Shirley Aquatics

[Waterloo Kid]

I'm planning a trip to Shirley Aquatics in Birmingham this weekend. It's 115 miles away so I don't want to go if it's no good. Has anyone ever been there? What's it like? Do they have a good range of cichlids (my favourites) and in particular do they often carry rare fish such as Altums? I'd like to go to Trimar too but at 4 hours each way that's way out of the question!

WK

 

[the caretaker]

What are you going there for? they are very good for most things but they are not the cheapest shop. you can buy most of what you want on the net a great deal cheaper than shirleys or most other shops for that matter. Don't you have anything closer than a 115 miles as I said it is good but its not the mecca of fish shops!

 

[Waterloo Kid]

LOL
If I was buying dry goods I would, as you said, take a trip to internet city. As it is I fancy a drive and want to see a good selection of not so common fish. In particular I'm looking for som juvenile Altum angels. Can't get those round here! Really I just want a morning out and wondered if this place was worth the trip.

WK

 

[Dubby]

Have you looked at the Top 40 in PFK to check the nearest? You could then give them a call to check if they have what you want

 

[the caretaker]

Then this is going to be the place to go, its the bluest building you would have ever been to (in a fish sense) I was there last week and they had at least 3 good size tanks full of angels. happy shopping although before I go, my wife takes my credit cards off me you'll see why when you get there. lol

 

[Waterloo Kid]

When you said it was a very blue building I thought I'd have to leave the wife behind for a minute! Oh well, I suppose fish will do...

WK

 

[Gill]

Shirley Aquatics Has a Good range of Fish, But High Prices.

Staff are Twats - and expect to wait for over 1/2 to get served as they don't really care that you are waiting to be served.

The only Problem I could Envisage is the Water, Birmingahm Water is Very Soft.

What IS Yours.

I bought Fish B4 Knowing this and they Died the Same Day.

 

[Waterloo Kid]

GH 7 degrees

KH 4 degrees

pH 6.8

Near perfect Amazonian water! Well, as close as I'll get without plumbing in the RO unit I have sat in a box in my study! Wife wont let me plumb it in as we have just had a new kitchen put in. Should have made it part of the kitchen plans but other things got in the way. Hmmph!

WK

 

[Joby]

As others have said, good selection but very pricey

If you are after something special perhaps you could ring ahead and check with them. I was after a tank during their sale and they put one aside for me without any deposit and on just a phone call.

I have to unfortunately agree with the comments about the staff as they take ages to serve you The fish tanks are situated behind some barriers and you have to attract the attention of the staff to get served along with what seems hundreds of other people and no queue system

enjoy the drive if you decide to go

 

[Gill]

Another thing About Shirleys, Is they are the Best for Bettas that I have Been to. But that Will Change Once I am Setup

Shirleys @ Blooms in kenilworth Always get Some Very Impressive Finned Crownys and Halfmoons.

 

[Waterloo Kid]

Well, I'm back from my roadtrip. Ended up going to Stratford on Avon via Shirley Aquatics. Kept the wife happy.

Easily the biggest aquarium related shop I've been in. Suprisingly though, there didn't seem to be much in the way of tropical fish equipment that my lfs doesn't stock on a regular basis. The fish selection was OK but nothing great. Some nice rays and a good selection of marine fish and inverts.

To be fair to the store though, and to counter what some have said about the staff, they seemed fine to me. I didn't actually talk to anyone but listened in on some conversations. They seem to be knowledgable people, all be it sales target led. I turned up at 11am on a Saturday morning and the place was rather quiet. There were loads of staff appearing to be just milling around waiting to serve people and none of them seemed too grumpy to me (although, let's face it, all teenagers are grumpy when they talk to adults! ) The prices were only slightly higher than my regular Maidenhead but fish prices were noticably higher. £110 for a 3 inch zebra plec. I know they are popular but come on, I've seen them for £65 (somewhere?).

Anyway, all in all, a nice day out with the benefit of a fish shop visit. Oh yeah, also saw some blokes house that was really old. Rattlespear...no...shakeknife...no..oh can't remember now.

WK

 

[Gill]

I tried to make a trip to the main Shirleys. Got Lost as Always and Ended up in Solihull City Centre.

Found my way Home again but could not find my way to Shirleys.

I always Get Lost Getting there, The M6 Confuses me and I always without Fail take the Wrong Exits.

Oh Well - will try again in the Morning. I think I'll Take a Map with Me and there Phone Number.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Oh yeah... I've heard of that guy Rattlespear or whatever. Didn't he write some plays or something...... I'm sure one was called 13th evening or something along those lines.

 

[Def]

I always Get Lost Getting there, The M6 Confuses me and I always without Fail take the Wrong Exits.

That might be because Shirley is nowhere near the M6, and is in fact on totally the opposite side of Birmingham. Aim for J3 M42, then head straight up the road towards Birmingham. Look out for Tescos on your right, about 1/2 mile further on is Shirley Aquatics.

 

[the caretaker]

Yeah that bloke your on about I think he's done some TV work, or something like that.
and was it the bluest building you have ever seen?