The Mad Reefer

LeAnn Cassidy

2023-11

We were very happy with the care and knowledge we received, even making sure from the beginning to let him know we wouldn't be able to purchase from this store due to a flight. Traveling from Cincinnati and we were interested to see how different fish stores were around here. They weren't much different but the guy we talked to was the best! He answered all of our questions and then some. When he realized we were taking notes, he started repeating the important parts, making sure I didn't miss anything and spelling out the product names. Prices for live rock are much more affordable here. Oh! And they have a huge, goregous display of corals. My picture was only part of 1 out of the about 5 tanks they have.

Chris Faison

2024-03

Mad awkward environment. No one cared to offer help. The just stared awkwardly while holding Covo with others about the randomness of things. I’ll stick to driving to Orlando until we get a good saltwater supply store here in Melbourne. Response to the response: I’m not interrupting peoples personal conversations to ask for help. Plus, how was I suppose to know who the actual employees were? A simple “welcome in” or “let me know if you need any help” would have been great! At any rate. I got what I needed for I’m another place. You all have been around for years and I wish you all continued success!

Brandon Martin

2024-03

Stopped by this place for the first time today and it is awesome! Guy who was there was a lot of help and they had exactly what I wanted. Def recommend this place and I’ll be back for sure.

GERVONDE KENNEDY

2024-04

Always have a great experience going there. The staff is always friendly and helpful with tips and suggestions.

Owen Downer

2023-11

Whenever I visit Melbourne Beach on vacation, I make sure to stop by and grab some corals before I head back home. They seem very knowledgeable and the owner is a cool guy with a great sense of humor.

Maria Pardo

2024-04

Excellent service every single time that I visited and shopped there.

Ronald Thompson

2023-05

Not what I expected at all.Decided to stop in west Melbourne at the Mad Reefer shop on my way back from Miami, was so hoping to grab some coral! However the shopkeepers were the weirdest, most awkward people I had ever met (not like shy, like ‘you are beneath me awkward’). The lady asked if I needed help which I said yea, I have a question. She proceeded to keep walking and continue stocking items, I just stood there like uh?? So when I finally got her attention again I told her I’d like to look at 2 corals in the back tank and I’d like to know their prices. She estimated the 1st one just fine, but when I asked about the plate coral and whether it was the $90 or the $150 one like specified on the glass she said “she’d have to call someone.” I said “okay that’s fine please call.” She then kept reiterating she’d “have to phone someone to find out the price,” (4times) I continued to say “okay, that’s fine please call.” Finally she said, “look if you’re not 100% interested in it I don’t want to call and wake someone up for this.” (Mind you it’s 1pm). I had the most dumbfounded look on my face, the complete rudeness in her tone was nuts. That combined with the whole experience made me go look, I was gonna buy both the plate and the $140 mushroom rock but now, nope not spending my hard earned money here. I have plenty better vendors to buy from, terrible customer service I will NEVER be back! Disappointed is an understatement.

Emily Robbins

2023-05

Watched the team from Mad Reefer clean a large aquarium style fish tank in Cocoa Beach. They were very thorough, professional and mindful of the sea life the entire time they worked. The tank they were working on was filthy and they did an incredible job cleaning the reef, the glass and all the items to keep the ecosystem thriving while looking beautiful for all to admire. I would highly recommend them!

chancey kelley

2023-07

Great place to find unique pieces. Has a good selection. Usually easy to get stuff in when ordered. Shop owner up front about things. Rather it be that way anyways. Usually easy to talk to.

T C

2021-05

This place is awesome! I used to drive to Orlando for good corals until I found this store. Jordan is awesome and very friendly and knowledgeable. I like that she gives you space and time to look at the corals without hovering over you and making you feel rushed. She is is very helpful when you have questions and provides awesome advice on coral placement, flow & lighting.The owner is also a great guy. He took the time to provide me with feedback on one of my corals (not purchased here) that was dying off and his advice absolutely saved it. His knowledge is encyclopedic and he is very willing to share it. He doesn’t try to push you to more expensive corals and instead takes the time to understand what you have and the corals that may compliment them. He is also very honest in his pricing. When I inquired about a coral that wasn’t marked yet, I suggested a price of $700 when making my inquiry. He could have easily said yes, it’s $700 as I had suggested. Instead, and as an example of his ethics, he said I’d love to take that much for it, but I had planned to list it for $500 and wouldn’t charge you more than that. That was all I needed to know about his integrity and ethics and it made me a customer for life!Beyond the corals, they also have an awesome selection of crabs, fish & etc. They even had a very large mantis shrimp, which was very cool to see!In my opinion, if you are looking for a friendly and knowledgeable staff, great prices and an awesome selection, you definitely need to check this place out!

09RMP75

2023-05

From the very first moment I walked into this place I was surprised by the variety of fish. Not even the big stores in Orlando have the selection Mad Reefer offers. In addition to that the sizes of the available fish are bigger than average or what you can find in other stores. And just when I thought I could not get any better than that, the PRICES are incredible. In summary if you want the most competitive selection, great size and lowest prices in the industry that will make you feel like a dummy for going some place else go and visit The Mad Reefer. You will also get that one on one, old school ma and pa shop where you are family type of experience from the owner him self. You will not be just another dale like in the other retailers. Here you will walk out like you made a new friend. You will find anything and everything you need for your saltwater fish hobby, from salt, foods, equipment, I mean everything you need. We need more of these shops back in our society. The Mad Reefer is Definitely one of those very few left retail jewels still available today. I highly recommend it.

Kit Knight

2023-05

The owner is probably the meanest man in Melbourne, FL. I asked about the type of filtration he had for the filtered water he sold at the store. His reaction was cussing and yelling at me, as if I accused him of having substandard filtered water for the marine invertebrate pet trade, which I did not. He said over the phone his water was deionized water, when in fact his water is deionized and reverse osmosis water. When breeding rare and delicate corals, this distinction between water types is critical for proper care. In addition, there are levels of deionized water, such as Type I, Type II, and so on. Yelling at a new customer for asking legitimate questions about the quality of a product is not only unprofessional, it is bad for the industry itself. I suggest to avoid this establishment at all costs.

jeff shetron

2023-06

Went yesterday for the first time, clean environment. Fish selection was small. The only employee I saw was getting upset with a customer, when he changed his mind on a fish she had already put in the plastic container, she aggressivley dumped the fish back in the tank and said she had to walk away. You gotta figure the fish is already stressed but watching her dump it back in we decided to go elsewhere.

Eric Coleman

2018-05

The best saltwater-centric fish store around... No freswater fish or supplies here. But if saltwater is what you are looking for, you will find it.

Brandi Cannell

2021-05

If your looking for a one stop shop for everything saltwater. Look no further, I highly recommended The Mad Reefer. Matt is great and full of knowledge and the best part is that he is willing to share it. I had a sick Yellow tang and no one could or would take the time to figure it out. Well, John did. Honestly the whole team at Mad Reefer is FIVE STARS. Jordan is the sweetest and knows a lot about corals. I highly recommend checking this store out. You won’t be disappointed or price gouged. I’m so happy to have found a store that will support me and my hobby after the sale.

Dillon Young

2022-05

Amazing store!!! Great selection friendly prices!! I came in their with my girlfriend we had a small tank and were looking to get our first corals and they were super helpful!

Mike Chapman

2024-01

Great selection and knowledgeable staff

John Pearce

2021-05

I think I know which person at the store everyone seems to have a problem with. I went in for the first time and was mostly ignored by the woman that was working. She kept talking about just closing and going home even though customers were coming and mostly going.As a response to the owner. I stopped into the store based on all of the positive reviews of the store. I was hesitant due to the negative reviews. I know others who have shopped there with similar responses to the one my wife and I had. I asked about a few of the fish and discussed with my wife about what we wanted. We eventually decided on corals instead of fish. I asked about getting a couple pieces of the cheaper coral and started to discuss what we had in our tank when the young lady sat back in her chair and started reading her book. My wife commented that she seemed to be ignoring us so we left. I went out of my way to go to your shop.

Daniel Carino

2022-05

Not for the inquisitive shopper. Asked a few questions to verify the habit and behavior of a few different species— was not only wrong, but super wrong. Lighting and bottom conditions of many of the fish only tanks were very poor (if not complete darkness) - certainly not encouraging stressless transitions from supplier to tank. Finally, many many, pricing inconsistencies from tank to tank — X fish is 25 here & X fish is 36 here.Wishing the best for every local business; this is one that did not earn my money.Great reef tank - would have benefited from a “do you have any questions” customer service moment.All the best.

Amanda Rae Jean

2021-05

Mad reefer is one of two places I go for my fish tank needs. I don't like going anywhere else in the area mostly because the owners are down to earth, professional, and care about their customers. The last time I went in there, John the owner must of had about 9 people there, all patiently waiting their turn, because that's what normal customers do. He was clearly busy, we all understood he was doing the best he can to get us all out quickly and he did just that! I hate seeing such sour reviews from people who don't know these two owners and how hard they work to provide the coral, and live aquaria they do. So i just wanted to say Thank you for all the hard work you guys put in, it is truly appreciated!

Sam Shannon

2022-05

Good selection of coral, and it changes every time I'm there. Love the variety

KR

2021-05

Yes!Just relocated to Merritt Island and have been visiting every local store for miles!This was the very first store with happy fish in clean aquariums that I've seen.The staff member was friendly AND helpful. They also carry a variety of Brightwell Aquatics products which my tank loves. I was so happy to find a local shop that practices safe husbandry and who obviously care about this hobby. I will definitely be back!

Pamela Citowitz

2023-12

Best prices around and always very helpful

Kooky Bean

2022-05

We went on a Saturday and it was extremely busy (not a very large place) and so we left. Went back a week later and it was empty so we got to speak to someone. They were extremely knowledgeable and very friendly! Their selection is great and so are the prices! We will definitely be going back!

Felix Diaz

2020-05

Last night went here for the first time and had a great experience, spoke to the Gentlemen with the long hair he was very informative very welcoming the place is great. I even bought salt water and R/O water. BUT,I went there today there was this lady that at first i just thought she was letting my wife and i take a look around and never approached us about anything, so i went over to say hello and asked for a water test she does the test and i was really catching a vibe that she didn't want us there until we said we were there for just the test because last night my Scopes Tang died.Well she went on stating we should purchase a test kit and showed us a few and i said well i cant right now but will get one eventually. She then said “you know its not our job to test your water” with this attitude. She seemed to not want us in the store from the beginning when she ignored us until i said hello. She was helping another customer who was clearly american and ignored us. It felt very discriminating. Ive never had to deal with feeling discriminated against because of my race until today. Im never spending money there again.

Ashton Dankanich

2020-05

One of my favorite fish stores. Not overpriced like some of the other local stores. Great for new and experienced hobbyists. Will educate you rather than just sell you anything! Really happy with everything we have bought here.

David Garrett

2021-05

Highly recommend! These guys know fish and aquariums: had them move a 60 gallon from Satellite Beach, FL an hour south. Lots of fish, rock, live plants, etc. and they did it right from A to Z. Trustworthy, knowledgeable, and efficient. Thanks a million for great service--all my fish are happy in their new location!

Janet Troehler

2020-05

Love John and the Mad Reefer! We have a 55 gallon salt water tank and go there for almost all our supplies and fish. He is knowledgeable and tells us which fish will work for our size tank and most likely get along. And he doesn't always try to sell us the most expensive fish he has!

Nick

2021-05

AWESOME CORALS & HEALTHY FISH!!! This is the BEST LFS around. I’ve been into saltwater tanks for 10 years and this is the first time I have felt supported after the sale. When you spend the kind of money this hobby requires you want it to be spent with people you can trust. Any store can sell you anything but to support you after you spent your hard earned money is everything!!! I highly recommend The Mad reefer to any saltwater hobbyist. FIVE STARS FOR SURE!!!!! You won’t be disappointed.

Robert Frederick

2021-05

Thank u john and jordan for always treating like family threw all the years . I know I have came in there with some very hard headed questions and situations. You guys always provide a great shopping and general friend experience . Anyone who says different is either making things up or it was a simple misunderstanding. You guys are an asset to the reefing community and we appreciate it