Fish Guy Russ

When I first contacted Russ, through an ad, I told him my vision for a mini «Sea World» in my office. He listened, and asked some great questions, and then really helped talk some sense into me, as far as what size of an aquarium would be best for my office. He was very helpful, and realistic in setting the right expectations for cost, and what the servicing schedule and costs would be. We talked for about half an hour, on my initial call, with him just giving me great information and answering questions. He also advised me that if I’m patient, he comes across some great used aquariums all the time, and he could get me a good deal. After that initial call, I knew I’d be buying my aquarium through Russ.
Russ delivered on him promise, and found me the perfect aquarium for my space. It was a 72 gallon bow-​front, with custom rock work, live corral, anemones, and several really cool fish. And the price was way better than I would have expected. Russ and his guys delivered and set up the tank for me. And from then on, he regularly serviced my tank, and it was in pristine condition. Everything was healthy, and the tank sparkled. The highlight of my day was when I walked in to see my aquarium.
Sadly, I had to move the tank out recently, and I sold it to a friend. Russ and his team quickly moved it out and set it up and my friend’s place. Now it’s the highlight of my buddy’s house, and I’m left with an empty wall… but I can’t say enough about what a great service Fish Guy Russ provides.
If you’re looking to get an aquarium, or build something custom, or you already have one and need a professional for service, call Russ. You’ll be glad you did.

Russ is amazing!!! Came in and help to establish our 65 gallon saltwater tank. I’ve called multiple shops and he has the best prices and best service, and I don’t need to tell you this combo is very rare. If you need help with your tank he’s the man. Who you gonna call… Fish Guy Russ

Russ is a stand up guy and takes care of business. I now have a go to for my aquarium needs and will recommend him to all. Thanks!

Amazing guy! I had lost hope for my tank and was giving it away for free, he came to my house to buy it but instead help me turn it into a lively and radiant tank! You can tell this guy cares about what he does :)

Thank you for taking our fresh water tank to a coral oasis… helping grow corals at an alarming rate a true outstanding job…

I can’t begin to say how happy I am to have found Russ to help me with my fish tank. I had bought a tank off of Craigslist and was struggling to find someone who could move it for me. I was really in a pinch and after reading reviews online I came across Russ. With only two days until I needed to have the take I purchased moved I was running out of time. This tank was up and running and filled with livestock. I contacted Russ and explained my scenario. I thought for sure I was going to have to reschedule the move but instead Russ said that he would get it handled for me.
From the minute I met up with Russ to help with the move I could tell he knew what he was doing. He has a very friendly demeanor and you can tell he loves his job. We got the tank moved quickly and back to my home. We chose where we wanted it and Russ got to work. He was very thorough checking everything very closely to make sure we had zero problems or leaks. Especially with the tank being used he wanted to make sure that everything was working perfectly. He was very friendly and informative while he was working away. He made sure to go over everything with to me and give me a quick recap of caring for a saltwater tank. It had been 10 years since I have had one so I will admit to be a bit rusty. Well it has now been less than 24 hours and the tank is crystal clear and all the fish and coral look healthy. Russ was also very careful in both homes to make sure not to make a mess and drip saltwater everywhere.
I use reviews of Unilocal often before I will do business with people and I will say if your not using Russ for your Reef tanks or just fish aquariums you should really reconsider. Its one thing to be good at your job but when you have a passion for what you do it really shines through. I am thrilled with the job that Russ has done and look forward to doing business with him in the future.
If you have an aquarium that you have issues with or just want to change it up. Call Russ the fish guy. You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you Russ for the A+ job you did for us. We absolutely love it!!!

We needed an installation done quickly for an office that we had just moved into. Our timeframe was 2 weeks out. Russ fit us into his schedule last minute and did a complete walkthrough of our offices where he gave us some great ideas on custom built-​in installations. As a non-​profit, we were unable to go with something so extravagant. However, Russ understood this and was able to find us a used aquarium that could be repurposed in our office. He provided us with fair prices and quick service. Within a week of our inquiry he emailed us a variety of options for fish and got the installation done in a timely manner. Since his services began, he has been such a pleasure to work with. We look forward to seeing him each time that he comes in. He is very professional and really does have a passion for fish. His name is «Fish Guy Russ» for a reason. His dedication and knowledge really shine when he takes the time to explain the dietary needs and eating habits of each fish. He makes sure to provide the fish with the best environment possible so that they can thrive. We have never had a problem with our tank. All of our fish are happy, healthy, and a wonderful addition to our program as they provide moments of peace and tranquility each day.

Russ made my dream come true! I went to a sushi place in Huntington Beach and they had this huge amazingly beatiful salt water tank there, so i asked a worker (or owner not sure lol) who did they use to get it all set up and he gave me Russ’ s number. I called and Russ came out the next day. He helped me chose the right equipment (his prices are much much less than any fish store), fish and corals that can peacefully coexist and make me happy every time I look at my tank :)) This guy doesn’t care if you want 28 gallon mini tank (like mine) or a full wall, he doesn’t care if its next to your bed or in your office or restaurant — he will take good care of it either way. Who knew that growing all kinds of tropical corals can be this easy! Thank you Russ :)

Fish Guy Russ… WOW, just WOW. He’s an aquarium genius! I recently acquired a 60 gallon tank & stand. I wanted a pretty tank, something relaxing and enjoyable. But because I didn’t know if it was ‘water tight’ I tried to re-​silicone it myself, baddddd move! I wanted someone to come to my home and do the job AND I support the local businesses so I went on-​line and found a few local sites offering maintenance, set-​up and other fishy related job — one was a bidding site. I posted my ‘request’ for someone to ‘bid’ on the job of resealing of my tank. Russ answered and I’M SO GLAD HE DID! I got so much more than a reseal.
Russ and I texted a few times and I sent him a couple photos of the silicone botch massacre I did (
makes it look a HELL of a lot easier than it is!). Russ came over a few days later and took a look at my seal job, he was polite enough to not laugh or make fun of it … so I did and he agreed, it’s not as easy as it looks. So, the reseal was going to cost almost as much as a brand new tank. I told him I’d think about it.
I also didn’t really like the stand I had been given and telling Russ this he sent a photo of a tank someone was selling. I reallllllllllllllllly liked it and he brought that over.
I didn’t really ‘like’ the tank I had (a dinosaur was in it previously) and had scratches on the glass and the current seal job was just horrid LOL. Now I have a beautiful stand and a previous dinosaur home that needed resealed. I talked to him about a new tank and he found an awesome tank with black sealant on the ends and clear across the bottom and it was BRAND NEW for a grrrrrrrrrrreat price and being delivered!
My new tank is a smidge too big for the stand, he didn’t just drop it off and say ‘you bought it, you fix it’ nope, he saved the day because it turns out Russ is ALSO A MASTER OF TANK STAND MANIPULATION! He came back with his handy-​dandy bag-​o-​tools and within about 20 minutes the stand fits the tank nice and snug!!! The top took a few alterations to accommodate the glass top and he installed the light bar for me too! OMG IT’S BEAUTIFUL! empty, but beautiful!
Now, I have an awesome set-​up and was in need of all the stuff to go INTO the tank. Another dilemma??? Russ had a big orange bucket of used gravel he sold me at another great price and after cleaning the gravel into the tank it went, aweeeeeeeeeeesome! I decided to fill the tank and in the process fell off a 4′ wall onto my butt/​hip/​back/​wrist… ok I GIVE UP, I’m not a fish tank setter-​upper. Time to leave this to the professional!!!
I had a sweet bruise on my hip and wrists, I’m sore BUT I have all the stuff and the tank held a beta, a placostamus and a stupid purple ‘interest ball’ for the beta who was about half interested in the ball (evidently he’s not part lab or German Shepard and could really care less about the ball. Sooooooo once again a call to Russ, HELP ME! He came back over and I left a key so he could do his work while I was at work and come home to a PROFESSIONALLY designed tank. He has this really cool service that for a monthly fee he’ll clean your tank and change out the décor so it’s like a new tank every month! How cool is that! There’s a deposit on all of the décor but it was WELL worth it! I figure as we go I’m sure I’ll want to buy a couple pieces here and there but it’s awesome to be able to test out and view it for a while before you buy it and decide you don’t like it, right?
To sum it up, I’m WICKED HAPPY with the service I’ve received and Russ was able to find me an AMAZING deal on a new tank stand and hood! They are beautiful!
So, now I’m the owner of a new tank, BEAUTIFUL stand/​hood combo that are just GORGEOUS and just the most friendly and honest FISHGUY a gal can find! Thank you soooooo very much Russ, you ROCK and I’m recommending you to all my ‘fishy friends’ lol…
p. s. he lives pretty close to me so another Fish 911 happened and I took a smaller tank light hood over to his house to see if he could find another one for me. I met his wife and kids and he has such a beautiful family, and an adddddddddorable chubby little baby girl!!! Congrats!!!
He has a facebook page I just liked and there are great photos on there too!