Coastal Reef

Shie

2024-05

Coastal reef has quickly become my favorite store to visit in Wilmington! Being new to the hobby, the staff has been wonderful and incredibly knowledgeable! Wanda and Steve (and all the other staff) are the best!! I could not recommend them enough.

Kelly Howard

2023-10

Coastal Reef is by far the best salt water aquarium store that I have been to. They are so knowledgeable and helpful. They helped us rebuild after tragedy and heartbreak caused by a former local salt water aquarium store.Throughout our ups and downs of rebuilding, Wanda and Steve were never afraid to be honest with us, and they were always willing to help us research any solutions and advice that they didn’t know. Thanks to them we have three beautiful, flourishing tanks that are filled with beautiful healthy fish and corals!Steve and Wanda always go above and beyond to make us feel like friends. They even remember the ridiculous names that I give my fish 🤪Thank you guys; Wilmington is so luck to have you!!! Thank you for everything that you continue to do for us.

Patti Henderson

2023-08

My husband and I were setting up a new freshwater aquarium and even though the store is a saltwater store, Stephen in particular spent a lot of time with us and ultimately helped us order fish for our tank. They were patient, extremely helpful and kind. See our new tank here. Oh and the rocks came from Coastal Reef too!Thanks, Stephen and staff

Jen Boughton

2023-05

Best LFS in the area EVER!!! We are newly returning to the hobby after a long hiatus and feel so fortunate to have Coastal Reef (and the owners) in our town. There have been several stores in Wilmington that have come and gone and none compare to Coastal Reef. The owners are always kind, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The store is well stocked and full of HEALTHY livestock. Don’t have it, no problem, the can find and order most things for you. The store has been growing gradually and has amazing displays. It’s difficult walking out without a new piece for the tank! They have salt and RO water for purchase, do water testing (rather helpful especially during the start up process), and have been helpful identifying the crazy algae issues we’ve delt with in the “ugly phase”. Thank you Coastal Reef for supporting your community!!!

Sandie B.

2024-01

This place is top notch!! The staff (Wanda) is very knowledgeable and helpful. All tanks for corals and fish were clean and well taken care of. They will definitely have my future fishy business!!

Jennifer Pemp

2023-05

Love this place and love the owners. They have helped my partner and I tremendously in getting up and going in this hobby. They’ve been knowledgeable, unbelievably fair, kind and caring, and supportive as we’ve previously dumped $ and made some mistakes from listening to poor advice from others we thought to be knowledgeable.

Tyler

2024-02

Funny because I've been in your store several times with mr heera on top of you told me face to face you don't like that guy. so for u to say he's never been there is a lie. On top of all your employees not one I said all are disrespectful to customers. The lady I talked to last night about snails for my tank was absolutely rude and nasty. I would suggest shopping else where for your sal water needs

Steven Corbin

2023-11

Started my first saltwater aquarium and I went here. They were patient and super informative. Explaining everything to me and helping me through the process. I messed up on something but they were quick to know exactly what happened and explained to me how to correct it. They’ve been great and honestly the best store to go to!

Travis

2023-07

Been coming here for years with mixed results. It was not until when the most recent owners took over that this place started to feel like a second home. Nicest people you will meet. Every time I come in it seems like they have improved the store. It feels like they listen to the needs of the hobbyist with the selection of goods they have. You can sit there just talking for hours about the hobby and experiences. They have no problem ordering a particular fish or item you want. Just wish I had a bigger tank to find reasons to come back more often.

Kelsie Shelaine

2023-09

I can not say enough great things about this store, owner, and employees. They are knowledgeable, helpful, and always have a great fish and coral selection.We have also used their services for tank maintenance and moving our tank from one house to another. They are quick, professional, and wonderful to work with. 5 stars all the way!

chase stout

2023-05

I contacted Coastal Reef about moving my two salt tanks (25 and 36 gallon). Steve and Wanda both went over what I had in my tank as well as if I needed new sand, was due for water change to prepare. Day of move Steve arrives on time and got to breaking tanks down. He brought everything, it was by far the simplest and easiest tank move ever. He had extra salt, ro and bacteria starter on hand, had the sand I wanted ready to go, bags for my fish, had a tote for my tank water so I could do an easy transfer. I can not begin to say how impressed and more importantly how much stress this took off of me during a move. And the best part his quote was perfectly accurate. Love the fact that a plan was made, communicated and followed through with zero issues. I highly recommend Coastal Reef for their amazing customer service and their absolute ability to get something done right the first time.

Brando987b

2022-05

Coastal Reef is very knowledgeable and wilm help you through the process. They filled my tank at my house, got me all setup and I bought all my fish from them. My go to from now on. Thanks.

BRICC CITY

2024-04

Very knowledgeable, very helpfulBest saltwater aquarium store in Wilmington.

Jared Daniel

2023-05

Best place to shop for fish and coral. Great experience dealing with Steve and Wanda .

Joshua Benton

2023-05

I stopped by to pick up a couple of clowns for a new tank and they are doing fantastic. Both owners were there and were super helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. All the tanks were very well kept and had an awesome selection to choose from. They gave me all the time I needed to look and decide. Provided excellent recommendations on lighting and possible livestock. I'm sure I will be back!

David Prendergast

2023-05

Two fish I purchased died within days. That happens in this hobby, but the fact that they were far more interested in getting a special order in a bag for me to take home, instead of letting me keep it there, tells me they knew something was wrong with the fish. Not only did the 130 dollar angelfish die, but it systematically killed three others over the course of three weeks. The angel had velvet. All my other fish have been qt'd as I wait the fallow period through. I was told that the supplier and coastal reef use copper and that the fish was healthy. This guy just wants to move livestock. Stay clear. With this business model, he won't last. This one fish cost me hundreds of dollars and a lot of headache.

Hunter Brooke Arrington

2023-05

Steve and Wanda are honest and knowledgeable. They love what they do and will answer all the questions you may have! The store set up is nice! Their in store animal selection varies and wasn’t overwhelming - but they can order whatever you want! You can also purchase RODI and RODI Saltwater from them so you don’t have to make your own. They have quality aquarium products, as well. Definitely give them a try if you’re wondering where to go for your saltwater aquarium needs! :)

michael trott

2023-05

Recently just started back with an aquarium after 10 years. The entire staff is knowledgeable and definitely drives customer service. Throughout the years I have shopped with multiple stores in two states. This has been the best experience with the staff as well as the quality that I have seen offered. I pre shopped several local stores in the beginning when deciding who would earn my business. I will drive by all the rest as they have been excellent throughout my startup to current. Well done everyone!!

Abby Dawson

2023-05

We love coastal reef! We ended up with a marine velvet outbreak and they took our fish for two weeks and quarentined them until they were healthy again and our tank had cleared up- they definitely saved all of our fish. Wanda and Steven go above and beyond to do whatever they possibly can for their customers and they put the well being of the fish above anything else which is so important. I would not go anywhere else for our saltwater needs.

Ron Gibson

2023-05

I’ve only been recently involved with Coastal Reef (Steve and Wanda). Integrity and good will are characteristics I look for in ANY dealings I have with businesses and/or people. CR has both and I am pleased recent events have led me to get to know them and their business. I wish them continued success.

Maddie Catterton

2022-05

We’ve visited Coastal Reef a few times and have always had a great experience. The staff is very pleasant, extremely knowledgeable and always willing to answer any questions you have. We recently purchased some corals from them and not only did the staff take their time to give detailed answers to any questions we had, but they also didn’t try to sell us any products we didn’t need. If you’re looking for trustworthy people to buy fish or corals, Coastal Reef is the place to go.

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2022-05

This is a store for aquarium enthusiasts, they care for fish and coral beautifully, and truly care that their fish end up in good caring hands. There is plenty of knowledge staff to go around if your starting your own tank, thinking of starting, or have been doing it for years. Heck, you should stop by just to see the beautiful fish and coral, everything is in full display and looking beautiful.

Ryan Morgan

2022-05

Been in the hobby for years but always had live fresh water tanks. I stopped in to see how big the change was really going to be getting into a salt tank. Ryan was fantastic and literally walked me through everything from set up to pitfalls to avoid. Being such a more delicate eco system I had so many questions which he was more than willing to walk me through. Highly suggest to anyone in this hobby to give them a go. I'll be back for sure once I know my wife won't kill me.

Anthony Franks

2022-05

Very knowledgeable and honest staff, Wanda and Steven the owners are almost always there and always have an answer for your question, I would recommend them to anyone and everyone.

David McMillan

2022-05

Love this place. They're really knowledgeable about saltwater aquariums and live stock. They will also try to order anything you want or need. I rarely give a five star rating but these guys really have gone above and beyond helping me!

Andrew Clemmons

2024-01

Awesome place to get anything aquatic, wonderful staff and answer and question you have

Andrea Witt

2022-05

This is the best place in town! Clean store, great customer service and fair prices. They take wonderful care of their fish and coral. We won’t go anywhere else.

Stephen Colangelo

2022-05

Great store, coral selection is very good. Fish and invertebrates selection is great. Staff is nice. Minus a star as there is no livestock guarantee at all.

Christian Forbes

2022-05

I’ve been coming here for about a year. The staff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable on all things aquarium related. Both fish and coral alike. The best in the Wilmington area in my opinion.

Kira Shinn (cutelildorkk)

2023-10

Amazing little store! Love going to look at all the fish and sea creatures.