Dear old United States

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Sounds like you just don't know where to look, hardware stores are poor suppliers of PVC fittings the fact you'd expect them to carry odd ball fittings is just silly. Big chain stores don't carry everything for good reason, inventory costs money and higher overhead means higher prices. The type of fitting you're looking doesn't get used in typical "hardware store" applications but that's where specialty stores come in. There are many plumbing stores throughout Canada that carry everything you need, even in small towns I've managed to find pretty much everything. Also not sure why service would be better in the states from Canada, I think we get much better service in our own country.

^ this. Western pump at least here in calgary is just that. Cheaper than the big box stores too. Save money and pretty much any part you could ever need.

[AdamsB]

I shop online mostly, I spend probably 25% in the states. Mostly BRS but recently used Dr fosters for salt as well as being able to get dog and cat things all in one place. My first purchase was a light unit from fish need it in the states for my 20 gallon, cost was the only factor. 24 inch 4 bulb t5ho with bulbs was $180 I believe. Locally I could get a 2 bulb for 150.

Now I shop online for what I need and as long as it's not a huge % difference I don't consider the price to be a determining factor to pick state or canada side. I like J&L for a very fast and free delivery. Recently ordered DI resin and gfo from reef supplies.ca and soon will be getting a wp40 from Nick at reefsupplycanada. Not to mention the money I drop on MJC

But for me online is the only way to go. I spend at most 5% of my reefing dollars locally because of price, selection and quality. Occasionally I see something nice but very seldom.

[Aquattro]

I ordered 8 pairs of runners out of the US last year, my preferred shoe was on sale for about 30% of cost here, so well worth it. Purely a cost issue. Well, that color was also only available in the US..

[Starry]

I dont actually GO there. But I do usually hit the boxing day sales online for certain items.

[Parker]

I don't typically order reef related items online, I'm more of a right now kind of guy. I tend to support one store ( when the tank is running ) and they have always treated me fair with pricing and service.

[neoh]

Corix Water Products
2446 Leitrim Rd, Gloucester, ON K1T 3V3 ‎

They have a walk-in wholesale joint to get just one or two pieces of any kind of plumbing you need. Gate valves, the works. And it's a couple minutes out of Ottawa.

Call them and make sure they do it - they do here in Richmond, but - who knows.

[monocus]

Originally Posted by Treebeard View Post
I am reserving judgement until someone can tell me where I can find this in Strathmore or Calgary.

Clear netting

Not interested in the garden variety gray or green stuff with 1/2 holes. Hell, for that matter, tell me where I can order it from an online Canadian shop.

try a hobby store for hook carpets.just because we are into a specific hobby ,doesn't mean we can't utilize other materials.

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Sounds like you just don't know where to look, hardware stores are poor suppliers of PVC fittings the fact you'd expect them to carry odd ball fittings is just silly. Big chain stores don't carry everything for good reason, inventory costs money and higher overhead means higher prices. The type of fitting you're looking doesn't get used in typical "hardware store" applications but that's where specialty stores come in. There are many plumbing stores throughout Canada that carry everything you need, even in small towns I've managed to find pretty much everything. Also not sure why service would be better in the states from Canada, I think we get much better service in our own country.

+1. I do not think there is anything you can't get here.

As for Internet. It's called expedited or overnight shipping. You can get your stuff fast.

I only order from the USA when I can't turn my back on a ridiculous low price.

Which is only rarely.

Any shop up here can get you what you need. Otherwise I do not know how they could set up new tanks for customers.

USA = cost saving only. Not supply.

As for plumbing supplies, maybe contact a plumber. They may help you find a distributor.

[asylumdown]

I don't go there specifically for aquarium stuff, but when I go to our place in California I make sure to stock up on anything from BRS or any of the other online vendors that charge you almost the price of the item you want in shipping to send to Canada, when it's more often than not free down there.

Really, it's not the stores in the US that have things that we don't, it's the online stores that I wish I had better access to without having to pay exorbitant shipping and duty fees. This is true for online shopping in the US compared to Canada in general. But especially for things like livestock that US retailers simply will not ship to Canada and are a massive hassle to bring across the border with you... Man do I wish we had access to LiveAquaria in Canada. There were times in my reefing career (not today) where I would have spent 1000 or more on one of the rare fish in the Divers Den.

It's getting better in Canada with store like MadJelly and Canada Corals, making some of the higher end corals more accessible without having to hope that you can find them through the informal frag trade, but there are certain products you just can't get in Canada. There's quite a few brands or lines of fish food that you can't get here because it's onerous for the companies that make them to get it approved for Canadian markets, and I'm pretty sure Otohime is just plain banned in Canada.

[hillegom]

I give up
What is Otohime