What are the good shops in Calgary?

[Enigma]

I visited Golds for the first time on Saturday, based on the feedback in this thread.

Holy smokes! Talk about a busy place. I heard one person say to another (in reference to how busy it was) "It's always like this."

I don't like crowds, and I tend to be a bit claustrophobic. What is the best time to go to Golds? I'd like to have a really good browse in there.

I also visited Ocean Creation on Saturday. I picked up a couple of ELOS tests and a fan for my 10 gallon. He did have some interesting stock.

Red Coral seems to be the best place for me. It is so nice and open. I don't panic when I walk through the door. The service is good, and the frags look nice (don't have any yet . . . so my knowledge is limited).

But, I actually do most of my shopping at Pisces. Some of the gents are very knowledgeable (I've figured out who to deal with). Sure, I sometimes pay a bit more (and I do price check on-line alot). But I drive an F250 and live close to Pisces: I'd rather pay a couple of bucks more for a product then pay an extra ten bucks in fuel costs.

I've found that Big Al's is a big waste of my time. Ditto with Riverfront.

[parkinsn]

Originally Posted by Enigma

I visited Golds for the first time on Saturday, based on the feedback in this thread.

Holy smokes! Talk about a busy place. I heard one person say to another (in reference to how busy it was) "It's always like this."

I find the evenings to a little more quiet at Golds. The weekends are always busy for sure. They are closed Thursday's for cleaning but anyother night. Durring the weekdays is really quiet if your job doesnt conflict with that.

[Enigma]

Originally Posted by parkinsn

I find the evenings to a little more quiet at Golds. The weekends are always busy for sure. They are closed Thursday's for cleaning but anyother night. Durring the weekdays is really quiet if your job doesnt conflict with that.

I'm a fulltime+ oil and gas office slave (a cartographer in a legal land survey firm). My job conflicts with everything.

On my next "mental health" day I'll pop by Golds. He said he was getting some Cerith snails in (which I want).

[TheAce]

Originally Posted by Enigma

I visited Golds for the first time on Saturday, based on the feedback in this thread.

Holy smokes! Talk about a busy place. I heard one person say to another (in reference to how busy it was) "It's always like this."

I don't like crowds, and I tend to be a bit claustrophobic. What is the best time to go to Golds? I'd like to have a really good browse in there.

I also visited Ocean Creation on Saturday. I picked up a couple of ELOS tests and a fan for my 10 gallon. He did have some interesting stock.

Red Coral seems to be the best place for me. It is so nice and open. I don't panic when I walk through the door. The service is good, and the frags look nice (don't have any yet . . . so my knowledge is limited).

But, I actually do most of my shopping at Pisces. Some of the gents are very knowledgeable (I've figured out who to deal with). Sure, I sometimes pay a bit more (and I do price check on-line alot). But I drive an F250 and live close to Pisces: I'd rather pay a couple of bucks more for a product then pay an extra ten bucks in fuel costs.

I've found that Big Al's is a big waste of my time. Ditto with Riverfront.

I find Friday early afternoon is the best... they are closed on thursdays because new shipments arrive, so friday afternoon while everyone is working, you get to see the new stock plus its not as hectic