Richmond Aquarium LLC

Judi Humphrey

2024-04

My family and I love to go to Richmond Aquarium! Everyone is friendly and very knowledgeable. We have 3 tanks and they help us make the best decisions for our tanks.

ALICIA R

2023-08

I came here looking to be educated on purchasing a fish & tank & the staff member working did just that. He was nice and explained everything to me and also recommended other places that might have what I was looking for. I am truly a beginner in this space so his willingness to help was much appreciated. The inside seemed a bit cluttered but I didn’t expect much. Overall I would return when I am ready to purchase.

Cameron Smith

2024-03

Staff is knowledgeable, helpful and nice. I wanted to start a new planted tank and went in 2 months ago to start getting things for it. Pictured is wood, rocks, plants, a betta and snails I got from them. Everything has thrived and look forward to going back!

BreeAnna Raison

2024-03

I came to this place looking to test my water for a new tank set up. I was told my tank water was perfect and ready for fish. I chose two beautiful fish. Four days later, they had both died. I took them back to the store with a fresh water sample and was told the pH had tanked and the ammonia was way too high. The fish had been discovered immediately after their death and removed so I didn't understand how those changes occurred so quickly. I was told to purchase a bacteria product and treat the tank for seven days. I did so and brought them another sample. Same result. They told me to do another 14 days of the bacteria and another treatment. After that I came back with a water sample and was told the ammonia was still too high for fish to survive, and they wanted me to purchase water from them and another product. I took a water sample to a different store the same day for a second opinion and was told my water was fine and the ammonia level was well within normal. I have had fish in that tank for the last eight days and they are thriving. My experience here has been that these guys seem to have sold me sick fish and blamed it on my water and wanted to continue to sell products. I am disappointed.

Dee de Cheubel

2023-05

The staff makes all the difference. They take the time to talk with you and generally have what we need. I love looking at the variety of fish and coral. They sell duckweed too!

Carter Adkins

2024-01

Was very helpful and knowledgeable about the fish I wanted definitely will be going back

J R

2024-04

Beautiful pictures had to call to verify this was a supply shop and not a viewing aquarium lol. When I called the person who answered was lovely. Haven't visited because I don't have fish but will if I ever am in need.

Nicole Jones

2024-03

Friendly staff and very helpful. Knowledgeable. Clean store and tanks. Will be back.

Marcus Williams

2023-11

Highly knowledgeable staff of all fish and they service numerous restaurants and homes that have aquariums. When you enter the bldg. I have not ever seen any aquarium store set up like this. When you look to the right, you will see how they maintain and make salt water plus fresh water for fish to live in. Directly in front of you are salt water fish in reach for kids to possibly touch. It is not recommended to touch, though. Excellent place to shop for fish and aquariums. Also rent aquariums.....

Lissa Rolenc

2019-05

They can not do custom well. Here is what I ended up with and then the owner screamed at me on the phone when I requested this to be torn out. They can not follow a set of architectural drawings and details, nor do they work well with maintenance agreements with a commercial business. I was shocked at how rude and crude he was on the phone when I was trying to work with him on this issue. The nice photo below is another project and what we asked for on this project in Richmond.. they were given the photo with the drawings and still could not make it work.

Barbara Roberts

2024-02

Staff knows what they are doing. Will test your water and determine if fish will thrive.

Matt Meyer

2023-12

These guys know their stuff about fish! Amazing place to shop

Todd Hearn

2023-10

The staff are great. They are knowledgeable and the prices are fair. By far the better tropical fish store in the area.

Johnny Snah

2022-05

I have been in the hobby for 20 years and purchased in all Richmond stores and online. Of the three saltwater aquatics stores in the Richmond area, this one is my least favorite. If you are experienced, this place is ok. You must be able to spot if something is healthy, identify stress, and know your species. If you are able to do so, you can find some gems here, as items are often mislabeled. I have found some rare coral that was labeled as something else.On the flip side, you must be careful. The staff is very nice, but they will say anything to make a sale. It may not be intentional, it may be lack of knowledge, but purchase with caution and do your research. In addition, they have the worst return policy of any of the other stores in the Richmond area and online. Coincidence?Finally, I have found RA livestock to have the worst survivability rate in my tanks. When investing time and money this is crucial. I have had a greater success rate, by a substantial amount with the other stores and online. My advice, spend the extra money elsewhere, you’ll end up saving in the end.I will not advertise other businesses in this review, but I will encourage you to make the extra drive. Again, if you are experienced, you can find some great livestock here, but your purchase comes with a risk.

Elizabeth Long

2022-05

We love coming here for all of our tank supplies. Sometimes the selection is low, but come on Wednesday or Thursday for the best selection. We’ve also trusted them to come to our home to work on our tank and they did a fabulous job!

Rachel Yeatts

2017-05

The staff was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Despite being busy, the employee made sure to acknowledge me and got with me as soon as he was finished with his other customers. He was able to answer all of my questions and helped me find a medication for my clown fish. Would absolutely recommend this place if you need anything for your tank, for your fish or to stock your tank.

Kevin

2018-05

I have only been here twice. The first time was the "just checking it out because I'm tired of chain pet stores" visit. The second time was to show the wife and our 2 year old. I was helped by a different employee on each visit. I did not catch the first guys name. David I believe was the second guy. Both of them knew their stuff and were very great at the customer service they provided. David tested my water and provided an explanation and a solution to the findings. Both gentlemen also explained to me about fish that can and cannot be together in the same tank which is helpful, especially when my daughter wants the beautiful black tip shark and neon tetras. We settled for 4 fish that get along well and some water treatment. As I continue to grow my tropical community, this will be my stop. Thanks to everyone that helped us and keep up the good work! See ya soon.

Raymond Johnson

2021-05

New location. Very helpful staff! He could've easily sold me anything, but my problem with cloudy water was answered in detail and he didn't try to trick me into purchasing something I didn't need. Love the salt water tanks and selections of fresh and salt fish.

Yvonne Marbury

2021-05

This is one of the best aquarium places in Chesterfield. They have such beautiful coral here! I'm new to fish aquariums but went along with my bf who has a 65 gallon tank with salt water fish. He has been searching for alot of things to fill his tank and found a couple things here no one else had.The guy at the counter was super knowledgeable and explained things to me so I understood everything.We went to 4 aquariums today and quickly realized not all fish aquarium stores are the same this place and one other place were very clean, with well kept tanks. The other two were poorly cared for.One thing that blew me away here besides the very friendly and knowledgeable staff was the clear water in all the tanks. I had to double take because it literally looked like the fish were swimming on air..that's how clean and clear this water was in the tank.I look forward to coming back again.

Erica Trone

2021-05

One of the workers was soooooo rude. I wanted to come back and purchase a fish tank that another worker told me about(he was great) but when I came in, and asked about a fish, the way they guy talked to me, I decided to leave and just purchase the tank elsewhere. He should be retrained in the customer service department. Customers won't return with that type of service!!

Steven Ouellette

2021-05

I really want to like this place as it is the closest independent fish store to me. The new location is nice. They have a decent selection of dry goods, but the fish selection always seems to be lacking compared to the other independent stores in RVA.

Katie Caldwell

2021-05

Knowledgeable employees and super friendly and helpful! Can't wait to get my tank set up with these guys. Highly recommend for fish newbies and experienced owners alike.

adiva J

2023-05

The guy in the front was extremely helpful with teaching me about not only the difference between fish and the waters they go in but as well as he taught me a lot about the tanks in which to hold them in.

A R

2022-05

So this place is really knowledgeable so I like calling them for advice. They know a lot. This is nothing about the workers, but I was very disturbed to hear that their suppliers advocate for euthanizing a fish by freezing it. Please stop doing this, this is not humane. Freezing is considered inhumane by the American Vetinary Medical Association. Fish are cold-blooded - they don't "fall asleep" like we do, they stay awake the entire time. This is is one of the cruelest methods of euthanizing a fish. Extreme cold water can cause their blood to become crystalline snd is extremely painful. This is actually very cruel. I hope that this place can learn about humane euthanasia, like the use of clove oil in the water before freezing. Clove oil puts the fish in a deep sleep, so they don’t feel any pain. I hope this review will make them take humane euthanasia seriously. Thank you.

Morgan Maddox

2023-05

Love these guys. They brought my crashed aquarium back after another store gave bad recommendations

Erock1900 (Erock)

2022-05

Excellent quality, though could have used a bit more variety. The staff were extremely pleasant and helpful, would definitely recommend visiting this store.

Malcolm Parker

2019-05

Very knowledgeable. Not pushy. Didn't hawk us. Let us just roam around. Fish selection was good. Can't wait to see what the next shipment brings. Definitely will be my go-to aquarium store

Chelsey Schwier

2023-05

The employees are very knowledgeable and friendly. They want to help you succeed in you tank lifestyle.

Bryan /plumbing

2022-05

First I’d like to say the staff is very friendly, now I went there to get Reverse Osmosis water and started to notice when I got home that the PPMs were kind of high . I spoke to them about and one employee told me it’s just minerals jacking up lol . I went in again And the PPMs were reading over 266 an I also noticed they had algae built up in the clear tubing which that type of tubing for that is a no no. . Then I called and they told me they hand all there filters swapped for new ones and I went there and tested the water and it was reading at 96 over a week after having new filters . That tells me they don’t clean there tanks regularly or ever at that . Not a good place for water at all .

Tony Kilic

2023-09

It is a little beat up but plenty of selection to choose from.Locally owned place