Obsession Of The Week: Building An Aqua Garden In San Francisco

by elissa
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January 12, 2009

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My mom always tells me that the dog who pees on every tree never leaves the forest. Nevertheless, I always manage to involve myself in a new consuming and epic project at least once a week. While most of these activities result in disaster, (i.e.: closets full of yarn, giant turquoise paint stains on white rugs, freezers jammed with really salty Swedish meatballs, etc.) I'm always able to sponge away the pain with a childbirth-amnesia-like grace by staring up a new project. This week I decided to design an aqua garden.

A Little Aqua Garden Background

The fish are almost an afterthought in these all-natural underwater gardens. Even a city dweller who can’t remember to water a cactus once a month can grow a flourishing aqua forest with a simple kit and a few packs of moss. It surely beats your average goldfish plastic castle combo.

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Fairy Lake Discus Palace

1609 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121

This place is awesomely cheap, and quite modest. Thy sometimes carry some really rare fish, and tend to hike up the price on those, but are generally a lot cheaper than the other places. The owner, Herman breeds his own fish, and knows what he’s talking about. Go here if you don’t need someone holding your hand through the whole process.

Be sure to stop by the SF Brewcraft next door when you visit!

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Ocean Aquarium

120 Cedar St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Another primo aquarium vendor hidden in a shabby alley. Owner, Justin will be sure to go above and beyond to help beginners.

Note: Even though there’s the word “ocean” in its name, Ocean Aquarium only carries freshwater supplies and fish.

Another primo aquarium vendor hidden in a shabby alley. Owner, Justin will be sure to go above and beyond to help beginners.

Note: Even though there’s the word “ocean” in its name, Ocean Aquarium only carries freshwater supplies and fish.

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The Chi Of A Good Stick

Conjure your inner Deborah Butterfield as you select your driftwood centerpiece. Never will you feel so fulfilled paying 27 bucks for a piece of petrified wood that you could probably find on the beach for free.

Hint: The more petrified the wood, the less color it will steep out into the water. (Boil the newer pieces to avoid this).

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Cardinal Tetras - Fish At A Rave

Don’t get your fish until your garden has taken root, and your pH levels have been tested. Still, whet your appetite by considering a tank filled with these glowstick-esque cardinal tetras, or candy cane-like clown shrimp. You can even consider a freshwater puffer.

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Aqua Forest Aquarium

1718 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115

This place is the Mercedes-Benz of freshwater fish tank dealers. The in-house aquarium nerds will talk your ear off about aqua ferns as you waste hours staring at their impeccable displays. I recommend going in with an idea of what you want, or these guys will never let you leave. When I finally completed my transaction, my helpful tank expert’s face just screamed, “Please stay longer and talk about cardinal tetras with me. Please?”

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Lucky Ocean Aquarium

109 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118

Go here if Ocean Aquarium is getting too pricy for you, but don’t expect quite the same red carpet treatment. Still, a nice little fish store.

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Find Yourself A Friendly Fish Nerd

As mentioned above, finding a patient fish nerd is key. It’s a win-win situation, because as you fill your cart with all the right combinations of tools and plants, your helpful friend will be adding one more scene to the blissful video montage that will flash before his eyes when he approaches the pearly gates.

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