Reef Gurus

For saltwater aquarium enthusiasts and aspiring reef keepers across South Carolina, finding a reliable and knowledgeable source for live corals, marine fish, and essential supplies is paramount. In Greenville, SC, **Reef Gurus** positions itself as a specialized destination for all things related to the captivating world of reef tanks. This article aims to provide an in-depth look at Reef Gurus, drawing from customer experiences to offer a comprehensive overview for local users in the South Carolina region.

Reef Gurus prides itself on its staff's extensive experience, boasting "30 years of aquatic experience" collectively. They claim to have used all the products they sell, aiming to be a "one stop shop for setting up aquariums, dry goods, and all live stock." This dedication to expertise is a significant draw for many, as the complexities of maintaining a thriving saltwater environment often require precise knowledge and guidance.

However, customer experiences can vary, and it's essential for South Carolina residents to consider the full spectrum of feedback. While some visitors praise the store for its knowledgeable staff, neatness, and quality display tanks, others have expressed concerns regarding customer service, perceived cleanliness of some tanks, and a lack of attentiveness. This dichotomy highlights the importance of personal observation and direct interaction when evaluating a specialized store like Reef Gurus for your unique marine aquarium needs.

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Reef Gurus is conveniently located at **545 Rutherford Rd, Greenville, SC 29609, USA**. This address places them within Greenville, South Carolina, a central and accessible location for many saltwater aquarium hobbyists throughout the Upstate region and beyond.

Rutherford Road is a well-known thoroughfare in Greenville, making the store relatively easy to find for those traveling from various parts of the city and surrounding areas like Spartanburg, Anderson, and Clemson. Its placement within a commercial area typically suggests ample parking availability, which is a practical consideration for customers who might be transporting live animals or bulky aquarium equipment.

For South Carolina locals, the physical location provides the opportunity to browse inventory in person, select specific corals or fish, and seek direct advice from the staff. While the store draws customers from as far as an "hour and a half drive" due to its specialized nature, its Greenville base ensures that a dedicated marine aquarium supplier is readily accessible within the state, catering to the growing community of reef enthusiasts. The store's operating hours typically include Wednesday through Saturday, with varied timings, providing flexibility for visits.

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Reef Gurus specializes in the highly specific needs of saltwater aquarium and reef tank enthusiasts, offering a concentrated range of products and services. Their focus is on providing high-quality marine livestock and the necessary dry goods to maintain a thriving aquatic environment.

• Live Corals: They offer a wide selection of live corals, including both colonies and "WYSIWYG" (What You See Is What You Get) frags. Their website showcases various types, such as Splatter Hammers, Red Acan colonies, Eagle Eye Zoas, Mixed Zoa Mini Colonies, and more. This emphasis on visually selecting exact pieces is a significant draw for coral collectors.

• Saltwater Fish: While specific species are not detailed in public information, they are described as a "saltwater fish store," indicating they supply a variety of marine fish suitable for home aquariums. One review mentions a "new clown," suggesting clownfish are among their offerings.

• Dry Goods: They stock a range of "dry goods" essential for marine aquariums. This includes equipment, filtration components, lighting, testing kits (such as Triton ICP Test), and various additives like Brightwell Neonitro, all necessary for maintaining water parameters and overall tank health.

• Aquarium Setup and Installation: Reef Gurus positions itself as a "one stop shop for setting up aquariums," indicating they provide guidance and potentially services related to the initial setup of marine tanks. Their website also mentions "full custom construction" and "installation services of aquariums and equipment."

• Aquarium Maintenance: While less explicitly detailed, their website refers to "maintenance services of aquariums and equipment," suggesting they can assist with ongoing care for marine tanks.

• Expert Advice: With "30 years of aquatic experience" on staff and claims of having used all products they sell, they aim to provide knowledgeable advice for customers, guiding them on product selection, tank cycling, and troubleshooting common reef-keeping challenges.

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Reef Gurus presents a mixed bag of features and highlights, as reflected in varying customer experiences. While some aspects are highly praised, others raise concerns that potential customers in South Carolina should be aware of.

• Deep Aquatic Experience: A significant highlight is their claim of "30 years of aquatic experience" among their staff. This deep expertise is crucial in the complex field of saltwater aquariums, as it suggests staff can offer informed advice and product recommendations. One positive review confirms this, stating, "They were very knowledgeable and took time to answer the million questions I had."

• Quality Corals and Livestock: Many customers come specifically for their selection of live corals and saltwater fish. The mention of "new clown" acclimating nicely suggests a good standard for livestock health on arrival for some customers. Their WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) coral selection is a major draw, allowing hobbyists to choose exact pieces.

• Clean and Neat Store (Contradicted): One positive review highly praises the store's appearance: "The store was incredibly neat and clean and the display tanks let me know that they cared about what they did." This indicates a positive initial impression for some visitors.

• Customer Service Inconsistencies: This is a major area of concern. While one customer had a "best first experience" with staff taking time to answer questions, another long-time customer reported a "different experience sadly." This negative experience included not being spoken to for "15 mins," not being offered assistance carrying heavy items (over "20 lbs of rock"), "extremely careless" handling of products (dropping rock), and not being asked for a phone number for rewards despite being a "long time customer for almost 2 years."

• Concerns about Display Tank Conditions (Contradicted): The negative review explicitly mentions "Very dirty tanks, lots of algae and everyone sitting down doing nothing" regarding display tanks that were "not for sale." This directly contradicts the positive review's assertion of "incredibly neat and clean" display tanks. This discrepancy is significant for a store specializing in live aquatic animals.

• Perceived Lack of Helpfulness/Engagement: The negative review felt "very rushed and felt like nobody was willing to answer our questions and help us out," despite staff not appearing busy. This suggests a potential issue with staff attentiveness or customer engagement for some visitors.

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To contact Reef Gurus for inquiries about their products, live stock, or services, please use the following details:

• Address: **545 Rutherford Rd, Greenville, SC 29609, USA**

• Phone: **(864) 283-6067**

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For saltwater aquarium hobbyists in Greenville and across the wider South Carolina region, Reef Gurus presents itself as a dedicated and specialized resource. The suitability of this store for locals largely depends on individual priorities and what aspects of a customer experience are most important to them.

On one hand, for those seeking specific, high-quality corals and marine fish, Reef Gurus offers a niche selection that might be hard to find elsewhere in the local market. The positive feedback highlights knowledgeable staff who are willing to spend time answering questions and the presence of clean display tanks, which are crucial for assessing the health of potential purchases. For a hobby as intricate as reef keeping, expert advice is invaluable, and some customers clearly find that here, even willing to drive "an hour and a half."

However, local South Carolina residents should also be aware of the significant inconsistencies in customer service and store conditions reported by another long-time customer. Concerns about staff attentiveness, willingness to assist with purchases, perceived carelessness, and contradictory reports of "very dirty tanks" with "lots of algae" cannot be overlooked. These issues suggest that the customer experience might not be consistently positive for everyone, potentially leading to frustration for those expecting a certain level of service or pristine conditions.

Therefore, while Reef Gurus does offer a specialized product range and potentially valuable expertise for the South Carolina marine aquarium community, it is advisable for prospective local customers to visit in person with an observant eye. Assess the current condition of the tanks, gauge staff engagement, and consider if the overall atmosphere meets your expectations for a dedicated LFS. For those willing to navigate potential service inconsistencies for access to specialized inventory, Reef Gurus might be a viable option. For others who prioritize consistent customer care and pristine store conditions, a thorough personal evaluation before committing to purchases would be highly recommended.

Reef Gurus

545 Rutherford Rd, Greenville, SC 29609, USA