There was some concern awhile back, that we weren't allowed to "bash" an LFS we were unimpressed with. I think we are able to tell of our impressions of the retailers, just not say things like "Big Ed's sucks" for example.
With that in mind, I will say that I have been to Gold's Aquariums once, and saw nice corals (LPS mainly) at the best prices I've seen in Calgary. Came home with 3.
I am not impressed with Big Al's from my limited dealings with them, and I will avoid that store for the most part. The animals are not of the apparent quality I look for, and their prices seem high to me.
I am not impressed with Pisces from my dealings with them, and will avoid that store for the most part. Their livestock appears for the most part on the verge, and the prices seem high to me.
I am not impressed with Wai's from my years of dealings with them, and I will avoid that store for the most part. I have bought more than a few fish from Wai's over years, and have learned to be exceedingly careful when picking any animal from there, as the tanks seem to have as many sick and dying fish as healthy-looking. The prices are way out of my range for the most part.
I am marginally impressed with Ocean Aquarium from my limited dealings there, but I will avoid that store for the most part. They do however have some reasonable prices on occasion, and some interesting corals.
I have had excellent success in my limited dealings with J&L Aquatics and Saltwater Connection for mail orders. Their livestock seems to be of the high quality I expect, and their prices are reasonable.
These are my opinions only, based on my impressions of the various stores - hardly enough to make a fair judgment. Take them with a grain of salt. And beware...
