Toronto LFS?

[hunggi74]

Hello everyone. I am visiting Toronto in July and was wondering if there were any LFS there that I should hit up? We have a great LFS here in JL but that's about it IMO. I don't mind driving around the GTA area to see some nice LFS.
Also, do vendors like MJC, Frag Cave let people come in to see their set up and shop for frags in person?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

[DAVE]

Hello everyone. I am visiting Toronto in July and was wondering if there were any LFS there that I should hit up? We have a great LFS here in JL but that's about it IMO. I don't mind driving around the GTA area to see some nice LFS.
Also, do vendors like MJC, Frag Cave let people come in to see their set up and shop for frags in person?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!


Yup, they will all let you come by and take a look. TO is the mecca for corals in Canada, you won't find a better selection and prices in such a concentrated area.

Retail stores

Aquatic Kingdom
Reef Raft (he will open for you, but you will have to call)
Rivers2Oceans
Dragon Aquarium
Canada Corals

All those stores are within 5-10minutes of each other

There is also

Advanced Reef Aquatics
SUM
NAFB
Coral Reef Shop

They are just on the outskirts of TO, but worth the drive. All the stores are 1 hour or less from Pearson Airport

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Not sure but I don't think the airlines will take corals back in as part of your luggage allowance. Something about sw and metal planes. Years ago, they made my friend use a shipping company to send her stuff back. You should check before making purchases. If you are allowed and are willing to bring back some for fellow Lower Mainlanders, please let me know :wink::wink::wink:

[wickedfrags]

I would go as far as to say North America. California has been buying corals from us for years. We are very fortunate.

TO is the mecca for corals in Canada, you won't find a better selection and prices in such a concentrated area.

[DAVE]

I would go as far as to say North America. California has been buying corals from us for years. We are very fortunate.


Ya, it goes back and forth, RR deserves most (if not all) of the credit, they are the ones that bring in the corals the US wants. Bigger market in the US so they pay the higher prices.

[NickC]

Cool I didnt even know canada corals was based out of toronto. Thank you. Great list of stores you put. I would also check out fragbox as well as mjc. Also see if you can check out reef aquatica. Its online but theyll let you visit. Hands down one of the craziest collections of clownfish you will see. He has so many varieties its so cool to see them in person.

Sent from my SGH-I257M using Tapatalk

[hunggi74]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
Dave, I'm going to print that list you put up and mark all the LFS on my map. Question, what is SUM and NAFB? I know we will be heading out to Niagra during the visit and Hamilton is on the way:biggrin:

I will have to get a hold of MJC and the other vendors to see where they are and what times are good for them.

As for bringing corals back. If I see something I absolutely have to have, I'll buy and have vendor ship to Vancouver I guess. My sister and her husband are both customs agents so I will have to ask them what I can and cannot bring on a plane with me back. He's a supervisor at Pearson so maybe he could help me out:lol:

If it turns out that I can bring certain corals back, I'll be sure to post on this thread.

[DAVE]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
Dave, I'm going to print that list you put up and mark all the LFS on my map. Question, what is SUM and NAFB? I know we will be heading out to Niagra during the visit and Hamilton is on the way:biggrin:

I will have to get a hold of MJC and the other vendors to see where they are and what times are good for them.

As for bringing corals back. If I see something I absolutely have to have, I'll buy and have vendor ship to Vancouver I guess. My sister and her husband are both customs agents so I will have to ask them what I can and cannot bring on a plane with me back. He's a supervisor at Pearson so maybe he could help me out:lol:

If it turns out that I can bring certain corals back, I'll be sure to post on this thread.

SUM = Sea U Marine (located in Markham)
NAFB = North American Fish Breeders (located in Scarborough)

Both are worth the visit, as they are probably the cheapest places to purchase corals/fish. They don't necessarily have the high end, ultra pieces (these are fast picked over within the first hours of a new shipment), but there is always a gem or two that can be found and prices are always good.

If you are heading to Niagara, there is definitely a sleeper store in Hamilton (2 min off the QEW), I won't say much about this guy, but I don't think you will be disappointment with a visit ;)

[Taipan]

IF our schedules coincide; I'd be glad to play tour guide for you and we can make a roadtrip out of it. All the stores Hydrologist has mentioned are worth visiting. We will of course....visit that funny fella in the Hamilton/Niagara area (bring your sunglasses - corals are blinding). ;)

I've been fortunate to meet a few CanReef members in the past. It's always nice to meet and chat with a fellow hobbyist.

I'll try my best and have the stores open for you ;)

[Spyd]

IF our schedules coincide; I'd be glad to play tour guide for you and we can make a roadtrip out of it. All the stores Hydrologist has mentioned are worth visiting. We will of course....visit that funny fella in the Hamilton/Niagara area (bring your sunglasses - corals are blinding). ;)

I've been fortunate to meet a few CanReef members in the past. It's always nice to meet and chat with a fellow hobbyist.

I'll try my best and have the stores open for you ;)


Nice offer! You should be collecting commission! lol.

[xenon]

IF our schedules coincide; I'd be glad to play tour guide for you and we can make a roadtrip out of it. All the stores Hydrologist has mentioned are worth visiting. We will of course....visit that funny fella in the Hamilton/Niagara area (bring your sunglasses - corals are blinding). ;)

I've been fortunate to meet a few CanReef members in the past. It's always nice to meet and chat with a fellow hobbyist.

I'll try my best and have the stores open for you ;)

That's a fantastic offer. :eek:

Taipan is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. I would definitely take him up on his offer!

Kien bought a bunch of corals from us before he flew back home. From my understand he packed his suitcase full of corals and never had a problem. :lol:

[chef]

Taipan is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. I would definitely take him up on his offer!

Kien bought a bunch of corals from us before he flew back home. From my understand he packed his suitcase full of corals and never had a problem. :lol:[/quote]

[chef]

Whoops. +1 for Taipan. met him when I was at fragfest last fall. I really liked him.
As far as bringing corals back goes, I've done it many times. Just put it in your checked luggage with a few heatpacks. I always try to make the package as small as possible with hardly any air.

[hunggi74]

That guy in the Niagra region with the Acans that are out of this world, right? Everytime he puts up pics I bring out my kid's drool rag for myself:biggrin:

Taipan, I will definitely take you up on that offer for a guided tour! Better to go around with someone who knows the area. I'm from Vancouver and we have nothing like your freeway systems there...

Really? I can pack the corals in my checked luggage?? There goes all my spending money for the trip...

I'm just a little excited now :lol:

[Taipan]

That guy in the Niagra region with the Acans that are out of this world, right? Everytime he puts up pics I bring out my kid's drool rag for myself:biggrin:

Taipan, I will definitely take you up on that offer for a guided tour! Better to go around with someone who knows the area. I'm from Vancouver and we have nothing like your freeway systems there...

Really? I can pack the corals in my checked luggage?? There goes all my spending money for the trip...

I'm just a little excited now :lol:

Shipping corals via your luggage or carry-on is not a problem. I've done it many times....even from Vancouver back to Toronto, and Toronto to Halifax ;) Keep me posted and we'll try to make this work.

P.S. - Yes, that guy from Niagara with the crazy Acans....SPS....and Scolys. ;)

Thanks for everyone's kind words.

[Taipan]

T minus 1 month.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbF29c_FpV8

[hunggi74]

[QUOTE=Taipan;901179]T minus 1 month.....



OH YEAH!!!!!

[AquaticExpressions]

Frag Cave and myself if you want some zoas and palys that are out of this world.

Big Al's Mississauaga, Canada Corals for SPS, Aquatic Kingdom, and reef raft if you can make an appointment.

Big Al's Scarborough, NAFB, Sea U Marine (Markham)

MJC for SPS :)

All these places are great also I haven't been to Big Show but for LPS he has probably got the nicest pieces from what I see in photo.

Red(Taipan) is a great guy and you should take him up on his offer 2pts from BC got the tour from Red and he had a great time from my understanding.

[hunggi74]

I'm taking Taipan up on his offer for sure. I'm setting aside (wife is allowing) one day for coral bliss. Wherever he decides to take me I'm sure will blow my mind.
Question for all the vendors out there, I know that there've been many visitors to your store/home operations, but I haven't seen a lot of pics posted. Is this frowned upon? Or is taking pictures okay but posting them on here isn't? Pardon me if the question seems impolite (not sure if that's the right word to use)? I just think that I for one would love to have pics for memories' sake of all the beautiful tanks I'm going to be seeing.

[AquaticExpressions]

I'm taking Taipan up on his offer for sure. I'm setting aside (wife is allowing) one day for coral bliss. Wherever he decides to take me I'm sure will blow my mind.
Question for all the vendors out there, I know that there've been many visitors to your store/home operations, but I haven't seen a lot of pics posted. Is this frowned upon? Or is taking pictures okay but posting them on here isn't? Pardon me if the question seems impolite (not sure if that's the right word to use)? I just think that I for one would love to have pics for memories' sake of all the beautiful tanks I'm going to be seeing.

What are you looking to get? If it is zoa Alex on frag cave posts lots of pics... Canada Corals posts sps shipment... NAFB post some pics too on other forums...

[Wheelman76]

What are you looking to get? If it is zoa Alex on frag cave posts lots of pics... Canada Corals posts sps shipment... NAFB post some pics too on other forums...

I think he means that he doesn't see a lot of pictures posted from the people doing the touring.

[hunggi74]

Yeah, what he said^^^^:biggrin:

[AquaticExpressions]

Yeah, what he said^^^^:biggrin:
Lol my bad... I read it wrong... I would ask 2pts to see if he has any pics of his trip I'm sure if he didn't take pics it was because his lense kept fogging up with all the eye candy here lol

[hunggi74]

I think I'll be suffering from the same illness:biggrin:
How could one not???

[xenon]

Red posted some pics while here visiting with 2pts in our build thread.

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=97843&page=23

[hunggi74]

I saw those pics in your build thread. That's Red though, he's special VIP. I wasn't sure if any out of town visitors could post pics of your set ups. I'm sure I saw your store on Red's itinerary so we will be meeting soon:lol:

[Taipan]

Wait a minute.....

EVERYONE is a "special VIP" at Canada Corals......or at any other of the CanReef sponsor's stores.

Ok......that was cheese.....but you get the idea. ;)

[2pts]

Hey everyone.

Red is awesome, my tour was unreal.

I put my styrofoam box in my checked luggage with air canada.

I go by the don't ask don't tell theory, I just check my bag and declare no dangerous goods as there are not.

I've got a few pics, I'm away from home till the w/e again but can post pics of stuff I got when home.

Here is a teaser from Canada Corals...

http://s1.postimg.org/ljdeb1kbz/image.jpg

[2pts]

I should add, I have never flown with corals in my carry on.

They are generally extremely strict on the less than 100ml fluid at security. I'm not willing to take the chance that I may get a nice / understanding security person.

I fly a lot, mostly air canada but a bit Westjet. Never a problem in my checked luggage. In my opinion, You must have it packed prepared to be thrown around, on the bottom of many heavy items and suitcases, extra bag around it for small leaks.

[hunggi74]

I'm going to have to agree with you 2pts. Leave the corals in the checked luggage. No need for any unwanted headaches or hassles. I'm sure all the vendors will have lots of experience packing corals for safe travel across the country. Can't wait to see your tour pics!

[hunggi74]

Two weeks and counting!!!:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

[hunggi74]

Just got back from TO and I'm already wanting to go back for more corals!

Firstly, a very big thank you to Taipan for taking the time to chauffeur me around to tour some of the LFS in Mississauga. We spent almost all day and there were still LFS that we skipped. And that's just in Mississauga!
Thank yous to Rivers 2 Oceans, Canada Corals, Reef Boutique for your hospitality. Thank you to Alex at Frag Cave for letting me tour your home/bussiness.

And who else but Taipan could get me a tour of the Holiest of holies, Reef Raft!! Your eyes will melt to see all J has in person! I see now why Canreef sponsors get their stock from him. It's a shame he doesn't sell retail. *sigh* but definitely awesome to just be able to visit!

I highly encourage anyone who has a chance to go to TO to pm Taipan and see if you can schedule a day or two or three to tour the LFS scene with him. He's very knowledgable in all aspects of the hobby. Seriously, ALL aspects. You will not believe how connected he is!

Pics to come!!

[hunggi74]

Canada Corals. You walk in and your jaw drops. Bring a change of underwear.
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd422/hunggi74/175A67CB-B6EF-4A50-BFE9-40DF76CF2F1C.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/hunggi74/media/175A67CB-B6EF-4A50-BFE9-40DF76CF2F1C.jpg.html)
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd422/hunggi74/583EF34C-25ED-40F1-A1A8-5F0C87EF58A7.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/hunggi74/media/583EF34C-25ED-40F1-A1A8-5F0C87EF58A7.jpg.html)
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd422/hunggi74/19A6AF91-A929-4DC2-A9F1-D9D0EC53722D.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/hunggi74/media/19A6AF91-A929-4DC2-A9F1-D9D0EC53722D.jpg.html)
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd422/hunggi74/A5D6FF6D-F218-4A1E-8EC5-59655BA65801.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/hunggi74/media/A5D6FF6D-F218-4A1E-8EC5-59655BA65801.jpg.html)

[hunggi74]

Frag Cave. You know the man is meticulous about his work just from looking at how he maintains his beautiful home.
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd422/hunggi74/7C3864B8-0CEB-475F-B334-A3FFA1BEA7FF.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/hunggi74/media/7C3864B8-0CEB-475F-B334-A3FFA1BEA7FF.jpg.html)
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd422/hunggi74/FC5A7CD2-D773-49E3-AA4B-9E027F573A12.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/hunggi74/media/FC5A7CD2-D773-49E3-AA4B-9E027F573A12.jpg.html)http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd422/hunggi74/F0A2872B-DDF7-46F8-B899-6664C1180876.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/hunggi74/media/F0A2872B-DDF7-46F8-B899-6664C1180876.jpg.html)

[Taipan]

Uhm...yeah.....Thanks for the compliment....like I need my fat head to be swollen any more than it is. ;) . I know a lot about nothing and fake it. Stick around me long enough....you'll see through that :mrgreen: lol

I'm glad you had a good time. I did as well!

Toronto Traffic was "extra special" - we missed a few other LFS and a very generous offer by Big Show. We missed Dave by a day. *sighs* Next time. There's always next time.

[hunggi74]

The only picture I took of Reef Raft. You forget everything once you walk past that door. You'll have to ask Taipan for the VIP access.
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd422/hunggi74/E01A78AA-4BD6-4357-8656-723695D28C46.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/hunggi74/media/E01A78AA-4BD6-4357-8656-723695D28C46.jpg.html)

[Taipan]

"V.I.P. Access" = someone being at the store as we drove by. I don't have a secret knock, handshake, or decoder ring. lol

[Scythanith]

I'd love to see some close ups of the Fragcave chalices :) They look pretty nice!

[hunggi74]

Every store had nice stuff. I was told this was the 'slow' season for selection as the stores typically don't bring in much stock due to people going on vacation during this time of year. And they have a big frag fest at the end of the month!! Doh!!

Some more pics of candy at Canada Corals
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd422/hunggi74/97D56DD0-01CB-4574-A8A4-0B0E228E78D1.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/hunggi74/media/97D56DD0-01CB-4574-A8A4-0B0E228E78D1.jpg.html)
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd422/hunggi74/4D579460-BB87-402F-9165-0FF66DA45DBB.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/hunggi74/media/4D579460-BB87-402F-9165-0FF66DA45DBB.jpg.html)
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd422/hunggi74/87CE692E-295C-4BDC-A376-29B55B22E0FB.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/hunggi74/media/87CE692E-295C-4BDC-A376-29B55B22E0FB.jpg.html)
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd422/hunggi74/B0417127-FF2B-4CD4-B8AC-9634CA483DEF.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/hunggi74/media/B0417127-FF2B-4CD4-B8AC-9634CA483DEF.jpg.html)

[hunggi74]

Will post pics of my additions once they've settled down in my tank. A scoly, a small clam, 4 chalices, 2 acans, a favia, and an acan echinata. All survived the trip in a Tupperware container inside my checked luggage. I put them in my tank that hasn't had any maintenance done to it during my two weeks away so I'm sure things will look even better after my wc.

[FragCave]

Well seems like you had a blast and it was nice to meet you, thanks for the nice comments Fragcave and all the LFS have the doors open to everyone.
Special thanks to "Taipan" it would not be the same without him, we tour the stores everytime we have a chance because we cant just help it...we live the hobby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hunggi74]

Scoly
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd422/hunggi74/A55E6BED-8A6F-456B-A4D2-0608D5EA9F42.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/hunggi74/media/A55E6BED-8A6F-456B-A4D2-0608D5EA9F42.jpg.html)
Acans (frags in center of pic)
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd422/hunggi74/176A6030-F295-4372-8CB4-62D8923628C0.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/hunggi74/media/176A6030-F295-4372-8CB4-62D8923628C0.jpg.html)
Chalice (don't recall the name...somebody help identify?)
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd422/hunggi74/7203B850-CF53-4C14-BEAF-8C28FF655D86_1.jpg (http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/hunggi74/media/7203B850-CF53-4C14-BEAF-8C28FF655D86_1.jpg.html)
All pics taken with iPhone and untouched so color isn't as nice as in person.