So I go out saturday to get all the goodies to finish the project...have a list of petshops (7 within a 40 mile radius), shopping list, a full tank of gas, and my girls to assist...I'm excited, the tank is home, I can see you has what for my stock list ,and I'm ready to finish.....WRONG...
Shop #1(the closest at 20 miles) has a good selection of equipment, except for pumps (the smallest was an ocean runner @ 900gph, way too big)...looking at the fish I notice a tank full of SEA's, gorging on their fallen friends...told them to clean their tanks as we left the store...
Store #2 has no equipment what so ever, but had an excellent selection of healthy looking fish both fresh and salt... will go back when I'm ready for stock.
Store # 3 out of business.
Store #4 felt like noahs ark in a shoebox...limited selection of overpriced equipment...no pumps...crowded tanks...feeders looked the healthiest.
Store #5 Petco... smelt like a freshly clean swimming pool (seriously,,,burned my nose)...decor beat out equipment 10 to 1...again, no pumps...lots of tanks but hardly any fish.
Store #6 limited equipment...no pumps....daughter says "OMG look at these"...polka dot platies...we just leave.
Store #7 Petsmart...been there before...actually my best bet....good selection of equipment, but of course, no pumps....fish look good...kid talks like he has at least read a book about fish...we leave with a new air pump some air fittings and a test kit...not a total loss.
We continue on to Wallyworld, Menards and Home Depot...get the PVC,and Electrical fittings we need....even looked for a sump, or pond pump...still no luck...
so here we sit I had to order the parts we need to finish...wont see that for another week...I want to test everything out on the 55 before I commit them to the Corian, but Iv'e built all that I can without the pumps...I'm stalled, and getting restless...not to mention a little depressed about whats available locally (if you consider 40 mile locally....LOL)