Sunken Ship Aquatics — Local services in Caldwell

Unwilling to Honor Their Own Guarantee – Buyer Beware

I purchased two axolotls from Sunken Ship Aquatics on August 21, 2025. Before buying, I specifically asked if two axolotls could safely be kept together in a 30-gallon tank. The staff assured me this was safe and helped me select two of similar size. Unfortunately, one of them died within 48 hours.

I immediately returned the animal with my receipt and two water samples, exactly as required by their written 3-day live animal guarantee. My water tested at 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and around 5–10 nitrate — results the staff confirmed were suitable and non-harmful.

Despite meeting every condition listed on their guarantee, the owner refused to honor it. He claimed the policy only covers the animal’s “health at the time of sale” and added new exclusions (like “trauma” or “aggression”) that were never mentioned in the written policy. He even redefined “suitable water” to mean zero nitrates, which is not realistic for any cycled tank and contradicts what their staff told me just days earlier.

In short, the store changed the terms of their guarantee after the fact to avoid honoring it. This was extremely disappointing, especially considering I followed every instruction they gave.

I would strongly caution other customers to get everything in writing and be aware that this business may not stand behind its own policies.

“The presence of nitrate indicates that the bacteria are performing properly and the tank is cycling.” — FritzZyme Live Nitrifying Bacteria User Guide “After your tank is fully cycled, it is important to perform weekly water changes in order to keep your nitrate level below 20 ppm at all times.” Axolotl Central It also notes: “A fully cycled aquarium would never have as low as 0 ppm nitrate … 0 ppm nitrate indicates that the aquarium is not cycled.” - Axolotl...

Beautiful store, spent nearly $400 there on lighting, UV filter, rocks, couple of ciclids and other miscellaneous. Nice to have a store in Caldwell, pricey as it may be. Although, regardless of the reasoning, when I buy a medication just to find out it isn't needed and I bring it right back for a little $18 refund or in-store credit and I am told, eventhough it just sat on my counter, unused, still sealed, that I may have contaminated it, I have a huge problem with that, especially when I spent that kind of money the last month. So I will not be back. AS TO THE COMMENT BY THE OWNER BELOW. There is no danger to the customer or "fish freinds" by taking back a perfectly good $18 bottle of medicine that's still safety sealed, the shipper of the product could contaminate it just as easy, but if my fish died if I used it they would blame it on me anyway so what does it matter. Both Petsmart and Petco have 60 day return policies on items like this, like most other stores!! IF THEY REALLY CARED ABOUT THE CUSTOMER, they would at least inform the customer of this policy before they let them purchase. There is not one sign in that store stating a no return policy. I even had my wife to walk through to double check. Or did the sales person inform me of that policy. Now I'm stuck with an item that I don't really need and it will just lay around and expire. The owner just cares more about the safety of his "bottom line" not his customers or fish freinds like he says. I just got screwed out of $18, now there's a "sunken ship". Thanks guys!!...

Strategically placed and beautifully designed, this storefront has an amazing approach to both beginners and experts alike (as well as everyone else in between)! There is not another fish store in this valley, and debatably within the PNW and West itself, that holds such a strong business identity, or carries such a passion for the overall knowledge and health of the creatures leaving the store, or strives for being a leader within the realm of what it stands for.

If staff is unsure on something, they will do their best to find an answer and get back to you. The owners work hard to respond to the many questions and desires from customers via email, phone and in person, paying attention to the many details that make customers happy, eager to participate and willing to visit again. You can tell upon entering the deck of Sunken Ship Aquatics that the customers themselves are excited about what they see, what they are experiencing, and what may come next.

An exciting adventure awaits those who choose to set their sights on this place; and it’s amazing to witness the continued growth of the business and its reach into the community! Way to go Captain! Keep ‘er Shipshape and...