A frustrated rant

I have posted this on LL too. Incase anyone recognizes it. I just want any advice I can get, so I thought I'd toss it up here too

I have recently moved and have just got home from my first trip to scout my LFS's....for those of you who doze of or tune out during my rant, my endpoint is going to be that I need advise about online shopping for livestock with shipping into Ontario...

There are 2 LFS here that I know of. The first one I visited informed me that my 60 gallon was far too small to even attempt a saltwater setup. He insisted that I needed his $2000 one hundred eighty gallon and perhaps I could use my 60 as a sump.
I left.
Next up was a smaller place that I had high hope for. First impressions were that perhaps the corals would open if they had lights on them, and cleaned the sand off them. Then a very nice guy -owner perhaps-came to chat. The things I "learned" form him were (1) that I can keep a porcupine puffer in any tank at least 30 gallons. I just have to get it small, because they won't grow any bigger than the space they have.
(2)Dendrochirus biocellatus lions are the only one that people in the hobby really keep, because the rest are too hard to keep alive
And (3) they are going to remove the dead puffer from the tank tomorrow when they do their tank maintenance.
I left.
I do have another place I am going to check out, it's about a two hour drive, but if am more than willing to make that drive!

So....for the first time, I am seriously looking at buying online. How concerned should I be about having livestock shipped to Canada? I assume most will be coming from much further south, is it too far a distance to consider? Or does anyone know of a more northerly (north easterly, if I can push my luck) place that has a good reputation?

Thanks guys!

 

Robyn, so sorry you had those experiences. I know there are a couple more members on here that live in Canada so they would probably be the best in terms of recommendations for the online vendor. Problem is, and it's a big one, I don't remember exactly who they are I know one is mudbeaver. He's been a hobbyist for a while so he may know. Hopefully others will chime in with recommendations for you.

 

Hey Robyn.
I know I'm in the wrong end of Canada but I know there are alot of good places in Ontario.
There is Canada Corals in Mississauga
Somewhere in the TO area is fragbox.ca
and many more.

Sorry just noticed you are in Kingston. might have to deal with online or go to Ottawa or Mississauga

I would try canreef.ca and check out the sponsors. A lot of in Ontario but all of them are Canadian so you can order live stock from them without Cities

 

Sorry, Another thing you could try.

I (and a lot of people) us the internet and great forums like 3Reef to research hardware and fish and coral. then go to LFS to purchase. This avoids getting the horrible advise from some people who work at LFS. Because, as you found out, a store is a store. their job is to sell you stuff. But if you know what you want going in they can't disappoint you

good Luck and Welcome to 3Reef, you will enjoy it here

 

Sorry about your bad store experience. I've been in the same boat with thinking about ordering online since I can't find anything I've been looking for at my LFS. Mainly a really awesome looking pair of clowns.

I've been looking into Live Aquaria's Diver's Den. They have a WYSIWYG fish section and a 15-day arrive alive guarantee. They also ship from Wisconsin in the US, pretty close to Ontario. Check them out.

 

At least you realized this was not good advice you were getting.

Welcome to 3 Reef!

I'd try the nearest local club/forum first, after you've cycled your tank maybe?

Here in the Milwaukee WI area (not that big, I'm used to Houston TX.), there are a lot of reefers, often selling/trading fish, etc.

 

Sorry to hear of your bad experiences.I hope you are able to find a good source,I have never bought livestock online but I know many other 3reef members have done so with good results.

 

Reefraft canada could ship to you, they have incredible corals.

 

IMOPE, most LFS give bad advice in one area or another to make a sale. I agree with Jason- research first, and go in knowing what you want or need.

I've had excellent experiences with them. Unfortunately, their policy claims they *can't* ship livestock to Hawaii or foreign countries, only the continental 48 and Alaska. I'm guessing it might be a license restriction due to customs issues.

 

urgh! I understand (though i don't accept) the thinking behind fish stores trying to make a buck, but for Gods sake its living things you people have, where is the respect?!. this is one of the reason why i think i would be a poor animal shop keeper. in no way would i sell an animal to just anyone. in fact I'm iffy about this partnership with this LFS here in Geneva who would be interested in buying my baby clowns. iv seen him now in two occasion keep feather star fish.

besides i believe animal stores, like all other shops for that matter, should be able to give accurate and pertinent advice to people who are otherwise clueless and not take advantage of this instead.

"yeah we will clean the dead puffer tomorrow"….moron, you think even for your business its a good show to have tanks with dead stuff floating around?

good on you for going that extra distance to purchase better cared animals, though its sad for the others that end there :s perhaps you can make an occasional "rescue" visit and barter a good price on a not so healthy animal