Aquariums West - Vancouver LFS

[Dalban]

Last I was there (just before Chirstmas) they had Amano ($6), Ghost/Glass and Woodshrimp (~$21). They'll give you a run down on their stock if you give them a call.

BTW, if you're looking for Amano, Bigal's (Richmond) had hundreds of them ($3) around the same time.

[rwong2k]

yeah personally i don't buy anything live frm king ed pets, but you've got to admit their equipment and stuff like that is pretty much the cheapest

Originally Posted by BOTIA

Yes it is very clean store. But the prices phew. King eds is far cheaper but they take absolutely horrible care of their fish.

[rwong2k]

pet botique is pretty awesome,

their prices for tropica plants are reasonable
although i think big al's has one of the better selections though but they're pricy,

Originally Posted by BOTIA

I'm with tony on this one. I have bought 90% of my fish and plants from pet boutique. Everyone there is extremely friendly and helpfull. There livestock prices are awesome and there frozen food prices are good. They have 2 for 1 sales about every 3 months and 25% off sales of hagen products..However hard goods such as tanks and equipment Kings eds rules with the best prices.
Pet boutiue does get some nice plants but it is very random but cheap.
A west is pretty and well plant stocked but$$$$$$$.
Botia

[joan]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and new to planted tanks.

I checked out Aquariums West yesterday and I have to say I was extremely impressed. Okay, it is not the cheapest store out there but, hey, you tend to get what you pay for, particularly when it comes to live purchases. That being said, I hardly found their prices outrageous. In fact, for most of their stock they seemed pretty on par with most. I live right near the Burnaby Big Al's, and I don't find their prices to be great. Big Al's Tropica plants were pretty pricey, in fact, and no where near as well kept or as good a selection as Aquariums West. At AW I found plenty of beautiful plants to start my tank at much better prices than Big Al's offered me. Don't get me wrong, the staff at Big Al's were nice, and they too have a lot to offer, but the service and quality of product is just that much better at AW.

When I lived in North Van years ago I would pick up supplies for my pond at Pet Boutique and really enjoyed shopping there. Very friendly and helpful. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to purchase from them again based on past experiences.

Aquariums West, though, is hands down the nicest, best kept fish/pet store I have ever been in. I will gladly give them my business for the bulk of my plant & fish purchases because I know I can feel confident in the health of those purchases, and I'd rather give my money to a store that treats its living creatures so well. The staff were super friendly and went out of their way to help me in any way that they could. They made a point of telling me to call any time I had questions about my purchases or my tank in general. They get a big from me and will be getting a lot of my business.

[amber2461]

I agree with you there on the points mentioned in your post.

[putty]

Pet Boutique has had a new owner for some time now and is even better than before. If you have not been there for a while check it out.

[rwong2k]

I've went there last week, looks slightly different,

the amano shrimp they have in their planted tank are huge almost 2"?

Unless they aren't amano shrimp ?!?

[outcast]

wierd, only lost one fish from king ed's, it didn't swim right from the get go though and i knew something was probably wrong, the rest survived and flourished though. I've only seen 1 dead fish in king ed's (a betta in a bowl). as for plants, just by coincidence i've purchased plants right when shipments came in. been to a few other places and wasn't impressed

[rwong2k]

I just realized that j&l has better prices than king ed pets, (for equipment)


I've bought a few things from them already,

highly recommended

[putty]

JL is also quite good, but the prices are hit and miss between them and King Ed.

King Ed is more likely to give you breaks, especially if they know your face.

I have to say their livestock is also getting progressively better.

[sick lid]

Where's J&L? Also, does anyone else find the Big Al's in Coquitlam to be a PITA to deal with compared to Richmond? ANd yeah, the others are progressively getting better all the time Pet Boutique has a wider healthier selection, though I found Winston had a friendlier attitude than the new dude. King Ed's much better now than 5 years ago. AWest, awesome awesome store, a must see, but I can't afford to shop there either.

[outcast]

With king ed's, you must talk about the fish before you buy them, they'll tell you how long they've had them, how much percent of their stock dies off, what you want is stock thats been in the store for about 3-4 weeks. I've had a small school of cardinals i bought die off in days, and 3 or 4 otos. Ends up for both of these, after talking to them were new stock in the store, now that i've made sure im buying their old stock, i can get two things, better survivability (around 95% now) and ability to barter lower prices to free up their tank of old stock . Plus with the dead fishies, i mention them in conversation and he normally throws in a few free fishies in sympathy

Plant wise, i wait for their hired plant maintenence guy comes in and buy the clippings newly cut from him, talk plants with him and thats it. Plus he normally gives you bunches a bit larger than that in the storage tanks.

I too live next Big al's burnaby, went in there twice, came out twice with nothing. Crappy care of their tanks, plants look hideous, and supplies a bit better than petcetera.

I'll take a peak of aquarium west today and give my opinion

[SearunSimpson]

I have been to Aquarium West on a few occasions, but only if I'm passing it. The one thing they have that I like is the Pfertz line (though, it has gone up in price).
I find the store very neat and organized, but the prices are rediculous. I think they are overpriced, but are reflective of their demographic location (Kitsilano).

My favourite place in Vancouver is Aprils Aquarium. You can't beat her prices, or her generousity.

If you want 10 fish, she scoops out at least ten, then whatever else is in the net, she just goes "well, just in case, you can have these guys".

RCS, Cardinals, Rummynose, etc, are all only $2. Amano shrimp are the same price, unless they are jumbo, which means they are $3.

Celestial Pearl Danios, $4. Boraras Merah, $2. Like, its unreal.

I do like Aquariums west though, as it is a very clean and upkept store, and the service has been good the few times I've gone in- it's just their prices reflect their location.