Recommendations for Saltwater Supplies

[Julie]

Reefers, where do you purchase your supplies?
Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Julie

[rockgarden]

On the Ottawa side of the river, Marinescape on Carling specialize in marine fish, coral, live rock and related supplies.  Staff are laid back, knowledgeable and willing to answer questions (Keith, Mark and Rob). Here you are dealing directly with the owners so it is not hard to find someone in authority to complain to if you are unhappy.  In my experience, prices tend to be less than Big Al's regular prices and live stock tends to be in good condition. Hermit crabs arrive on Fridays. Note, however, that Marinescape are not open late, are not open on Sundays and Mondays and normally close for three days on long weekends so if you have a late night or weekend desire to go shopping for marine stuff you might find yourself heading to Big Al's (Aquarium Services)

http://www.marinescape.ca/

Big Al's (Aquarium Services) has stores in the East on Innes and in Kanata by Boston Pizza in the mall. I have purchased marine livestock from both BA outlets but have found that staff knowledge is highly variable depending on who is on duty in the marine section at any given time. From time to time, they receive some interesting or unique livestock items or have worthwhile specials on certain fish or corals.

http://www.bigalscanada.com/fish_specials/fishspecmain.html

On the Quebec side of the river, Ivan runs AquariaCanada from his basement (visit by appointment), hosts an excellent web forum and ships anywhere.  His basement is primarily wall-to-wall salt water. In my experience,  his prices, knowledge and service are all good.

http://aquariacanada.com/

Besides Ivan's operation, there are a growing number of on-line sources of marine dry goods and livestock that ship into Ottawa but I haven't had sufficient personal experience with them to provide specific recommendations.

There are a large number of on-line sources of information.  Most of the better information sources are nicely laid out at the web site of the Marine Aquarium Society of Toronto.

http://www.mastcanada.org/Assets/Html/Core/Links.htm

As with any hobby, many hobbyists sell their excess stock of fish or coral and unwanted items privately as well.  What is available through this channel depends on the individuals and what they might have in their tanks at any given point in time. The Marine Aquarium Society of Ottawa (MASO) holds informal meetings every so often.  The next meeting is in Rockland in January.

Hope this helps with respect to retail and marine links in general.

Ron

[Aiglos]

Good post Ron  1+ ;

I know you frequent the classifieds here but I find there are AMAZING deals here;  Patman was just selling a new bucket of salt and hydrometer great deal.  

good luck