The Aquarium Connection

They set me up with my very first tank. The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable. I knew nothing about fish but with there help my tank is flourishing and I love it

My tank has finally cycled thanks to Ryan at Aquarium Connection. My tank is about 3 months old. I have had a NO2 spike that has been 5.0ppm since about 3 ½ weeks after I purchased it. I tried everything suggested to me at another store but became very discouraged when my spike never went down. All other levels stayed within or below safe range. I went into Aquarium Connection initially seeking a under-​gravel filter thinking the problem was seeping up through my gravel. Ryan at Aquarium Connection listened to my issues I had been dealing with and in turn gave me amazing advice as well as suggestions on how to meet my tanks needs. Ryan quickly pointed out I had too smooth gravel which my bacteria could not cling to, I didn’t have the right bacteria and there was not enough flow in my tank. Ryan showed me what to purchase, which was new gravel that was more coarse, Stress Zyme for the bacteria, a medium sized live plant that’s like a moss and little round (can’t remember what they’re called) clay coarse white things that came in a sock that I actually cut open and placed in my filter due to the fact it’s open water compartment is too small for the full sock. It’s been a little over two weeks my spike has finally broke. My water became cloudy as I was told it would and I’ve been doing my 25% water changes. My NO2– has gone from +5.0ppm to fluctuating between .50ppm and .25ppm but generally staying at .25ppm. Literally my levels stayed dead at +5.0ppm for a solid 2.5 months. I tried everything and anything. I am so happy that my levels are starting to balance. I’m almost mad at myself for not going into Aquarium Connection sooner. Their staff is amazing, prices are a lot cheaper than most commercial places, huge selection of tank décor, sea/​fresh water fish/​plants. They’re very knowledgeable about all things fish– especially Ryan. He knew how to answer all my questions. This is now my new home for all things fish. Highly suggest Aquarium Connection! Oh side note– they take fish. I had a plecostomus fish that got really aggressive out of no where and I tried everything to accommodate him but ended up having to get rid of him. Aquarium Connection took him and trade me an otocinclus fish instead for free. Extremely satisfied with my experience here 5stars. Thanks guys! Will see you again!
–Lee Anne

Definitely have improved drastically since my last reviews. Great customer service, fish are healthy again, and have a amazing selection of corals.

This is the best place for fish in simi. From the inventory to the service. Peter has long been in the business and knows his stuff. Always ask him to look for tanks as people sell their tanks there.

Went in looking for a Butterfly Koi for my pond. The employee who was in the store either didn’t know the difference between a Butterfly and a regular Koi, or else was hoping that I wouldn’t.
I ended up buying a regular breed Koi anyway, because I liked the coloration, and it was floating dead in my pond within 48 hours. Other fish in the pond (both newly introduced from different stores, and old timers) are all alive and well.
Called the store to see what they’d be willing to do about it, and the person on the phone displayed absolute indifference. Not even an apology, much less an offer of refund or replacement.
I’ll never be back.

Large store with everything for your aquarium needs. I went in to get a goldfish for my son thinking I would get some rinky dink bowl and a goldfish. We ended up getting a wonderful tank with an electric filter (no cleaning folks!) and I’m so glad I spent the extra money. It’s clean-​lined and just so nice. It comes with a blue «night lite» feature that is great for my son. We ended up purchasing a couple fish and they look and act so healthy. I have to say thanks to not one but all three of the employees who helped us at different times — I went in 4 times in 2 days. They even special ordered some sponge bob toys for us to put in the tank and not only did they come in the next day but they let me go through everything before putting it out on the shelves so I could have first pick :) the tank is super cute, works great, the fish are healthy and now I’m happy as well as the fish and my son!

Awesome customer service. Honest answers. And best of all, they greet you when you come in the door! Talk to Andrew, he knows his Aquariums and he is easy to get a long with. There are closer stores to me, AC being almost 30min away, but they are my go to store for any supplies and more importantly healthy fish and corals. Thanks guys!

A friend of mine and I followed this place from its beginnings in the back of feed store to their beautiful new shop. We purchased a few healthy animals, but because we were always short on funds, we usually used this place as a sounding board for what we should purchase at a chain pet store. I’m sure they knew that, but they have always been courteous and helpful anyway.
Life has recently been kind to me, and I decided to upgrade my goldfish tank from a 37g to something bigger and more spectacular since I was moving to a new place. Aquarium Connection was my first choice in doing that. I had originally walked in wanting to buy an 80g, but they surprisingly talked me into something smaller (try to find that at a chain pet store!) Andrew, the owner, led me to a stunning 75g set up. It had all the bells and whistles – a beautiful honey-​coloured stand with solid wood holding the tank (as opposed to just holding around the frame), a nice border around the bottom of the aquarium, double-​thick glass, and a matching hood. Even the FRAME of the aquarium matches, and the light fixture is made of colour-​coordinated plastic with a piece of laminate on it that matches the rest of the set up. In short, it looks like a custom piece and the quality is absolutely unreal. Better still, he told me that since it had been hanging around the shop for a while and he wanted to move it, he would offer me a nice discount and could deliver it the following day after it had been cleaned up. As soon as I said I wanted it, he had someone wiping it down and getting it ready for me. We chatted about some other products I was interested in, I scheduled the delivery for a few days later so I could prepare my apartment, and I bought a few other things and walked out. A little while later, I realized I had forgot to specify which bulb I wanted for my fixture, and I called him and asked that he bring one for me at the time of delivery.
Fast forward to delivery day (which was also moving day for me), and I took a look at my receipt. To me, it looked like I had been charged $ 25 more than what I had been quoted. I called Andrew, and he remained firm on what he had charged me. We went back and forth for a little while, and I finally gave up on trying to «get my money back.» Before we hung up, he told me the cost of delivery, and the cost of my bulb. I didn’t realize that the bulb was not included with the fixture. Since moving day had already made me irritable, I snapped that since I was not happy with the tank issue, I would not be purchasing the bulb that day. He apologized and told me he wanted me to be happy with the whole transaction. I reassured him that I still planned on being a loyal customer, no matter what the mix up, but that I simply wasn’t ready for the so-​called «extra charge.»
A half hour later (and exactly at the scheduled time), Andrew’s father and another employee show up at my door with my tank. As soon as I saw it in all its shiny, clean glory, and perched in its perfect spot in my dining room, I felt so, so stupid for arguing over $ 25. I had gotten an amazing deal, and Andrew was such a kind and genuine guy. Then, to put the cherry on top of my shame, I noticed that there was a brand new bulb sitting inside of the aquarium. I was shocked at Andrew and his shop’s amazing customer service and hospitality. I respected him immensely for standing his ground, but still wanting to ensure that his customer was satisfied.
I tried to call a few hours later, but got his voicemail. I left a message thanking him, but have since been too embarrassed to call back and thank him again.
Andrew, if you read this, please know that I will be visiting your store again soon and that your amazing kindness has not been taken for granted!

Hands down a 5 star service and animals were exactly what I was looking for. I found Peter knowledgeable and he remembered me. He took the time to help me and he listened to what ones looking for. I am happy to be their customer.

I’ve always gotten nothing but knowledgable, friendly service here. The people are very warm and helpful, and always honest. I’ve gone to their store many times when they were located in Theresa’s Pet, and they’ve helped me a great deal ever since I got my first tank. Can’t say enough good things about them!

Awesome customer service! I needed a new hood light for my older hexagon fish tank. They checked the catalog and were able to order it for me. Was delivered the next day! Thanks so much for the fantastic service!

It’s suprising that this store has lots of 5 star reviews, I wonder if they are friends of the business owner. This store used to be located inside of Theresa’s Feed and Pet, and has since moved to this location. I never much liked the quality of the fish back when they were in there, and still don’t, now that they are here. The fish are often diseased with Ick, or Fungus, and due to the bad flow thru aquariums that they have, many types of fish get sick. I recently went in to the new location to give it a second chance, bought some Neon Tetras. Well, I won’t be back because one was already dead inside the bag by the time I got home. (I live in Simi by the way). Two more died the next day. It wasn’t the quality of the water in my tank, because I bought a few other fish from somewhere else, also Tetras, and they did fine. This place may be knowledgeable, but the highly overpriced tanks and poor quality freshwater fish are not worth it!

Being local is its only plus. Prices are extremely high. Marineland MJ Pro 1200 is $ 49 and you can get at any online store with shipping for $ 24. Dead Corals are not priced. Staff member says the owner usually sets the prices when the customer asks, but said usually very high. Not sure how fish are now, but when at Teresa’s they were very unhealthy. Purchased a few different times, but they never lasted for more than two months and always infected my tank.

Simple the best place to go for all your aquarium needs. My salt water tank has never been so healthy. The fish are always healthy and beautiful. The service is great and the staff is very knowledgable. Whether it’s a bowl or a 100 gallon set up this place has everything you need to make it beautiful. There monthly service is very reasonable and more important my tank looks amazing… Thank you for an amazing set up for my family to enjoy… A++++

this new location is awesome! the store is so fresh and clean, very organized and easy to look through. i can always count on aquarium connection to have what i need to properly maintain my tank and all the beautiful fish is a plus!
over the past 10 years it has been a pleasure working with the owners luz and pete, along with all of their employees. anytime i have a question or need help with my tank without hesitation they are there to help in the best way possible. it is very hurtful to see others write such negative things about these hard working people!

A great store when ever I needed help with an issue with my tanks they always knew the solution. Also everything in the store was priced so well and rarely do the fish have any diseases.

Excellent store to shop at its a pleasure every time I go inside the aquarium connection they have everything it takes to run a very inexpensive aquarium all you need is a filter in the tank and just simple chemicals so you would just remove the chlorine and your fish will be happy, if you shop at the aquarium connection because my fish are not dying like they were when I shopped at Petsmart for my fish I shop at the aquarium connection…

The staff is as friendly as the fish are varied. And believe me, I’ve never even heard of half the fish they’ve got in stock. Everytime I’ve gone there, they’ve patiently answered all my questions and assisted me with making sure my tank was ready for life.
Unlike Petco/​PetSmart, I can actually trust these people — not to slander the other two stores. The employees here are extremely knowledgable in what they do and I that makes me love even just stopping by.
It’s basically a hidden gem that everyone needs to see.

Great new pet store in Simi Valley. Large selection of salt water and fresh water fish. Large selection of corals. Friendly and knowlegable staff.

Fantastic service and help! Went in for a small tank for my sons room and they really helped me get what I wanted and needed for a great price! They employees were so helpful and knowledgable and helped me pick the fish that would last and were so healthy! Highly recommended!