Alfa Aquatic Arts

Alfa Aquatic Arts Now specialize in Tank maintenance. If you or anyone know have a tank but don’t want the hassle of taking care of it give us a call. Pet Service

05/30/2026

The state is requiring towns to allow small multifamily or mixed-use developments in commercial zones without a public hearing.

24 hour pond turn around 🙏🏻❤️
04/21/2026

24 hour pond turn around 🙏🏻❤️

Pokey says hello just relaxing getting Mommy time and that he misses everyone.
04/13/2026

Pokey says hello just relaxing getting Mommy time and that he misses everyone.

03/28/2026

I can’t come close to Allies post the other day but I’ll try. I’ve been in this hobby for 50 years now. It all started when at 5 yrs old I won a gold fish at the Hamburg Fair. I’ve been absolutely in love with animals from that point on. I started doing SW back in ‘89 and that really changed me forever. I read every book I could find and started making my own lighting/ equipment because not that much was commercially available at that time. I ( as a hobbyist) continued to evolve as did the hobby. Eventually the inevitable happened and I started working at a LFS owned by an amazing family. Colchester Pet was an amazing experience working with aquacultured fish before that was even a thing. One day I got a call from the one and only Scott Crowe asking if I would be willing to travel to RI to help out at the OSA because they were opening a coral farm. Well who says no to that call lol . OSA absolutely exploded while I was there, Scott had assembled the ultimate team of knowledge driven go getters to accomplish what he had always dreamed of. I am so humbled and honored to have been a part of that. In between Colchester Pet and OSA I helped my buddy Jeromy shut down Shoreline Aquarium in Old Saybrook. We sold a bunch of tanks to this lovely young couple looking to start a store in my hometown of Old Lyme. Rod and Kyra built a nice successful store but unfortunately life got in the way and they had to sell. I happened to answer the phone at OSA when they called and even though OSA wasn’t interested I sure was. I talked to Kyra and agreed to come work for her and hopefully/ eventually maybe purchase the shop. Well a little over 2 years ago that happened. It was an amazing ride owning a store, building a client base, getting more and more kids into the hobby with the Tanks for Tots program ( Ty to everyone that donated to that) providing the best advice I could , watching the store grow. Then 3 weeks ago by Email mind you that dream ended. I can’t tell you how painful and impersonal it is to have a dream end like that. But it was worth all the blood, sweat and tears. I got to watch K grow up and take her first steps at Colchester, then I got to watch Bails do the same at OSA and I can’t forget little Ada at Alpha. Thank you Amy for never giving up on me, Allie who stuck with us not having any idea what was going to happen, Pokey who turned into the ultimate shop dog and most of all you guys who without this small town guy would have never gotten to live out his dream. In the words of the OZ man We Love You People . Corporate Greed needs to be stopped.

It was a pleasure being your LFS we can’t thank you all enough for helping to clean this place out in only 3 weeks. Unti...
03/28/2026

It was a pleasure being your LFS we can’t thank you all enough for helping to clean this place out in only 3 weeks. Until we meet again enjoy this amazing hobby and Keep On Reefing Baby. 🤘🏻😎❤️🐠🐟🐡

The free pile is refreshed
03/26/2026

The free pile is refreshed

UDATE: SOLD. Amy and I will be at the shop cleaning from 10:30- 3ish if anyone wants to pick up this 125 gallon set ...
03/26/2026

UDATE: SOLD. Amy and I will be at the shop cleaning from 10:30- 3ish if anyone wants to pick up this 125 gallon set up. $150 and bring help it’s heavy lol. The free pile out back is being added to daily as well .

03/25/2026

The frag table is no longer available. It’s been donated to a local school. Still a few stacks and the 125g set up available

The FREE pile has begun at the rear of the store. Take one, take all but we ask please be respectful and don’t leave a m...
03/24/2026

The FREE pile has begun at the rear of the store. Take one, take all but we ask please be respectful and don’t leave a mess behind. 😉🤘🏻😎❤️ . Enjoy

03/24/2026

As the reality of the store closing slowly cracks through me, I realize my home away from home for the past 3.5 years is being taken away by people who have never even stepped foot in it. By people who have not taken a moment out of their lives to step into the wonder that exists in a local fish store. Where curiosity, excitement, knowledge, creativity, and community reside.

This store has held me in so many ways. A new job upon moving back to CT in 2022 after decades away, to more recently allowing 3 months of maternity leave in a country that offers much less. I have found family here within these walls. Ernie, Amy and Kyra have all made me feel as such. All of our previous team members included (Ben, Stacey, Ella, Stephanie, and Anthony) 💖 We all tried so hard to breathe life into this flickering flame. To ignite the spark that would catch and carry for miles, and we almost freaking did it.

My heart aches the most for the children I watched step foot in this store, eyes wide as saucers as they flit from tank to tank. I never tired of the questions, of listening to them rattle off impressive facts about fish that even I didn't know, the squeals of glee. It was so fun to partake in the careful selection of new fishy friends to take home with them, the "It's Sunday so we had to stop in her favorite store before we get our groceries," trips, any excuse to step in and slow down was welcome.

To Annalise, Luther, Noah, Theo, Augie, Ira, Otto, Aryton, Ada and so many others, it was an honor to help you in whatever way I could. I hope you all carry your curiosity and wonder with you deep into adulthood and it serves you well!

Thank you to everyone young and old who made this store what it is. For trusting us with your aquatic needs and sticking around for some great conversations. Hopefully I'll still see some of you around town, don't hesitate to say hey! It's been a wild ride, thanks for taking it with us.

Kind Regards and Well Wishes,

Allie

Address

Old Lyme, CT
06371

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+18605989914

Website

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