About
Fish Geeks in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania is essentially one man's deep passion turned into a thriving aquarium maintenance operation — and that man is Mike. With roughly a decade of loyal clients and a reputation that stretches well beyond central PA, Fish Geeks has built its name on something increasingly rare: genuine, personalized expertise delivered with patience and enthusiasm. The core of what Fish Geeks does is saltwater and freshwater aquarium setup and ongoing maintenance.
Mike has built reef tanks from scratch, rescued crashed saltwater systems, and walked countless newcomers through the complexities of reef keeping — from equipment selection to livestock stocking, including clownfish pairs and live coral. He's equally comfortable troubleshooting a freshwater ammonia spike over the phone at 8 PM on a holiday as he is doing a hands-on spring cleanout of a koi pond. That flexibility defines the business: Mike and his team (David and Kameron get regular shoutouts) respond to calls, texts, and questions with a speed and depth that big-box stores simply can't match.
Reviewers consistently mention the in-depth phone conversations — sometimes 45 minutes or longer — covering everything from sick jaguars to axolotl care to black beard algae problems to turtle tank maintenance. One customer credits Mike with saving their pleco from a remote area with no local fish experts. Another describes how Fish Geeks helped them recover from a devastating bacteria outbreak that threatened an entire tank.
Pond services are another strong suit. Multiple homeowners who inherited koi ponds they knew nothing about found Fish Geeks indispensable for getting through winter and bringing their ponds back to health in spring. The team provides honest assessments and doesn't push expensive solutions when simpler ones will work.
The operation feels more like a trusted mentor relationship than a transactional service call. Mike's infectious enthusiasm for aquatic life — saltwater reef systems, freshwater community tanks, and backyard koi ponds alike — is what keeps customers coming back for years. For anyone in the Mechanicsburg area dealing with a tank crisis or dreaming of a new setup, Fish Geeks delivers real expertise backed by genuine care.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Responsive after-hours support including phone and text troubleshooting on holidays
- Saltwater reef tank builds and full system setup from scratch
- Koi pond maintenance including spring cleanouts and winterization guidance
- Long-term maintenance relationships spanning 10+ years with loyal clients
- Personalized consultations covering freshwater, saltwater, and specialty species like axolotls
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Being out of Mike's area did not stop him from providing amazing service! He was able to help troubleshoot our problems via phone and text. Wish we lived closer to have him in for regular tank maintenance but would absolutely recommend anyone to him!”
— Dana Rippman5.06 months ago“Amazing knowledge and assistance received. We have a sick Jaguar and they spent 45 minutes helping us out at 8pm on a holiday. 1000% recommend. If you need help with your fish tanks- these are your people!!”
— Erin Lysaght5.06 months ago“Knowledgeable called in with questions for axolotls and was able to get lots of help”
— Anthony James5.08 months ago“Originally did a great job and charged me $150 for a water change out only and cleaned all my own plants and ornaments and filter. Tried to Mike to come out multiple times but didn’t return call or text. Finally got in touch with him yesterday and here is the response I got “ One time service I haven't seen you in a long time!!; 330.00 .. I can put you on for around noon next Tuesday.. just let me know I do still have your address” Can you say price gouging ! And I responded I would do $200 and he blocked me Amazing”
— Mickey Rapp1.08 months ago“Wonderful customer service. Mike, David, and Kameron are all fantastic and more than happy to share their knowledge with you. I had a koi pond I knew nothing about and they helped me make it through the winter until I could get them to do a spring clean out. The pond is healthy and looks fantastic, and they all are very responsive and kind. Highly recommend.”
— Janelle Barbera5.010 months ago“Mike is extremely knowledgeable about aquatic life. He took the time to explain and answer every question I had about the reef hobby. He set me up with a tools necessary to get started and made sure I was confident and set up for success in the future. I highly recommend Fish Geeks to anyone. Lastly, Mike is just all around good person and a pleasure to be around.”
— Matthew Davis5.010 months ago“Incredibly knowledgeable! Has helped me tremendously, and doesn’t just recommend the most expensive things. 10/10!”
— Maura Pierce5.011 months ago“These guys are the most helpful and knowledgeable fish hobbyists and experts everrrr. I’ve had in depth conversations via phone and texts about everything under the sun. I’m new to the hobby and my fish are thriving. I was ill advised by my local pet store and currently have an overstocked 3 gallon tank which is not doing me and my fish any favors so I am incredibly grateful for their help. Currently helping me with setting up my 20 gallon long tank and I can’t wait to see how it turns out thanks to their guidance!”
— Ariana Mundy5.011 months ago“Mike has been a ginormous help with starting my new fish tank! Very knowledgable and even more kind! I recommend mike and fish geeks for all your aquarium needs!!!”
— Mason Kline5.011 months ago“I called for assistance on a ammonia spike and this man was very knowledgeable about everything”
— Alfredo Castro5.0a year ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (717) 599-2122 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Fish Geeks aquarium maintenance.