Elmer's Aquarium — Attraction in Monroeville

I used to really like Elmer's, and the staff are always friendly. If it gets busy (which is often the case in the evenings and on weekends), they use a number system to make sure those requesting service with tanks or other products are served in an orderly fashion; it's a great thing!

I have to edit my review again, although I'm keeping the old information in my review. I've gone back to elmer's recently and they were working hard to remove planaria and hydra from their tanks. I recently bought two shrimp, and while one died, the other is alive and thriving! My snails are all doing well, too, including the baby assassin snail hitchhikers I picked up (see below). Elmer's does always try to be helpful, and I hear them give honest advice to new fishkeepers when I am there.

The most significant down side is with the conditions in the freshwater tanks (I don't have any saltwater tanks, so I can't speak to that). A few of the freshwater tanks have had ongoing issues with planaria and hydra outbreaks for about a year that I've noticed and have since spread to my own tanks after making a purchase, so I won't buy anything out of the freshwater tanks again, even though they might have something I want (like particular shrimp or snails). I've also had major issues with male guppies purchased at the store over the past two years, but not from other local fish stores or even chains like Petco. (Note: male guppies are more sensitive to water quality issues.) I thought the issue was with acclimation or water quality in my tanks, but two years of purchases from Elmer's and other stores by comparison, along with testing my tank parameters at home, and also a friend with the same issue has allowed me to conclude that the fish I've purchased (otos and guppies, mostly) aren't in the greatest condition prior to my purchase from the store. It may not be the store's parameters, either, if they're receiving fish from particular distributors, but based on my experience, I would be cautious about buying live freshwater fish there, and be on the lookout for planaria and hydra in the freshwater tanks, too - you do NOT want to spread those to your own tanks. I should have quarantined all plants, snails, and fish before putting them into my main tanks, but I made the mistake of trusting the store to be taking adequate care of their tanks. I Finally, I breed some snails and made a purchase from a tank with assassin snails in it; when I asked if there was a risk of spreading eggs to my tanks, they said no. Two weeks later, I pulled multiple assassin snail babies from my tanks. I would rather someone say they don't know than get something dead wrong while trying to look 100% informed.

Another few advantages: If you're looking for something rare in your aquarium, you can leave your contact info for a call if/when they get it in. They also carry high quality aquarium products, while some of the local chain stores do not.

Downside, although this is the unfortunate reality of mom and pop stores: many products are available at a lower price online or in chain stores. Someone else claimed unbeatable prices, but I have yet to purchase something at the store that I can't find online or in another...

I am very disappointed and disgusted by their service. I’ve only ever heard good things about this place so we decided to take the 40 min drive up here. I’ve had fish for over 3 years and I care for them very deeply but by no means am I a professional and I can confidently own up to my mistakes but I’ve never once in my years of owning fish had to use any kind of sick treatment or medications. All my fish have been healthy and happy for years. I test the water regularly and care for them as if they were my own dog. I’ve never had any issues until now. I decided to buy 4 fish from here for $50 and I brought them home the first day was fine the next morning I wake up to all my fish covered in ich an over half of them dead. My fish have never had ich prior to this so I was freaking out having a breakdown, I was crying so hard to the point I was hyperventilating. All of the fish I got from here died as well as my fish I’ve owned and enjoyed caring for for years. We called them and they couldn’t even own up or take responsibility. As I’m bawling my eyes out the lady on the phone told us to check my pH and ammonia levels then switched it up after hearing both were good and blamed the ich on the stress but told us they keep their fish stress free. She kept trying to make it our fault. Then she told us to bring in a water sample because strips aren’t accurate and my strip reading was probably wrong. Made me feel like it was all my fault and that it couldn’t possibly be their fault. The more I think about it the more it makes sense why they only offer half credit back because this happens often and they don’t wanna lose money even though they know they’re selling people sick fish. Even then no amount of money is going to bring back my fish. They only give half credit back. So $25. That isn’t going to make up for any of the damage and loss you guys caused me. I will never ever recommend this place or come back here again. I’m aware that they can’t monitor every fish for sickness and accidents are bound to happen but the least they could’ve done is taken some responsibility an apologized to me. I never take time to write reviews but I genuinely just want to possibly help someone else from the same thing happening to them. So PLEASE please beware when buying fish from here. After reading more deep into their reviews I see their fish introducing ich into customers tanks is a...

I bought a stand and canopy here for my 150 gallon tank. So the stand was a Seapora and when I got it home, it had multiple scratches, dents, and general poor craftsmanship. When the tank was set on it, you could see where there is a huge bow in the stand. There is a gap between the stand and the tank. Super irritated about that.

I was also told that there was a canopy here and was going to be able to bring it all home that day. But when I got there, they said they didn't have the canopy. Major annoyance.

So I had to order the canopy. I ordered it on a Saturday and was told it would be there the following Friday. Well come to find out they didn't even place the order until after that Friday came and went, on Tuesday. I needed the canopy asap and was mega annoyed no one communicated anything with me. I called once and was told that it would be there in a few days, and then called again and was told they had just ordered it a few days before??? I was really upset because this place is a two hour drive from me, my husband has cancer and my schedule is very restricted. So the lady on the phone tells me that they have a canopy there already, but it had a small chip in it. OMG are you serious? I was told they didn't have one! So I asked her to tell me about the damage and I found the damage acceptable and repairable.

My husband went down there to get this canopy and barely had any help loading it. He told me he was in agony because he had to do most of it himself. He is a disabled vet and has metastatic cancer in his bones. He drove down there to get this for his children and I guess there was no one else to help despite asking.

I've been in this hobby for 30 years. I've invested tens of thousands of dollars into freshwater tanks and the equipment. I've been all over the country to some of the worst and some of the best stores. I am really upset at the disorganization and unhelpful behavior, not to mention the low quality products sold. Now I am stuck with a stand that I hope will hold up with its warped wood since my tank is on it and isn't getting moved.

Won't...