Hi! And where do you shop mid-island??

[emeraldeyes_bc]

Hey everyone! I'm pretty new to all of this, I am only JUST finishing my cycle.
I started this tank for my 5 year old son who has Sensory Integration Disorder. It was suggested as a way for him to calm, and relax.
Well... I caught the bug haha it's definitely become an obsession I find myself on google, google pictures, and reading forums 24/7

Anyway, to the point... Where on earth do I get livestock?? The couple places here in nanaimo did not seem very healthy, and really didn't have anything there anyway.... Not to mention one place gave me consistently terrible advice....

Any suggestions?? Are there good brick and mortar stores mid-island?? Or do you order from somewhere??
Like I said, I've just finished cycling, have some good diatom bloom starting and I don't even know where to find a cleanup crew!

Thanks so much! I look forward to getting to know everyone

[daplatapus]

Have you been up to Clearwater ponds in Errington? They've usually got some decent livestock but careful on the advice there. They also have tanks there that run copper all the time so be careful of any of their water getting in your tank.
There's also Island pet zone in Duncan. A couple places in Comox but can't remember their names.
I've often gotten livestock from J&L and they fly it to Nanaimo via Harbour Air for $20 I think it was. SO you get it within a couple hours of coming out of their tanks.

[daplatapus]

Oh, and WELCOME to Canreef!

[Dearth]

Welcome aboard

Can't help you with LFS but can help you with a link that almost every SW enthusiast uses new or experienced www.liveaquaria.com sorta like the unofficial official bible on most things SW

[emeraldeyes_bc]

Awesome! Thanks so much!

[windcoast reefs]

live aquaria is great! Just do lots of reading and take your time. Don't know many mid island stores, there are a few in victoria. I mostly try and get my livestock and dry goods from Vancouver now.

[Coasting]

Honestly, I have yet to see a single store over here Between Campbell river and victoria even come close to the quantity or variety of J&L. Then again I haven't been to many since ive moved to the island. It was nice to live 15 mins from J&L....
Every now and then members will place group orders from some suppliers be they in another province or as close as J&L or Victoria. Start scouting out other members on here in your area and see if anyone may be in for a group order
Or even people who go mainland to island who can pick stuff up for you and bring it over, who knows!

[emeraldeyes_bc]

I may actually be heading to Victoria next weekend for a swim meet are there a couple places you recommend seeing??

[daplatapus]

In Vic definitely go to Blue World Aquariums and Safari pets. AS far as I know those are the only 2, although Brad's place is pretty good too

I'm debating heading to the mainland to get some stuff for my 210 in the next month or so (shipping will be way north of $150 so I might as well go), so if anyone wants to do something in way of a group order I may be able to grab stuff from J&L while there.

[Borderjumper]

I've got some really nice Palys and a few other things you may be interested if you come to Victoria shot me a PM. What exactly are you looking for?