River and Reef Aquatics Introduce
For many of us in North Carolina, the world of aquatics offers a unique and calming hobby. Whether you're a seasoned marine biologist in your own living room or just starting to consider a small desktop tank, finding the right place for supplies, livestock, and most importantly, expert advice, is essential. River and Reef Aquatics in Statesville, NC, is a small business that aims to be that local hub for all things aquatic. Specializing as an aquarium shop, they cater to both the vibrant and complex world of saltwater reefs and the tranquil beauty of freshwater setups. This store is more than just a retail space; it's a place where enthusiasts can connect and learn from knowledgeable staff who share their passion.
The journey of setting up and maintaining an aquarium can be complex, and having a reliable local resource is invaluable. River and Reef Aquatics positions itself as a partner in this journey, offering not just products but a wealth of knowledge to help you succeed. They understand that every tank is a miniature ecosystem and that proper care and planning are key. This is particularly crucial for those new to the hobby, who often have many questions about water quality, filtration, and what types of fish can coexist. The team is dedicated to providing client education, patiently answering questions and guiding you through the process. Their commitment to helping customers, from beginners to advanced hobbyists, is a core part of their mission and a reason why many in the Statesville area turn to them for their aquatic needs.
River and Reef Aquatics is conveniently located at 228 Signal Hill Dr, Statesville, NC 28625, USA. This location is easily accessible for residents of Statesville and those traveling from nearby cities in North Carolina. The shop's accessibility is further enhanced by its services and physical features. For those who prefer a quick visit, the shop is designed to allow for an efficient shopping experience, making it easy to pop in for supplies without a long wait. The store offers practical service options like curbside pickup and delivery, which are particularly useful for bulky items like tanks or heavy bags of substrate. The business is also committed to physical accessibility, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and a wheelchair-accessible parking lot, ensuring that all community members can visit the store with ease. This focus on convenience and inclusivity makes the shop a welcoming destination for all aquatic enthusiasts.
Services offered include:
- Livestock Sales: A selection of saltwater fish, freshwater fish, and invertebrates.
- Aquarium Supplies: A wide range of products for setting up and maintaining both saltwater and freshwater tanks.
- Custom Aquarium Solutions: Assistance with planning and potentially ordering custom tanks to fit your specific needs and space.
- Water Quality Testing: Expert advice on maintaining ideal water parameters for your aquatic pets.
- Client Education: Patient and thorough guidance on all aspects of the aquarium hobby, from a new tank setup to advanced reef care.
A primary highlight of River and Reef Aquatics is the dedication and knowledge of its staff. As noted by a satisfied customer, the team, particularly a staff member named Vinnie, is praised for being "the absolute biggest help" for someone starting a saltwater tank from scratch. The staff's willingness to spend time talking to and educating customers is a significant feature that sets them apart. They provide a wealth of knowledge on various aspects of marine and freshwater tanks, from water quality and stocking to future custom tank plans. This patient and thorough approach to client education is invaluable, especially for those new to the hobby or looking to troubleshoot a specific issue. The staff's enthusiasm and passion for the hobby create a positive and supportive environment for learning.
Another important feature of this small business is its commitment to inclusivity. The store identifies as an LGBTQ+ friendly and transgender safe space, making it a welcoming and safe environment for all members of the community. This dedication to creating an inclusive atmosphere is a strong reason for people to choose to support this local business. Additionally, the store is known for its quick visit planning, which is ideal for busy individuals who need to pick up essential supplies efficiently. They also offer flexible payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, making transactions convenient and hassle-free. The recent customer review also mentioned that the store is undergoing a remodel, indicating a commitment to improving the customer experience and the health of their aquatic livestock displays.
To connect with River and Reef Aquatics for any inquiries or to check on their current stock, you can use the following information:
- Address: 228 Signal Hill Dr, Statesville, NC 28625, USA
- Phone: (704) 380-4244
- Mobile Phone: +1 704-380-4244
Choosing where to buy your aquatic supplies and livestock is a decision that can significantly impact the success of your tank. River and Reef Aquatics is worth choosing for its knowledgeable and patient staff who are genuinely passionate about the hobby. While a previous review did raise concerns about tank cleanliness and livestock health, a more recent review offers a contrasting perspective, praising the staff's dedication and stating that the fish are "well cared for and in great health." This suggests that any past issues may have been temporary and that the business is actively working to improve its conditions, potentially as part of their remodel. The commitment to client education, as evidenced by a customer's positive experience with getting a saltwater tank started from scratch, is a huge reason to visit. They provide the guidance and support needed to turn a complex hobby into a rewarding experience. Furthermore, by choosing this business, you are supporting a local, small business that is a safe and inclusive space for all members of the North Carolina community. The combination of expert advice, a positive atmosphere, and a variety of services makes River and Reef Aquatics a place worth visiting for anyone serious about their aquatic hobby.
River and Reef Aquatics Details
From the business
- Small business
Service options
- Curbside pickup
- Delivery
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
River and Reef Aquatics Photos
River and Reef Aquatics Location
River and Reef Aquatics
228 Signal Hill Dr, Statesville, NC 28625, USA
River and Reef Aquatics Reviews
tankpricessaltwater fishselectionplantsfreshwatercoralshealthydiatomaiptasia
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Super nice people who are very attentive but the store lacked a lot of care that should’ve been taken especially on the saltwater side. I’m hoping that they were only dealing with some recent issues that are now corrected but the tanks had severe algae issues with both cyano, hair, and diatom problems and an overabundance of bristle worm and Aiptasia anemones all over the live rocks. The tanks looked as though they had not been serviced in months and the amount of dead fish and invertebrates in the tanks was staggering. My trust in management of this store is very low and I cannot recommend this place to anyone at this time. Generally, the freshwater tanks looked a little better but not much. The betta tanks at the front of the store were so dirty that you couldn’t see the fish inside and they looked sick and pained to be in there. The store should be closed for a week and made to be cleaned from top to bottom. I’m really surprised too since generally the reviews here were fairly enticing. Enough that we made the hour and a half trip there to see what they had. Felt pretty bad going all that way to not buy something so I opted for two small inverts that wouldn’t likely bring anything bad home to my tank. Quarantined them and treated them before going in the main tank to make sure they were good and luckily everything has been fine. I’m not saying that I won’t go back, but it’s going to have to be for something more worthwhile than solely this store unfortunately. There are a lot better options not terribly far from there in Charlotte and Greensboro, I’d suggest any of those before this place.
March 21 · Ian BaileyI have been here probably 5 or 6 times in the past month since moving to Statesville. Vinnie, has been the absolute biggest help in getting me up and going with my saltwater tank. I’ve had one in the past as a kid but I’ve never started one from scratch and done it on my own. The time that both of the guys have spent talking to me and educating me on all the various aspects of a marine tank has been a lot. From water quality, to stocking, to potentially having a custom tank made in the future they have answered *all* of my questions and concerns and even offered to order specific fish for me when the time comes. I sincerely cannot wait to see what they have in store after the remodel gets completed. Thank you all so much for your patience and wealth of knowledge. All of the fish are well cared for and in great health. There’s always a good selection, even with the remodel going on! I’d highly recommend to check them out.
September 13 · Ryan HolcombI LOVE going to this store. The 2 workers they have are VERY friendly and love what they do. The tanks are a little bare RIGHT NOW, but they’re going to be upgrading and making the experience better for US, the customers.I’ve bought 6-7 fish with NO REGRETS or no sickness. I’ve bought plants. I’ve bought recommended fish when they didn’t have what I actually wanted in stock and have not looked back since! This is the only store that I will even consider going to! They can order what you want. They have the sweetest pups to greet you. This is honestly the best local owned shop you can go to. Point Blank LOVELY! Thank you guys for all you do😜
March 22 · Katie McGlamery (Katie Lynn Chatham)Absolutely the best place I've been. I recently had a fish pass and I went here to get a new one after reading reviews. I'm so glad I went. Got 8 beautiful fish, a tank and learned a lot more about how to make it a good home for them. Definitely making this place my go to for anything for my aquatic babies.
December 07 · Gabe MartinI have purchased many items from this store, never had an issue with any fish, filters, food, and even a tank or two, i’ve purchased a handful of odd ball fish including, axolotls, mudskippers, beautiful designer clownfish. put simply, a great place to shop if you want to be treated like a friend and not just a shopper. deserve 5 stars every visit
March 26 · Jackson Johnston
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