HOUSE OF TROPICALS (Glen Burnie, MD) - REVIEW

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Tyger
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Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 6:07 pm
Real Name: Michael
Location: Annapolis, MD

HOUSE OF TROPICALS (Glen Burnie, MD) - REVIEW

Post by Tyger »

HOUSE OF TROPICALS (Glen Burnie, MD):

BASIC REVIEW:

Overall, I like the store for several reasons. First, I drive by the store on the way home from the work which lets me stop two-three times a week (by the way great location just off I-97 within minutes of BWI Airport). Second, in terms of animal-life (fauna), they have a great stock of freshwater and saltwater fauna. Third, I have found them to be well staffed, their staff to be willing to help, and several to be very knowledgable especially about salt water and freshwater fish. Fourth, I have found their plant stock is fairly good though they are not equiped to house or sell hi-tech or specialized plants. Fifth, I have found their two owners, Mike and Mark (brothers), while always busy with store business, are friendly, approachable, and almost always available and happy to discuss special orders.

EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES:

Without going crazy, I found they stock most supplies at a reasonable prices and can probably order you anything you want. In addition, I have found that they have a huge stock of standard aquariums including some monster sized aquariums and several smaller rimless aquariums including shrimp kits and stratum (for example, they have in stock the Fluval Ebi Nano Shrimp Habitat Aquarium Kit for $72 & Fluval Flora Planted Aquarium Kit for $99 - both better than Foster & Smith). Recently, I have seen a reef-ready rimless Deep Blue Edge 57 for a really nice price (Deep Blue rimless are designed as reef tanks and come standard w/overflows).

SALTWATER FAUNA:

I cannot speak to saltwater in detail as I have little experience with salt water flora, fauna, or tanks; however, the stock broad and solid including fish, shrimp, clams, morays, slugs, sharks, and rays as well as a live rock and beautiful selection of corals.

FRESHWATER FAUNA:

In terms of their freshwater fish, I can say there stock is excellent and any fish I have asked them to order they have (they will do special orders). I admit I have not asked for anything super rare though I have requested a few challenging items (e.g., celestial pearl danios , hi-fin lyretail swords, tiger hillstream loaches, and true SAEs). When I have ordered, I have found the orders go out with general orders and usually arrive the next week (e.g., orders go out end of the week and fauna tend to arrive Monday-Tuesday). And, with my special orders, they ordered enough to sell in their general stock as well.

Generally speaking, they tend to purchase large lots of a species (18-25+ rather than 2-10). In addition, while I am not an angel, discus, cichlid, or guppy person, they have pretty nice selection of these species. Moreover, they have several very large species of freshwater fish (e.g., gars, angels, rays, and more).

In addition to fish, three kinds of large flower (filter-feeding) shrimp have been in stock from the beginning of my forays (including bamboo/singapore flower, blue, and vampire shrimp). More recently, ornimental dwarf shrimp were added to their stock (i.e., amano, cherry, cyrstal, ghost [feeder], tiger, and, I think I also saw, blue and orange shrimp as well).

*** In truth, House to Tropicals tends to specialize in animal-life (fauna) and their selection is (IMHO) one of the best in Washington-Metropolitian Area and they are willing and able to do special orders. ***

PONDS:

I am no pond expert though they have a fair stock of basic pond supplies including filters, pumps, plastic ponds, koi, and such.

FRESHWATER PLANTS:

In terms of freshwater plants, I would never suggest that they could compete with specialists including members of GWAPA. In truth, House of Tropicals is not geared for specialized plants with hi-tech needs. With that said, I will say that their stock is not so bad and is a good stop for various things some of which include the obvious anacharis and hornwort as well as anubias (afzelii, barteri, coffeefolia, lanceolata (sometimes), nana, and on rare occasion hastifolia), banana plant, dwarf baby tears (HC), cacopa, cambomba (green), dwarf hairgrass, java, ludwiga (glandulosa, ovalis, and repens), moss balls, rotala magenta, sagittaria subulata (just recently), swords (amazon, chain & micro [sometimes], osiris, and I think I saw angustifolia), and vals. On a personal note, I have purchased several beautiful plants from them including Anubias (barteri & nana), Cacopa, Cambomba Green, Ludwigia (Glandulosa & Ovalis), & HC (on lava rock).

With regard to plant stock, I will say that they staff is helpful and, while their knowledge is not bad for general aquarist, it is not expert. As I noted I do not believe they are equiped to stock or house hi-tech and specialized plants. Over the last nine-months in which I have been visiting the store, I have found their plant stock greatly improved; however, on occasion, the stock is dips low or is cleared.

SUMMARY COMMENTS:

In terms of prices, I would suggest that the equipment and supplies stock is fair and competative with any LPS and, and with regard to fauna and plants, are extremely competative w/LPS (often the best). Although I do sometimes need to ask for help, more often than not I am asked, and, regardless, the staff is always ready to help. And, finally, when I have asked for a special order, I have found the owners approachable and willing to entertain any requests. I cannot say with 100% certainty, but I believe one of the owners is always in the store.

In terms of minor issues, I would say the duckweed and snails and these are minor issues. With regard to duckweed, I have had no real problems though once a few got into my tank, which I could have easily picked-out. Instead, I (emphasis on I) chose to let the duckweed grow (ah, what a neebie... live-and-learn)... so that was my fault. With regard to snails, I have seen the staff work to pick-out snails though I suspect the issue is more with their supplier. So, again, it is a minor issue, mainly eggs, but still inspect-clean plants for snails for pond and ramhorn snail free tanks.

In addition, while it is not an issue in plant tanks, a fair number of the tanks housing their fish stock (which are generally bare of live plants) have Black Beard Algae (BBA). With that said, I have used this store to stock most of my fish and have had no major problems. I do have an occasional tuft on an anubias leaf which my true SAEs handle or I snip. And, it is only fair to note that I have brand new to planted tanks... so my tanks are not supplemented with CO2 and I am only dosaging basics... so, I expect, Black Beard Algae (BBA) will clear-up with CO2 and better work on nitrate-phosphates - again more my issue.

IN CLOSING...

All-in-all, I stop in a couple times a week and prefer House of Tropicals to any other local petstore. I also shop at Congressional Aquarium in Rockville which is a good second choice though their prices are much higher (likely due to their overhead costs - Rockville vs Glen Burnie) and their stock of each species is much smaller.

Apparently, PVAS has established a relationship with them and their members get a 10% discount (reference). So, I would venture a guess that they might be willing to work something out with GWAPA.

~Tyger~

House of Tropicals (Website) : Directions
~Tyger (Michael)~
Annapolis, MD
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150EH
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Real Name: Tim Haut
Location: Churchton, MD

Post by 150EH »

This review is not that old but since House of Tropicals has made some changes toward the good. They are carrying a larger selection of fresh water fish above and beyond their normal stocking list, they have a ton of all in one tanks where everything you need comes in the box, from nano size up to 30 gallons or so. They have a fully line of Fluval filters from the smallest to the FX5 plus pads and media for most other brands. They are also stocking Fluval Stratum substrate for shrimp tanks and the othe Fluval substrate that is ADA like and for plants, a line of LED lighting, and a greater variety of odds and ends.

I have been asking one of the employees if there is a new owner or manager and there is not someone is just stepping up their game and I like it, we are getting low on good LFS's in our area.

Oh, the have also cleaned up the place and it has left a positive impression in my mind, all their display tanks have been cleaned and are spotless, unfortunatlely they removed the Rainbow tank from the front of the store and it was my favorite, but all around the store is much cleaner, they do still have some BBA in their sale tanks but it has never been a problem for me or effected my tank.

On my last visit they had a nice selection of Apisto's and 3" x 5" mats od Dwarf Hair Grass with more plants than normal, so if you've been thinking about taking a ride over you may be surprised at their new sense of pride.
Sincerely,
Tim
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FrannyB
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Post by FrannyB »

They also have shrimp tanks set up, but there were no shrimp in any of them.
Francine
Once you go Dutch you can't stop trimming.

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150EH
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Real Name: Tim Haut
Location: Churchton, MD

Post by 150EH »

Franny the have a bunch of I'm guessing Ghost shrimp or something people use for feeders, I hope they start stocking shrimp.
Sincerely,
Tim
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FrannyB
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Post by FrannyB »

They were stocking bees for a while before they moved the shrimp to that acrylic shrimp display they put up.
Francine
Once you go Dutch you can't stop trimming.

http://www.capitalcichlids.org
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