Oh the wonderful LFS in Calgary - Aquarium Advice

SerLunchbox · 12-17-2004, 11:10 AM

Just wondering if anyone can tell me of some fish stores to stay away from in Calgary. I have one that i generally stay away from already. I was just wondering if there were any other stores that i should stay away from. I am sure there is a lot in this city so i am not sure where to go at times to get some of the fish i crave for (all freshwater for now)

Toirtis · 12-17-2004, 11:14 AM

How about I do precisely the opposite....these are the stores that get 99% of my [acronym:44ee5d1fd5="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:44ee5d1fd5] business:

Gold Aquariums
Riverfront Aquariums
Franco's Aquariums
Tanks Alot
Pisces Pets
Chums Aquariums
Petland Westhills

Generally, I stay away from virtually all the chain/franchise shops.

Menagerie · 12-17-2004, 12:22 PM

I love Tanks A Lot for cichlids! Gary is very knowledgable, but only works M-Th 12-9pm. I find Pisces and Riverfront hint and miss, although, I do shop Pisces because I can pick up all my animal care needs with 10% off. Stay away from Big Als.

SerLunchbox · 12-17-2004, 01:37 PM

I stay away from al's for my livestock. Their tanks, to me, don't look up to par except for those in the front room that are on display as if to say "your tank can look like this as well". Only thing i use al's for is their boxing day sales. But i am sure there are better deals out there. I used to go to al's for my livestock, but not anymore. In 90% of the fish i got from them, they died. and it wasn't my water. i test it all the time. Since stopping to buy fish from them, none have died except due to any fighting deaths. I just find it interesting. Then again, Al's is a bad choice but that is just my opinion especially after dealing with them.

Toirtis · 12-17-2004, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SerLunchbox

Only thing i use al's for is their boxing day sales. But i am sure there are better deals out there.

I got their boxing day flyer today...I was not impressed.

Menagerie · 12-18-2004, 12:49 AM

Quote:

I got their boxing day flyer today...I was not impressed.

Glad I wasn't the only one

SerLunchbox · 12-18-2004, 03:11 AM

is it really that bad? You know i signed up to get it and all that ... not to mention :reminders for new live stock arrival" and i never get anything from them. I really need to get a small quarantine tank going now ... i am kicking myself for giving my 10 gallon away ... i could have used that as a quarantine tank. you can all cyber smack me for that.

Cafe Jeff · 12-18-2004, 06:48 AM

Funny you should say that. I haven't had great luck with the livestock I have purchased from Big Al's here in Toronto either. Jeff
Anyway, to keep this thread on target, I am going to start another about where people like to buy fishy stuff in Toronto. Jeff

Toirtis · 12-18-2004, 01:58 PM

The Big Al's stores in Canada are all franchises, and each can be very different...the one in Edmonton is actually pretty good when it comes to interesting dry goods and healthy livestock.

SerLunchbox · 12-18-2004, 02:24 PM

i will agree .. the edmonton one is awesome .... i can't say much for the livestock health as i haven't done that yet, but the store is so much better for dry goods etc.

12-17-2004, 11:10 AM	#1
SerLunchbox Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,526 Images: 1	Oh the wonderful LFS in Calgary Just wondering if anyone can tell me of some fish stores to stay away from in Calgary. I have one that i generally stay away from already. I was just wondering if there were any other stores that i should stay away from. I am sure there is a lot in this city so i am not sure where to go at times to get some of the fish i crave for (all freshwater for now) __________________ Lunchbox ... "i'm a man, but i can change, if i have to, i guess" Tankless ... for now ... until i find what i really want (and what the wife lets me get!)

12-17-2004, 11:14 AM	#2
Toirtis Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,768	How about I do precisely the opposite....these are the stores that get 99% of my [acronym:44ee5d1fd5="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:44ee5d1fd5] business: Gold Aquariums Riverfront Aquariums Franco's Aquariums Tanks Alot Pisces Pets Chums Aquariums Petland Westhills Generally, I stay away from virtually all the chain/franchise shops. __________________ 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.

12-17-2004, 12:22 PM	#3
Menagerie Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 11,246 Images: 77	I love Tanks A Lot for cichlids! Gary is very knowledgable, but only works M-Th 12-9pm. I find Pisces and Riverfront hint and miss, although, I do shop Pisces because I can pick up all my animal care needs with 10% off. Stay away from Big Als. __________________

12-17-2004, 01:37 PM	#4
SerLunchbox Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,526 Images: 1	I stay away from al's for my livestock. Their tanks, to me, don't look up to par except for those in the front room that are on display as if to say "your tank can look like this as well". Only thing i use al's for is their boxing day sales. But i am sure there are better deals out there. I used to go to al's for my livestock, but not anymore. In 90% of the fish i got from them, they died. and it wasn't my water. i test it all the time. Since stopping to buy fish from them, none have died except due to any fighting deaths. I just find it interesting. Then again, Al's is a bad choice but that is just my opinion especially after dealing with them. __________________ Lunchbox ... "i'm a man, but i can change, if i have to, i guess" Tankless ... for now ... until i find what i really want (and what the wife lets me get!)

12-18-2004, 03:11 AM	#7
SerLunchbox Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,526 Images: 1	is it really that bad? You know i signed up to get it and all that ... not to mention :reminders for new live stock arrival" and i never get anything from them. I really need to get a small quarantine tank going now ... i am kicking myself for giving my 10 gallon away ... i could have used that as a quarantine tank. you can all cyber smack me for that. __________________ Lunchbox ... "i'm a man, but i can change, if i have to, i guess" Tankless ... for now ... until i find what i really want (and what the wife lets me get!)

12-18-2004, 06:48 AM	#8
Cafe Jeff Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 511	Funny you should say that. I haven't had great luck with the livestock I have purchased from Big Al's here in Toronto either. Jeff Anyway, to keep this thread on target, I am going to start another about where people like to buy fishy stuff in Toronto. Jeff __________________ In theory there should be no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.

12-18-2004, 01:58 PM	#9
Toirtis Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,768	The Big Al's stores in Canada are all franchises, and each can be very different...the one in Edmonton is actually pretty good when it comes to interesting dry goods and healthy livestock. __________________ 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.

12-18-2004, 02:24 PM	#10
SerLunchbox Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,526 Images: 1	i will agree .. the edmonton one is awesome .... i can't say much for the livestock health as i haven't done that yet, but the store is so much better for dry goods etc. __________________ Lunchbox ... "i'm a man, but i can change, if i have to, i guess" Tankless ... for now ... until i find what i really want (and what the wife lets me get!)

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