New fish store in Rio Rancho
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 16:08
Riverside Aquarium just opened this week in Rio Rancho - it's a WHOLE STORE devoted to the freshwater aquarium hobby (owned by the same people who run Southwest Reef). The fish inventory is still pretty light since they've only been open for 3 days, but they have a good selection of aquarium supplies. Lots of chemicals and such that Petco and PetsMart don't carry. The phone number is 994-1505 and the address is 4020 Peggy Rd SE, suite H. You turn east on Peggy Road from 528 (by the McDonalds) and then turn right on Jackie Rd and the store is on your right (address is Peggy Rd but store actually faces Jackie Rd). They are open 7 days a week M-Th 10-6, F 11-7, Sa 10-6, Su 11-4. Just thought I'd pass on the news - Yea! A store on the Westside!
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 17:34
#2
Anyone been in yet? I would love to know if they sell plants. Thanks!
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 18:11
#3
This is fantastic news! Thanks for letting us know. I'll have to get over there soon.
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 19:43
#4
Yes, they had a couple aquariums with just plants. I saw some swords and wisteria I think - if you're looking for something specific you might want to call first. Looked healthier than the stuff at Petco, that's for sure.
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 21:02
#5
Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it. That place is like the other side of the world for me, but it may be worth it. If it's the same people from Southwest Reef I have dealt with before they are awesome.
Again, thanks for letting us know!
Mon, 07/05/2010 - 09:51
#6
Always good to hear there are more choices in the ABQ. I plan to check it out tonight and will report back.
Hope everyone had a good 4th of July.
Greg
Mon, 07/05/2010 - 09:56
#7
That's really exciting! May even be worth a trip from Mora! Thanks for the news.
Tue, 07/06/2010 - 15:22
#8
I stopped by Riverside Aquarium last night. Nice store that is set up similarly to Southwest Reef. The staff seem to be very friendly and eager to help customers. Most of their tanks were empty, but they said they would be getting lots of fish in on Wednesday. As for plants, they already have an impressive array that all look very healthy. Will be well worth the visit once they get stocked up.
Greg
Tue, 07/06/2010 - 20:08
#9
Thanks for letting us know Greg, I will need to get out there this weekend maybe.
Sat, 07/17/2010 - 20:51
#10
An update on Riverside Aquarium. I stopped by today and their fish stock is becoming impressive. The quality of the fish seems to be top-notch, with some beautifully colored German Rams for $6 and some interesting puffers for sale not usually seen in ABQ (saddle back puffers Takifugu ocellatus and a fahaka puffer). As I think I mentioned before, they have some of the healthiest plants that I have ever seen in any fish store. Well worth the visit now that their stock is established. As for live foods, they also have black worms, ghost shrimp, guppies, and brine shrimp for sale at reasonable prices. It may be a bit premature to say, but I think they will easily become the premier aquarium store in ABQ...
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 10:57
#11
Is it worth a 40 min drive? I just checked the address and it is about 20 miles from me. Does anyone know if they have a website? I would love to be able to check the stock list and then only have to go once. That is a quite a drive just to "browse". Or I am just lazy, one of the two 
Thanks again for the update Lostcrow...did you happen to ask about them taking fish from local breeders?
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 11:46
#12
I know they have a facebook page, but I'm not sure if they have a website or not. I went the Thursday after they got a large shipment of fish and it's looking good so far. Their prices really surprised me; fish that stores like Clark's rarely have were relatively inexpensive.
Their tanks had very little cover, however, which encouraged some fish to hide in the corners or underneath the filters. I figured this was only temporary and over time they would add more rocks and plants etc to their sale tanks.
I talked briefly about selling some of my fish, but they said they wouldn't be interested for a while. I didn't ask about taking fish on donation though, which I think I should have...
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 12:05
#13
Yeah I noticed the bareness of the tanks too. Their prices are fairly reasonable, especially compared to Clarks, and even compared to online sites like LiveAquaria and ThatFishPlace.com. Some of the fish prices at Clarks, like for Rams, could only be described as laughable ($20 for a Golden Ram!). That and I frequently see fish with Ich in Clarks. I've talked with both the owner and the manager at Riverside and both seem really nice and knowledgeable. It's about time we got a quality freshwater store here.
As for your fish, if you want to get rid of some, I think you might be better off posting them on the Trading Forum here. There is better chance that you will get a decent price for them and they will go to a good home.
greg
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 15:46
#14
Thanks guys, I appreciate you letting us know. I will see if they will post something to their Facebook pages regarding their current stock list.
Thu, 10/21/2010 - 22:04
#15
I am a bit behind, but I finally got a chance to visit the store and was very impressed. This is exactly what I have been looking for, a fish specific store that is fresh instead of salt.
Sat, 11/06/2010 - 20:09
#16
Glad I ran into this thread (and this forum). I checked out the store this afternoon. They have quite a bit of stock and even some plants. All the tanks looked nice an clean too. Picked up a piece or wood for my 20L I've been neglecting.
Sun, 11/07/2010 - 09:01
#17
Welcome to the forum Vmax
Sun, 11/07/2010 - 20:37
#18
What fish do you keep Vmax? Good you could join.
Sun, 11/07/2010 - 22:38
#19
Hi Dennis, I just started a new topic for my intro and fish-keeping history. I'll leave this thread dedicated to Riverside Aquarium.
Wed, 03/23/2011 - 22:22
#20
I am headed to Albuquerque this weekend (March 26). I am going to check out Riverside Aquarium. Anything else I should look at while I am there?
Wed, 03/23/2011 - 23:32
#21
Hi,
Is there a way to have each new post appear on top instead of at the bottom of the post?
DGS wrote:
I am headed to Albuquerque this weekend (March 26). I am going to check out Riverside Aquarium. Anything else I should look at while I am there?
So Dennis ... where are you headed in from?
The shop is clean ... no rats, mice guinea pigs, snakes, puppies, cats ..... a real TROPICAL FISH STORE!!
Riverside carries brown worms, get some while you are there.
Joe... in Cedar Crest
Thu, 03/24/2011 - 08:01
#22
Dennis,
The city Aquarium is fairly nice for a city this size if you haven't seen it. Otherwise ABQ doesn't have much.
Joe,
There isn't a way in the current configuration to change it. I might be able to change it at a global level. Would people find that better? I'm afraid I'm more used to seeing forums this way and I'm concerned it would be confusing to see the last message first (unlike email).
Samuel
Thu, 03/24/2011 - 17:43
#23
In the upper right hand corner it says [last post]. Click on that and if there are more than 1 new posts scroll up after you click on [last post]. It is the fastest way I know. lol
Thu, 03/24/2011 - 18:06
#24
I am from Roswell and we get up to Alb. off and on. Have not been there since last summer. We like visiting the Alb. Aquarium. Its good. I always take fish boxes with me in the hopes I find something I cannot live without. When you are from small town and Petco or Walmart are your only fish stores then Alb. has a lot to offer.
When we went to Mich. last summer they had a lots of Mom & Pop fish stores with only fish. Clean, every store I saw was spotless, no dead fish or water stains on the glass or floor. It made you want to buy. Also, most of the fish were young, there were a few adults but not many.
Thu, 03/31/2011 - 21:49
#25
I visited Riverside Aquarium this afternoon. I am impressed! Robert was very helpful and a pleasure to talk to. He gave me great advice about why ceratin plants don't do as well as others. I will be back for a few fish as soon as the changes to my tank settle down.
If you have the time, the store is worth a visit. The tanks are very clean, the store is neat, and like I already mentioned, Robert is easy to talk to.
It looks like I found my LFS!
Steve
Thu, 03/31/2011 - 21:51
#26
They do sell plants.
Sat, 04/02/2011 - 21:43
#27
Went to Albu. this last week end, stopped at Fins n Critters, Clark's ( both stores ), Riverside Aquarium and Southwest Reef Co.
Fins n Critters had better get to work or they will not last long. Did not stay long.
Clark's has too many dead fish and unclean tanks. I also noticed 2 tanks with ICK and no quarantine sign. They also mix fish of different species or strains that can interbreed, so you do not know if you are getting a pure strain. Be sure you know what you are buying and quarantine your fish when you get them home.
Riverside Aquarium and Southwest Reef Co. are sister companies. They both have clean shops and they are easy to talk to. Riverside Aquarium is far from Albu. but it is worth the trip to buy good quality fish. I bought 2 Assissin Snails and 5 Madagascar Rainbowfish.
Mon, 04/04/2011 - 07:54
#28
Dennis, Fins and Critters has been like that for at least 6 years (the first time I visited). I think they changed owners recently, so I was hoping things would look up, but it sounds like a familiar story.
Clark's can be hit or miss. They have a few employees that know what they're doing, but seem overworked or for whatever reason don't do enough maintainance. I have noticed the mixing of species you mention though.
This is the reason that I was ready to despair that we'd ever have a decent shop in town.
It is weird, I've noticed other parts of the country with similar populations seem to have a lot more fish shops. No idea why we can't sustain them here. Hopefully Riverside makes it. Everyone should make sure to patronize them when you can.
Sun, 04/10/2011 - 07:45
#29
I know this is going to sound lazy, but I wish Riverside would post their stock list so those of us out here on the opposite end of town could know what they had before making the trek down there. I may make that suggestion on their Facebook site.
Also, has anyone seen whether they sell shrimp down there? I am really wanting to setup a shrimp only tank, but all my online dealers seem to be going out of business. Thanks for the info!
Sun, 04/10/2011 - 11:01
#30
I travel to Riverside from Cedar Crest to buy black worms which come in with their fish orders. I'm sure Robb would order anything you want if it's available.
Have you checked their strictly saltwater ABQ store or are you talking freshwater shrimp?
Joe
Sun, 04/10/2011 - 13:54
#31
That is good to know. I was referring to Freshwater Shrimp in my post.
Tue, 04/12/2011 - 20:40
#32
This has nothing to do with Riverside Aquarium but I thought this would be a good place for the post. Went to Clovis this last weekend and found a fish store " Al's Pets " 522 W. 21st street. They have your standard freshwater fish and a good slection of saltwater fish. What caught my eye were the tanks, they have store stock tanks with holes already drilled and in a series of 4 tanks. I have never seen these for sale except wholesale. I was in a rush so I did not get to price or size them, next time I go back I will find out how much. I think they are good for someone who wants several small tanks without a lots of filters, pumps, lights, space and time. If you ever in Clovis check the store.
Tue, 04/19/2011 - 16:42
#33
That's cool Dennis. I had a setup like this in college for a while. My brother worked at a Petsmart and bought a bunch of their drilled tanks in a closeout (I think around $15/tank for 20 gallons). We also got a few drilled acrylic 7 foot long display tanks that only had a 1 foot cross-section square. We set those up 3 high with the water flowing through from top to bottom. Fun times.
BTW - I went by Riverside today. All the tanks are very clean and neat looking and they carry New Life Spectrum! So I don't have to order online anymore
Fri, 08/26/2011 - 09:54
#34
Just Thought you guys should know...Riverside Aquarium is no more, that didnt last long huh. I have not seen a fish only store last very long here on the westside for many years...oh well it was worth a try for them right?
DGS