big al's
Hey Adam, i like it for two reasons, one is that it really is one stop shopping, i find for stuff like gravel, food, tanks themselves, its pretty cheap. If im doing a new set up, especailly if its for someone else, i usually start there as i know most of the fish are high quality. I live in Milton, my local store has about ten tanks, good quality stuff but no selection. I could probably piece a thirty five gallon together at that store, but it would cost about five hundred by the time im done, the just dont have the buying power. By custom orders, its really as to what a store can get. Big al's has their own farm, but sometimes i find its all up to the kid you talk to in the store, as to if he will put in the effort for a request for a custom, go there on a weekday and they usually will help you, thats when the full timers are working. I have to agree with the staff comment, but i find thats only a select few and that goes for anywhere you go these days. That place on the weekends is crazy, i think its a combination of the extreme heat and humidity in there, plus the bombardment of customers. Most of my fish i have bought from a little store called, well maybe formerly called "That Aquarium Place" Theyre in Burlington. I use to know the owner really well, but he sold about six or so months ago. The place has really changed, it looks like the same suppliers for the fish, but the tanks are not really clean anymore. And that im not cool with. Im sure a little algae never hurt anyone, but whats a few seconds to wipe the glass, what about the water changes, and cleaning the filter, most stores only use the sponge with the air stone trick, so if the glass isn't clean........
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