How many shop at Big Al's? - Aquarium Advice

Shelby_Tempo_GT · 12-03-2006, 05:22 PM

Just curious how many go to the physical stores.

Having gone to a number of LFS and PetsMart outlets, I prefer my local Big Al's.

I give that guy almost as much money as my local Tim Horton's

BillD · 12-04-2006, 09:58 AM

Around here, it is the best choice overall.

flyjawn · 12-11-2006, 09:43 AM

yup, i spend a ridiculous amount of money at big al's. very ocassionally i will go to a petsmart or to super pet but 9/10 it's big al's.

my husband says he should just have his paycheque direct deposited into big al's bank account.

WaterPond · 12-27-2006, 02:21 PM

i went there for the first time about month ago. Wasn't impressed at all! 75% of the tanks were marked NFS. They had good priced though. This was the one in London ontario. Hopefully iy will be better next time i got back.

BillD · 12-27-2006, 03:38 PM

They have a heck of a sale on right now http://www.pnaquaria.com/forum/showt...threadid=83120 . If there were a lot of NFS tanks, it was because they were just stocked up. The Whitby store was plugged right up with all the stuff they brought in for the sale.

Toirtis · 12-28-2006, 03:17 AM

Our local franchise in Calgary was rather poor, and thanks to bad management, closed about a year ago...the Edmonton franchise is quite the opposite, and well worth the visit...I try to stop in there at least 1-2 times each month when I am up there.

Hyrules · 12-28-2006, 04:24 PM

I buy the majority of my aquarium stuff there. My closesest is Ottawa East. They have great selection and alot of stuff.

flyjawn · 12-28-2006, 09:09 PM

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.

**Zagz** · 12-28-2006, 09:18 PM

Unfortunately no Big Al's anywhere near me.

Glenc · 12-28-2006, 11:56 PM

I love BA, great if you are into planted tanks. They have the best selection of plants, substrate and C02 gear anywhere. The advice can be good or bad, depending on who you talk to. Some folks just like to hear themselves talk, others know what they are talking about. If you can find someone that knows thier stuff, stick with them! I am lucky as I live near the biggest BA in Canada, always well stocked and mostly good, experienced staff.
Hello all by the way, been around here for a year and just now thought to join the Canadian troop!

12-03-2006, 05:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Shelby_Tempo_GT Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: GTA Posts: 72	How many shop at Big Al's? Just curious how many go to the physical stores. Having gone to a number of LFS and PetsMart outlets, I prefer my local Big Al's. I give that guy almost as much money as my local Tim Horton's

12-04-2006, 09:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
BillD Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Whitby, Ont,Canada Posts: 868	Around here, it is the best choice overall. __________________ Join a fish club. Don't have one in your area? Start one.

12-11-2006, 09:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
flyjawn Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 116 Images: 1	yup, i spend a ridiculous amount of money at big al's. very ocassionally i will go to a petsmart or to super pet but 9/10 it's big al's. my husband says he should just have his paycheque direct deposited into big al's bank account. __________________ 20 gallon low tech planted 2 rams, 2 corys, 2 otos, 8 cardinals, 6 red phantoms, 6 lemon tetras.

12-27-2006, 02:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
WaterPond Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Corunna, Ontario (outside of sarnia) Posts: 2,616 Images: 5	i went there for the first time about month ago. Wasn't impressed at all! 75% of the tanks were marked NFS. They had good priced though. This was the one in London ontario. Hopefully iy will be better next time i got back. __________________ Jason Canadian Aquarium Auction!

12-27-2006, 03:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
BillD Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Whitby, Ont,Canada Posts: 868	They have a heck of a sale on right now http://www.pnaquaria.com/forum/showt...threadid=83120 . If there were a lot of NFS tanks, it was because they were just stocked up. The Whitby store was plugged right up with all the stuff they brought in for the sale. __________________ Join a fish club. Don't have one in your area? Start one.

12-28-2006, 03:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
Toirtis Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,769	Our local franchise in Calgary was rather poor, and thanks to bad management, closed about a year ago...the Edmonton franchise is quite the opposite, and well worth the visit...I try to stop in there at least 1-2 times each month when I am up there. __________________ G. A. Christian Bilou, Zoologist/Writer Founder/Director, Reptile Rescue Alberta Vice-President, Calgary Aquarium Society www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com Polypterid/Primitive Fish/Ctenopoma/Catfish Fanatic 62 Aquariums, 2200+ total gallons, Aquarist since 1971.

12-28-2006, 04:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
Hyrules Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gatineau, Quebec, Canada Posts: 155 Images: 1	I buy the majority of my aquarium stuff there. My closesest is Ottawa East. They have great selection and alot of stuff. __________________ - Amateur Aquarium keeper - Amateur Astronomer RAAOQ - Violent Weather Amateur - Computer Technologist / Technician 75 Gallon tank 2x Kissing Gouramis, 1x Red Dwarf Gouramis, 1x Pleco

12-28-2006, 09:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
flyjawn Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 116 Images: 1	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. __________________ 20 gallon low tech planted 2 rams, 2 corys, 2 otos, 8 cardinals, 6 red phantoms, 6 lemon tetras.

12-28-2006, 09:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
Zagz Aquarium Advice Addict Community Admin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 9,968 Images: 75	Unfortunately no Big Al's anywhere near me. __________________ Anne My Profile Page My tank & fish photos Have you voted for AA today?

12-28-2006, 11:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
Glenc Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,039	I love BA, great if you are into planted tanks. They have the best selection of plants, substrate and C02 gear anywhere. The advice can be good or bad, depending on who you talk to. Some folks just like to hear themselves talk, others know what they are talking about. If you can find someone that knows thier stuff, stick with them! I am lucky as I live near the biggest BA in Canada, always well stocked and mostly good, experienced staff. Hello all by the way, been around here for a year and just now thought to join the Canadian troop! __________________ 125 gallon, Crypt green gecko, Crypt undulata "broad leaf" Lobelia cardinalis small and large form. Java fern, H.corymbosa "compact" Crypt parva, Downoi, Althernanthera lilacina. 2x 150 Wt Metal Halide, 2x 65 Wt CF

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