Maidenhead Aquatics - Cambridge Branch - Scotsdale Garden Centre

 

My go-to supplier for stock is Maidenhead Aquatics, the Cambridge branch inside Scotsdale Garden Centre.

Unfortunately, MA is a franchise so quality can vary, store-by-store, but I find this branch to have a good selection of healthy looking fish, well presented and backed up by knowledgeable, helpful, staff.

I've tried other suppliers, there's another MA nearby, a Pets@Home and a couple of independents too.

Never tried P@H but stock from some of the others has let me down with, relatively early deaths and, in one case, introduction of White Spot that took out existing stock as well.  I know I should have a quarantine tank, but well, I just haven't.

Value for money is not just about price.  You have to take account of longevity as well.  In my limited, 3-years into to hobby, experience, cheap fish are generally not as good quality/longevity as those I'd rather spend a few pence more on.

Why do I go back?  All of the above.

For non-fish supplies I rely on Amazon to source my SeaChem Prime, Stability & Pristine only when there's a 30% Extra "Free" offer on.

I'm a big fan of NT Labs for their liquid test reagents and Pro-F Pellet ranges, Tropical & Catfish.  They're competitively priced and last ages.
 

MA are the best round here for me too. They stock a decent range of everything, rather than specialising in certain areas. As you say different stores give slightly different experiences, what I do like about all those near me is their Facebook pages are always up to date and messages are responded to quickly. I can check which store I need to go to to get the fish I need without leaving the house.

I've not long got back from a trip to the shop this morning, and was very entertained to realise I'd visited on day that they were cleaning their main display tank.