peoples thoughts and opinions on calgary lfs???

[Delphinus]

Well here goes. My thoughts on this..

As I hinted about before - location is important to me. All the stores are clustered in the north. 10 years ago, heck even 5 years ago when Elite Aquatics was still around - it was a possibility for me to do a LFS run in my lunch hour. Today this is simply impossible unless I can afford to be away at my desk for 2-3 hours. And guess what, I can't afford that, I have a job to do and I get in trouble when it doesn't get done. Weekends are worse. Put a family into the mix and your time just isn't there like in the good old days. Let's go to a fish store! Ok, 4 hours later, we're back! ... So yeah, I know people in other places have longer commutes but the fact is if you're OK with it then cool. But I'm not. And guess what? I hardly hit up LFS's anymore because it's just too time consuming. For me the whimsical LFS visit is a thing of the past.

I liked Red Coral because their new location was south-ish. I WAS able to visit there from time to time. But having said that: their location was my favourite feature of the store. Service was great too. But prices and selection were far from ideal. Luckily for them these are/were not huge on my pick-list.

Prices - lower prices are always nice but the truth is that I'm happy to pay a premium for convenience because that matters to me. Within reason, of course - the other fact is that I don't have deep pockets and if something is priced out of reach then I simply won't buy it. It's a hobby, one of many, I don't need to overspend. So lower prices are *appreciated* but far from the most important consideration for me.

In fact, the most important feature for me is cleanliness. More so than location in fact. There is one store that I only check on about once per year these days just to see if anything has changed but everytime I do go in, I am reminded why I never shop there. I will find dead and decomposing fish in several tanks every time. That is disgusting. I see disease there every time. That sickens me. I have been in this hobby a long long time and I know that things happen but this goes beyond that. Things are left to rot in those tanks. You really want to take something home and expose your established livestock to that? Of course you should QT but that goes beyond needing to QT that's more like go straight to the hospital tank. No thanks. The fact that the purveyor of the store isn't the most congenial, doesn't really matter to me. The fact that his prices are consistently the highest out of anywhere else in the city - doesn't help matters but I don't even care because I just won't shop there until I see a reason to.

I like a trip to the huge pet "supermarket" these days because there is always something neat to see - reef related or otherwise - but the 40 km drive in one direction makes it a rare thing for me. Plus the prices are HUGELY up compared to other stores. However, I do shop there from time to time. Plus they have a good selection of FW stuff (I have a planted FW tank as well as my reefs) and they are the only ones I know now who sell those New Era products (tang disks) and I don't know where else to get them - so I go there happily when the opportunity allows for it.

The other "big box" store that's just around the corner from everyone's favourite tank builder - I honestly love this place. Never had an issue with livestock that I've taken home from there. Miss their south store like the DICKENS because it was like 2km from my office, but nothing lasts forever I guess. If I have time I'll poke my head in there and see what's new, sometimes I walk out with something. Usually have a great conversation too with the fish room guys. Bonus points for being next door to a R/C shop too.

There is another store that is dedicated saltwater and I'm always impressed at how clean the tanks are. Drygood selection not huge but I do appreciate the cleanliness more than I think I could ever post about. Kudos to you guys running that store for keeping it clean. I regret that I can't visit more often. Move south, dang it!

There is another store that is cramped but to give credit where credit is due: these guys care a LOT about their fish. I have absolutely no qualms about buying there because I know the guys have done their best to keep their fish healthy. Prices are usually pretty good too though, although this means that nothing stays in the store very long which puts a guy like me who can't visit every day (jeepers bye don't you have a life or a job?) are at a huge buying disadvantage. However, if there's something I want, I'll ask the guys and they do their best to find it for me. Patience is the only required input after that. So that works out well, I find.

And then there's the guy who sells mostly frags out of his basement. Great guy. Great frags. Great times when visiting. And in the south. LOVE. 'Nuff said.

[JDigital]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

The other "big box" store that's just around the corner from everyone's favourite tank builder - I honestly love this place. Never had an issue with livestock that I've taken home from there. Miss their south store like the DICKENS because it was like 2km from my office, but nothing lasts forever I guess. If I have time I'll poke my head in there and see what's new, sometimes I walk out with something. Usually have a great conversation too with the fish room guys. Bonus points for being next door to a R/C shop too.

Very surprised to hear this about that location. Every time I've been in there I have seen rotting fish or fish with some sort of disease. Both of which put me on edge when I'm looking to stock a large tank. Anyways, I digress.


RC really was my go to place and I shopped 99% exclusively there. Now that I'm getting back into the hobby and they are not around (locally), and my favorite tank builder has yet to start selling livestock, I'm going to have to go out of my comfort zone and shop at places I've never been comfortable going to.

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by JDigital

Very surprised to hear this about that location. Every time I've been in there I have seen rotting fish or fish with some sort of disease. Both of which put me on edge when I'm looking to stock a large tank. Anyways, I digress.

That big box store has gotten much better since Andrew started working there, just wish Ryan was there more often & Megan didn't leave. I have never had any issues there either.

Myself personally I would like to be able to get list of available livestock that I can order & not wait a month to arrive. But most of all I also agree with Tony, I like to see what's coming in on shipments with prices on here or website.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by JDigital

And my favorite tank builder has yet to start selling livestock

[dave_C]

RC really was my go to place and I shopped 99% exclusively there. Now that I'm getting back into the hobby and they are not around (locally), and my favorite tank builder has yet to start selling livestock, I'm going to have to go out of my comfort zone and shop at places I've never been comfortable going to.[/quote]



Josh that's only because you haven't dropped by for a visit for a while

Denny aka reefwars has worked hard the last week to get four of our frag tanks up and running last night and the rest we hope to have finish next week or so.

one out of the four frag tanks will be used for a frag trading center and the other units will have stock by the end of next week.

baby steps for now unit we can found a bigger location to move into
just never believed that we would out grow 1700 sq feet in such a short time

thanks Dave

Ps i guess it's as good as any to announce reefwars is joining our team at Concepts

[Enigma]

Dave . . . If you want toys for a play area . . . I'll hook you up!

[Reef_Geek]

Originally Posted by dave@conceptaquatics

RC really was my go to place and I shopped 99% exclusively there. Now that I'm getting back into the hobby and they are not around (locally), and my favorite tank builder has yet to start selling livestock, I'm going to have to go out of my comfort zone and shop at places I've never been comfortable going to.

Josh that's only because you haven't dropped by for a visit for a while

Denny aka reefwars has worked hard the last week to get four of our frag tanks up and running last night and the rest we hope to have finish next week or so.

one out of the four frag tanks will be used for a frag trading center and the other units will have stock by the end of next week.

baby steps for now unit we can found a bigger location to move into
just never believed that we would out grow 1700 sq feet in such a short time

thanks Dave

Ps i guess it's as good as any to announce reefwars is joining our team at Concepts

and boom goes the dynamite...

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by dave@conceptaquatics

Ps i guess it's as good as any to announce reefwars is joining our team at Concepts

thanks dave


so there it is guys , we are currently working hard to create a space at concept that ...lets face it , we really need in calgary.

this thread i started was for some insight about what we need to do to make this a success.

we all have something in common , we are all hobbyst in the saltwater trade and our wants are all similiar, we want healthy livestock,quality goods at a competetive price and a friendly place to visit and feel welcome.

we dont have alot of space but what we have planned with this space i think everyone will enjoy and there will be something for everyone whether its a light upgrade, livestock purchase or custom aquarium build.

i wont release to much for details yet but thats what is is the works, it has already started and as dave mentioned within the next couple of weeks alot will happen


as always thoughts and opinions welcome!!

cheers guys!

[magikof7]

I can't wait for you guys to open! I have a new Reef to fill in.
It's a little discouraging when you just can't find nice corals in this city. or Nice coral that are a decent size frag for a decent price.

[Delphinus]

Best of luck with the venture.