Ocean Gallery

Great store for advice, but will always comparison shop from now on. I always expect a little mark up for a local store over online, and as such I don’t go crazy comparison shopping, but in this particular case I wish I had. 99 bucks for a pump that can be had for 55 online. That’s not a markup, that’s highway robbery.
Good guys to talk to and get advice from… but their prices are incredibly high for simple things. Reasonable prices on tanks and furniture, but pumps and powerheads and the like are absolutely priced to kill you. Buy at your own risk.

I’m a newb to saltwater tanks I’ve learned quit a bit from the staff Erick and Joe without even spending a dime. I personally believe educating you customers is key to a successful relationship with them and they Both took the time to make sure I was patient and took my time with my tank, instead of just taking my money and allowing me to buy every type of fish and coral I wanted and just toss them in a tank just to have them look great for a week and then pass away.
I personally run a small business myself and believe they took right steps to put me on the right track to becoming a proper aquarium hobbyist. I told them both I’d like to start out small, to make sure I have the drive to commit to a tank and then I’d would later on purchase a larger tank for my home and business once I got the hang of things.
They understood my needs, and took the time and gave me the information without bias and that won me over.
I support small businesses and you should to, the difference between buying from a big box store or buying from online retailers is simply this, the service and personalization a small business can provide to your needs can only be had one on one.

I have a saltwater aquarium and have always shopped at the Pet Shanty (nearby also on Rt 22) for many years. After 26 years in business, they recently closed and I started shopping at Ocean Gallery. The store is decorated with several gorgeous reef tanks, most of the staff is super friendly, helpful, and knowledgable and there’s a varying selection of fish.
The only reason I’m giving this store 2 stars is because of their lacking return policy. A quality store guarantees their fish at least for 7 days; The Pet Shanty did and I’ve found that that’s pretty common place amongst tropical fish stores, but Ocean Gallery does not guarantee their fish. I purchased a fish from there that died two days later, and considering my water test is good, I should be entitled to either a new fish of equal value or a refund but they only offer a discount on a new fish.
As anyone with an aquarium knows, it’s not uncommon for a fish to die within a few days of entering a new tank, even if the water tests well, which sucks because you feel bad for the fish and also because you probably just spent somewhere from $ 30 to $ 100 that might as well have been flushed right down the toilet. I don’t feel comfortable shopping here anymore knowing that if this happens again, I have no recourse except for a discount… they’re basically saying «hey, sorry your fish died within days of purchase, come spend some more money.» It’s simply unethical and unfair.

I feel like there was a time when this store was probably in better shape than it is now.
The marine tanks all had one issue or another (aiptasia, hair algae, etc) that makes me nervous.
I did buy a live rock from a tank that appeared clean — I brought it home, cleaned it and put it in my tank … Three days later? A tell tale brown polyp appeared.
I managed to kill it and keep it from spreading — but damn.

I have not bought any fish from here but they have a very nice saltwater selection. Their displays are usually very clean and the owner is very hands on with customers.

I got 2 5inch discuss fish and some assorted little fish.
The staff is very friendly and helpful and their prices are very competitive.
I highly recommend them.

If you’re in the saltwater hobby, like me, this is the place to go. I don’t look at their freshwater fish but as for saltwater they pretty much have everything. I took off one star because the supplies are over priced since I can purchase cheaper on amazon.

Some of the tanks were dirty, freshwater tank room was smelly, narrow, and damp. Goldfish tank was nice but some of them were dead and rotting. Wished they had more cichlids. I orginally went there for a blood parrot cichlid, but they only had convicts, africans, and jelly beans. Not coming back here unless I get a saltwater tank or they expand!

A nice local pet store on rte. 22 in NJ.
Awesome marine selection and reef section. Some Very nice show case reef tanks and a very robust selection of tanks to choose from for those setting up a new tank. For Central NJ, this store cannot be beat for reef and marine fish selection and choice. The freshwater selection is smaller and seems like an after thought. Its OK, and fish look good but nothing special and limited diversity.
Staff is knowledgeable and helpful. Prices are higher than average, but you get a great selection of aquatics and good support from the staff.
For dry goods they are in line with the chains (which I find over priced on staples like salt and lighting, etc anyhow).
If you have a reef tank, check them out!