Big Al's Richmond has Clams

Jason McK · #1 08-31-2003, 11:27 PM

Just dropped in to find a large tank of about 40 clams.
Mainly Maxima various colours sizes ranging from 2" to about 8"

I'll post pics of my new guy when I have acclimated him

J

I have edit my comments as I feel "my" thoughts of any store are My thoughts and the intent was not to offend.
I did buy from them and there fore my comments we hypocritical

powerboy · #2 09-01-2003, 12:33 AM

yes, there were a lot of clams, but did you notice the amount of aptasia on them? it was a horrible sight. i asked the guy at the counter why they let their tanks go to hell like that, and his reply to me was " i dunno, buddy in the back is suppose to take care of it. i work in the front"

did you notice the little tanks directly above the clam tank? these little 4x4x4 partitions had fish in them.. sigh

everytime i go in there, i lose more and more respect for them ( wasnt much to start with)

they are by far the worst store i have seen....

but on a positive note, i hope that clam gives you much viewing pleasure

Quinn · #3 09-01-2003, 12:54 AM

I think that by purchasing from the store, you are encouraging them to continue to import that animal. I would be boycotting them if I did not approve of their facilities.

Jason McK · #4 09-01-2003, 01:08 AM

Teevee you make a good point. One I have used in the past.
You are right, But I work in richmond and its too easy to go there and slowly watch everything die. I just had to at least rescue one.

Powerboy I asked about the Aptasia too, The guy said they can like that from the Burnaby store, I think they charge more for Clams with a ring of Anenomes

Jason

robbyville · #5 09-01-2003, 01:44 AM

I've been to their stores a few times, I like their aquarium displays to fantasize about my eventual needs! I actually did buy a couple of items from them when I first moved into town but no longer do.

I walked in there a while back to see them selling live sand, at first I was incredibly happy since it's hard to find true live sand in Vancouver. Then I started to see all the aptaisia in it and that was enough for me. Every single tank thaey have except for their display in the front seems to be riddled with them!

Justin · #6 09-08-2003, 06:07 PM

Wow am I suprised at the lack of intellegence and mental capacity some of you are showing.

Not a mention of how nice the clams are. Not one is unhealthy. There is a brand new display built just to keep clams healthy so customers like us can have a good selection of healthy clams. And this is bad? I think 2 I saw had aptasia on them. Yes there is aptasia in the system, but if that is the worst thing you can find, I think that is pretty good. Some local stores have such a putrid odor I can't even stand in the store without gaging.

Where to start. Lets see.

Powerboy said:

"yes, there were a lot of clams, but did you notice the amount of aptasia on them?"

What's your point? Aptasia is a common thing, some people namely Calfo reccomend the use of them. When you get something you just might have a hitchhiker. Do you cry like this when you get a piece of liverock with a nasty crab, or a bristleworm? Do you excet everything handed to you perfectly? If you see a clam with aptasia on it, and you don't want the aptasia in your tank, kill the aptasia while your acclimating your clam.

"i asked the guy at the counter why they let their tanks go to hell like that, and his reply to me was " i dunno, buddy in the back is suppose to take care of it. i work in the front" "

Well what do you expect? The guy in the front of the store to go running to the back and solve all your concerns, no matter how ignorant they are? Then people wanting help in the front of the store can stand around and twiddle thier thumbs? If you had half the experiance you seem to you claim you would have asked to speak to a manager in the livestock department, and made your concerns known to him. He is the one who can do something about it. THis is not just for pet stores, it's customer service in general.

"did you notice the little tanks directly above the clam tank? these little 4x4x4 partitions had fish in them.. sigh"

Did you notice what is in these little boxes? They are plumbed into the main system, so thier water quality is perfect. They are not Naso tangs and sharks, they are small creatures that would not fare well when placed into a larger holding tank. IE, clown gobys and the such. They are FAR happier in a nice little box untill someone takes them home, rather then being dominated in a larger holding tank. Coral banded shrimp as well would MUCH rather be in a small box where they don't rip eachother apart. Why do you think the size is too small? When did you become an expert on holding livestock?

What do you think would happen if every piece of livestock had it's own 20gallon holding tank with a prefect habitat? Nothing would cost less then $100 each. The holding tanks are a compromise of something to keep the item healthy untill it gets taken home, and keeping cost down so people can afford it.

"they are by far the worst store i have seen.... "

Then you don't get around much. It's actually one of the cleanest stores I have ever seen.

Now I understand why that one store treats everyone like morons.

If you know nothing about how a store runs, I suggest you keep your comments to yourself in the future.

Aquattro · #7 09-08-2003, 06:17 PM

Justin, please refrain from insulting people. Thank you.

Lucky Trout · #8 09-08-2003, 06:21 PM

Just thats Harsh.

Have you ever been to Animal House in Abbotsford. We have extremely clean tanks and tons of happy fish. Just got an order from Bali the other day.

We try and carry a large selection of premium Corals and as much live rock as we can get.

When we do get clams and oysters that are very health and colourful. Every tank has its only sump and UV sterilizer, to maintain the inhabitants health.

You all would be shocked at the number of people who call my work on a regular basis about there sick fish that they purchased at J&L's. And we gladly give them the info they need.

I know of a caribean order of inverts that we will be getting sortly i'll post when it does come in.

Livestock in any pet store is expensive no matter where you go because of the high shipping costs. If you want to be mad at anyone about prices be made at the guys in Hawaii or Figi who are sitting back counting there thousands for taking a new and dipping it in the water. I think everyone should that there LPS for taking a huge risk in bringing theses animals for our plessure.

Thanks alot guys.

Ian

Jason McK · #9 09-08-2003, 06:30 PM

I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with anything that has been said in this thread.

I just know that there seemed to be a shortage of clams around lately and Big Al's had some so I thought I'd share

My little guy is doing just great

Jason

Justin · #10 09-08-2003, 06:32 PM

Sorry Brad. I just have seen enough people driven away from this site because of people who have no idea what they are talking about shooting thier backwards opinions around unmoderated. I stopped posting here because of crap like that. Kinda went lurker.

Ian, I know it's harsh, but It's not as harsh as the unfounded comments I was responding to. I realize Animal House is a clean store. Never had anything bad to say about them. It's just a little far for some people to go. Nice plug though.