How many shop at Big Al's?

[SpeedEuphoria]

since this thread is over a year old it may be better to start a new one

[Northern_Reefer]

The Hamilton store is fine for dry goods and setups and staff is quite helpful but their livestock is brutal inmo. Purple tangs turned white with ich and on the verge of starvation, cyno covered main display,dead bta's and their corals YIKES,no thanks... just awful. The Oakville store is by far the best imo but I usually buy from Alternative in Burlington they have fantastic stuff.

[B.Sedore]

i try to shop at the one in newmarket but only 2 of the employees arent total .... bums

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

I just placed a 200$ order at Big Als just now, i'm happy with how much I got at the price.

[ianryeng]

I agree about the newmarket store. For the most part its got a good selection (at least compared to the alternatives in the area) but i no longer ask for advice there and research my purchase before i get there. There are a few good employees but most of them are not aquarists but try to answer anyway (hence how i learned not to ask them lol....)

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

I just got my orders yesterday and today and i'm happy with everything I got from Big als.

[B.Sedore]

Originally Posted by ianryeng

I agree about the newmarket store. For the most part its got a good selection (at least compared to the alternatives in the area) but i no longer ask for advice there and research my purchase before i get there. There are a few good employees but most of them are not aquarists but try to answer anyway (hence how i learned not to ask them lol....)

yeah imagine the look on my face when i asked about a fish and the lady said "i think your right about that... i really dont know... i normally work at tim hortons"

[B.Sedore]

after my negitive feed back i will give some positive... their live rock is Phenominal. bursting with life very very VERY happy with it

-Brad

[brianmac]

Originally Posted by flyjawn

i have to say that i have a love/hate relationship with my local big al's. they definitely have everything i need and they have competitive prices but their advice is RIDICULOUSLY bad.

on at least 6 ocassions when i've asked a question of a staff member, i've gotten flat out wrong answers or terribly poor advice. i now keep my husband at home near the phone so that i can call him and ask him to look things up online if i have any questions.

I am a new member but have been into aquariums since I was a teenager.
Yes you do get alot of bad advice, not only from Big Al's but from many local (Toronto) aquarium dealers.
There is a Marine Biologist in California, his name is Bob Fenner, He is top notch and has a team of people that answer questions on tank problems.
They are all professional & a wealth of information which is on the money!!

The website is free & you can e-mail them with any problems you may have & they will get back to you within a day or so.
They are brutally honest, but will give you rite answer!

The website is www.wetwebmedia.com They do Fresh, Marine, Brackish water, Planted Tanks.

Sorry this was so long, but also hope it may help!

Brian