, red devil, arowana, dempsey,
and snakehead. Everything is in good health other than the
ocasional battle wound. All in all, I've found this store
to be the best source for fish in the Harrisburg area.
Comments:
They have a large selection of freshwater and marine aquaria. Also have reptiles, birds,small animals and a wide selection of food and supplies. I think this is one of the best pet stores in the Pittsburgh area. The staff are very knowledgeable and don't use the "selling tactics" found elsewhere. They give buyers lots of information and don't try to push them to buy things they don't need. All of their pets are kept in clean conditions and appear to be very healthy. I have never had a bad experience with them.
Store name:
Wolfinger Tropical Fish Co.
Address:
1413 Elkins Avenue
Levittown, PA 19057
Telephone:
(215)946-6809
Comments:
Has a large selection of fresh and salt water fish. Also has pond
supplies and plants for sale.
Store name:
Elmer's Aquarium & Pet Center
Address:
4005 William Penn Hwy
Monroeville, PA
Telephone:
412-372-6535
Comments:
Good selection of Freshwater and Marine fish as well as live plants.
The staff is always friendly and more than willing to help with advice. They
have a used equipment sale every month. I have picked up several tanks for very
cheap. I recommend you show up early because the good stuff goes fast.
Store name:
Frazer Zoo
Address:
235 Lancaster Ave.
Frazer, PA
Telephone:
800-999-7492
610-644-4492
Comments:
I'm a beginner and found this store to be home out 5 store I visit in
the area. The staff is superior, both guy are very knowledgable about aquariums
and fishes. They take the time to share and speak from there own experience.
There is a well stock gouramis, tetras, cory, barbs and other I havn't learn
yet. I enjoy this store. PS: The staff bring their pets to work, large and
small, friendly dogs.