JBJ vs Oceanic:
Oceanic any day for me. I've been in the hobby for many years and have seen lots of problems, but very few from Oceanic. I myself own a 29 and two 14s. I went through a number of cubes the last few years and Oceanic is the only brand that has not let me down so far.
Mail Order vs Retail Store:
I do not know much about your
LFS, but in general I support my
LFS.
Why?
1) I wish to support my local economy. I don't want to send my money out of state or area that does not benefit my local economy. Why do I want to be just a customer number to someone whom I will never meet?
2) Customer service. If shit happens, I go back to my
LFS. Mail order guys tell you to call the manufacturer.
3) Familiarity. Buy the tank at a good
LFS and they will remember it. They know the system and what is suitable or not for it.
4) Respect.
LFS owners appreciate those who spend their money with them. When a rare specimen arrives, who do you think they will call, the guy who bought the tank from them for a little more or the guy who bought his stuff online and now just wants a deal on livestock? If some piece of equipment fails in a tank and you had purchase the item from him, the
LFS owner might go out of his way to pull the item from a new unit to save your livestock, but if you bought it online, good luck.
5) Future discounts.
LFS owners are no different than any other business owners, the more they see you buying, the more valuable you are to them. Since I do almost all my purchasing from my
LFS, I am given an automatic 20% discount on all dry goods that is not on sale. I also get heads up for cool livestock, and they will keep it on hold so I can see it before they place it for sale.
5)
