Palmetto Reef

Palmetto Reef in West Columbia, South Carolina has built a devoted following among saltwater hobbyists across the Southeast — and some customers drive an hour or more to prove it. This is a reef-focused shop with a massive selection of corals, from GSP and zoa frags to pipe organ and pink goniopora, plus mushrooms rare enough that a Florida customer couldn't find them locally and ordered online instead. The store's live rock selection, including Great Barrier Reef Rock, draws particular praise for adding natural, striking aesthetics to reef tanks.

The staff, led by Will and Ashton, are the kind of reef geeks who will spend real time walking you through coral growth patterns, explaining modern sump and filtration systems, and helping you plan a full saltwater conversion for your 75-gallon tank. Multiple reviewers highlight the one-on-one attention — a sharp contrast to other area shops where nobody even says hello. One couple setting up a seahorse tank had the Palmetto Reef team come to their home for installation, and Will was responsive by phone that same evening when questions came up.

The coral and fish in the store look genuinely healthy, and the tanks are immaculately maintained. Pricing is generally considered fair, though a few note it can run slightly high on certain pieces. Beyond the physical storefront, Palmetto Reef ships coral with impressive care — next-day delivery, excellent packaging, and communication that puts anxious first-time online buyers at ease.

While the shop is overwhelmingly saltwater-oriented, they also field questions about freshwater setups and have helped at least one customer with pond supplies. The atmosphere is welcoming and low-pressure; the team clearly loves the hobby and it shows in every interaction. For anyone in the Columbia, South Carolina area building or maintaining a reef tank, Palmetto Reef is the kind of local shop that earns loyalty through genuine expertise and care.