Aquarium Arts — Attraction in Mesa

If you're new to the world of aquariums and fish-keeping this is definitely the place to go. The staff are very helpful. They take the time to explain aquafiums to you and ensure that you are informed, rather than spend time pushing products. For example, on my first visit, I had a tank already and came in looking to get some fish. They took the time to explain the nitrogen cycle and how to set up a tank. They explained that the safe way would be to tank cycle thewith no fish. If they had told me I needed X or Y products to do that I would have bought them. However, they explained how I could do this with what I had at home. This showed me that they care about helping their customers rather than pushing products. When I had questions about products, they were knowledgeable and specified which were necessary to keeping a healthy tank. They also mentioned ones that would make it easier if I wanted to spend the money on them. When it came time to add fish (I cycled with fish), the staff were very helpful and recommended the right substrate and plants to make the fish as happy as possible. I've been back about 4 times in the last 2 months and have always been helped. Even when I was approached by newer staff who were not as knowledgeable, they weren't afraid to ask another staff member who knew more to make sure they were giving correct information. At one visit I purchased fish that werent correct for the setup I was running. Not wanting to give the fish an unfit home, I contacted them, and they offered to re-stock the fish and work to find a better fit for what I needed. Chris, who I believe is the manager/owner, was very helpful when I came to the store with these fish, and was helpful and quick to recommend better fish.

All in all, they really care about the fish and the customers. They are good enough that I'm willing to make an hour long drive to go there and get help, check out their changing stock of live plants, and see what new fish they have in. It's worth noting that they do water tests if you bring it in.

If you're looking to start a tank, call ahead and see if Ian is in. He is one of the very knowledgeable and helpful staff members. He helped me choose a great tank setup that has kept my fish happy and healthy...

This is my review as someone who isn’t very deep in the fish tank hobby, but my partner is.

I’ve been to pretty much all the major fish stores in the East and Central Valley. Discount, Kona, The Ocean Floor, OnlyFins, Reef Monsters, I could go on. I have had the misfortune of coming here a handful of times, and every time has been beyond disappointing. Not only are there the classic inconvenient issues like overpriced livestock and supplies, standoffish employees, crammed aisles and the stench of smelly/uncleaned fish tanks, but every single fish we’ve gotten from here is sickly. They look underfed and the tanks are overstocked, or fish are kept in invertebrate areas that are FILLED with invasive pest species (a skinny goby was literally living surrounded by massive clusters of aptasia coated in diatoms. it takes months of neglect for that to happen). We’ve witnessed a smaller puffer fish being harassed and nipped at by larger fish and very obviously injured and tired, and after informing an employee of the situation, we were scoffed at and the puffer (who was floating along the top of the water, barely moving) was haphazardly tossed into the tank next door. While viewing coral that we might want to add to our nano reef, we witnessed an employee scraping bubble algae off and when we said we’re really not interested in introducing that into the environment, we were told that “it’s inevitable” and that every tank gets it. We also called the store once, looking to buy a Fairy Wrasse because they had some in stock a while back, and were rudely informed that Fairy Wrasse aren’t even a real fish and that they’ve never had them in their store before. So after coming back to this place every year or so to see if it’s gotten any better or maybe under new management, it has still found a way to be continuously unremarkable and increasingly neglectful. Don’t come here if you’re not interested in wasting money and if you care about the wellbeing of living creatures, no matter how...

It's been 6 years since I wrote my original review and I still love, love, LOVE Aquarium Arts! The only thing I would say is that, due to each person being given as much individual attention as that person needs, you sometimes have to be patient. I've been there when there we six or seven employees and you still just needed to give them time. Here's a couple of suggestions to make your time there more enjoyable...First, write yourself a small list of why you are there. Otherwise, you'll be like a kid in a cany shop and forget things. Second, walk around and enjoy seeing their unique saltwater AND freshwater choices! You'll find some kinds you wouldn't have thought of. They even have South American puffers which are known as the only true friendly f/w puffers. These are really hard to come by. Third, when you are really ready for their assistance, just let them know, and as soon as they are done giving their undivided attention to the person before (or if there is another employee who is free) they are more than happy to do the same for you. These guys are still as trustworthy and very knowledgeable as they were when I started coming to them over 12 years ago. I have learned more about aquariums maintenence and keeping different kinds of fish healthy and happy than from anywhere else. In athe past, I had bought many of my fish and supplies here. They stand by their fish and have given me so much help. A little over a year ago, I had to shut down my aquarium because of my husband's expat assignment. Now that I am back, I will be starting up a new one and visiting these guys every chance I get until it is all set. I've sent friends there who have set up their aquariums and for supplies. They also had nothing but good...