Beginner question for TORONTO based people

[duckdown]

Hey.. I've got a nice 20gal tank, already got about 7 fishes in it, doing great.. I just need to know where to get some better tropical fish here in the toronto-area? I'm not a big fan of Super-Pet's staff (you can tell they're idiots), and Petsmart's okay, but I know theres got to be much better.. Anybody?

 

[Becca]

hey, duck. I'm not from Toronto, but I have a couple of tips that might help you. A friend of mine says he grabs the yellow pages and scopes out the different fish stores in his area. He makes a list of the ones he'd like to visit and sets aside some time to go from store to store every now and then.

While he's at the store, he takes into account the cleanliness of the store, the overall look of the tank, how happy the fish look, are they stocked and labeled well, etc. He also asks the sales people questions he already knows the answers to just to get a feel for their knowledge.

In addition, if you're looking to see how clean their water and healthy their fish are, one of the books I have recommends 2 things. 1) Asking the clerk to feed a tank of fish. If the fish are all interested in the food, then chances are they're doing decently. 2) Ask the store for some of their substrate to help seed your tank. Get teh tank home and test the water.

I've not tried either of the suggestions from the book, but I have with the suggestions from my friend and I've found (though with a bit of searching) a couple of great fish stores in my area.

Hope this helps.

 

[Fiddlesticks]

While he's at the store, he takes into account the cleanliness of the store, the overall look of the tank, how happy the fish look, are they stocked and labeled well, etc. He also asks the sales people questions he already knows the answers to just to get a feel for their knowledge.

Good advise Becca.
I have bought my fish at big als at Kennedy and Ellesmere, and at north american fish breeders on Kingston rd and Midland. Both in Scarborough. The big als on Kennedy does actually have some staff that knows what their talking abou, but not all of them do. So research lots. And do ask some questions you already know the answer to.

 

[boozybears]

Hi duckdown! I'm from Mississauga so maybe it's too far out for you... but I also prefer Big Al's (I go to the one in Brampton). They have a great selection and their tanks are well maintained. Most of the staff are pretty knowledgeable too. Petsmart can be ok depending on which one you go to... they do have the better guarantee - if the fish dies in 14 days you get a free replacement. At Big Al's you only have 5 days and then just 1/2 price replacement.

I haven't had problems with either one though

good luck!
Val

 

[cutecotton]

hey, i'm sorta near the toronto area and i usually go to big Als for my fish, sometimes petsmarts too

 

[rjarcher]

Im in niagara and have a friend in burlington and he only goes to big als he loves the place! I however prefer my little mom and pop shops. My LFS I goto on a regular is smaller than my house, but he has about 100 tanks and they are so clean u can see through to the other end of 10 tanks which is pretty damn clean. I have bought fish from walmart petsamrt and big als and I believe the little stores have the best customer service and quality just my opinion not bashing the superstore.

P.s How i make one of those list with all my fish and tanks

B) RJArcher

 

[tstenback]

Im in niagara and have a friend in burlington and he only goes to big als he loves the place! I however prefer my little mom and pop shops. My LFS I goto on a regular is smaller than my house, but he has about 100 tanks and they are so clean u can see through to the other end of 10 tanks which is pretty damn clean. I have bought fish from walmart petsamrt and big als and I believe the little stores have the best customer service and quality just my opinion not bashing the superstore.

P.s How i make one of those list with all my fish and tanks

B) RJArcher

select My Controls at the top of the screen then edit my signature.

 

[duckdown]

Thanks for all the help guys..

I just came from the Big Al's here in Brampton at Queen & Kennedy, and yeah, they had a ton of cool fish.. If I could just figure out why my water turned so cloudy after my last water change now..

 

[rjarcher]

did u do a full cycle? Probaly a algae bloom if theres no fish in it! But I'm a newbie so take it for what its worth.

 

[tstenback]

What are your water parameters? What color is the cloud, whitish(i think that's a word) or greenish?