Big Al's of Ft Lauderdale

[Jason Baliban]

Just stopped by the new superstore in Ft Lauderdale. First let me say that the store is beatiful. That is about all I can say for "Sea World". There were 3 huge aquariums, but nothing that I would say were amazing in the sense of hard work. The fresh tank had plastic plants and the salt had plastic coral. Throughout the store there were two other normal tanks. One salt and one fresh. The salt looked like it might be good after some time. It looked like a great start. The planted tank was a JOKE. Brown algae and fuzz algae. The plant section was par at best. The fish section was also decent....but for a store that size, the fish were highly priced. Every holding tank had some sort of decoration.....probly priced at 10 bucks a pop, not to mention im sure it will cause some fish injuries during catching. What a waste of resources.....probly not helping the cost either. The coral section was terrible.

I wasnt impressed....with the store over all. It was a beautiful store, but i would have rather seen a less elaborate store with better speciments. I have never dealt with big al's, and im sure i would do business with them. I was just a bit disappointed with the overall experience. Im glad i live near thatpetplace.

jB

[Sponsors]

[Spar]

that the same storechain as BigAlsOnline.com?

[thirston]

Yes, it sure is.

[shuks]

I have a "BIg al's" right by my house too. It's amazing... It has like a 3000 gallon saltwater shark tank. It also has a beautifull 250 gallon freshwater planted tank. whoever takes care of it really knows their stuff. As for plant selection, it's ten times better than anyother fish store in vancouver. The plant species you get there I can't fined in any other fish store.They also have a great selection of wood from all over the world (my faverot is the mopanie) that is VERY cheap. In total the place probably has over 500 diffrent tanks, from freshwater to saltwater. It's the biggest aquarium store I've ever seen .... over all I give it an A+

[Jason Baliban]

Thats great!!

Im glad there are some really knowlegable plant people who work in the store near your. It always makes life for us "plant heads" much easier.



jB

[Osteomata]

Wow, pretty harsh revue. I take the exact opposite opinion: Having been to many many fish stores in South Florida, it is still the best store in our area for fresh water stuff. Some of your critisisms are quite valid, but I have yet to find a shop in SF (particularly Dade county) that knows a dang think about fresh water or maintain a decent freshwater planted display tank. Bottom line is that Bil Als is well organized, well stocked, helpful courtious staff, and more plants than 90% of the stores around here.

While some of your critisisms are valid, complaining about decorations in stock tanks seems like nitpicking. I found it refreshing to have something other than completely bare tanks.


I have no affiliation to Big Als

[RESGuy]

Big Al's Aquarium Supercenters - Big Al's

I love it btw, I spent $300+ on my first and only visit

[Megalops]

Originally Posted by Osteomata

Wow, pretty harsh revue. I take the exact opposite opinion: Having been to many many fish stores in South Florida, it is still the best store in our area for fresh water stuff. Some of your critisisms are quite valid, but I have yet to find a shop in SF (particularly Dade county) that knows a dang think about fresh water or maintain a decent freshwater planted display tank. Bottom line is that Bil Als is well organized, well stocked, helpful courtious staff, and more plants than 90% of the stores around here.

While some of your critisisms are valid, complaining about decorations in stock tanks seems like nitpicking. I found it refreshing to have something other than completely bare tanks.


I have no affiliation to Big Als

I'd prefer to give the mom and pop shops my business.

[GIO590]

Originally Posted by Osteomata

Wow, pretty harsh revue. I take the exact opposite opinion: Having been to many many fish stores in South Florida, it is still the best store in our area for fresh water stuff. Some of your critisisms are quite valid, but I have yet to find a shop in SF (particularly Dade county) that knows a dang think about fresh water or maintain a decent freshwater planted display tank. Bottom line is that Bil Als is well organized, well stocked, helpful courtious staff, and more plants than 90% of the stores around here.

While some of your critisisms are valid, complaining about decorations in stock tanks seems like nitpicking. I found it refreshing to have something other than completely bare tanks.


I have no affiliation to Big Als

Have you ever been to beverlys pet center http://www.beverlyspet.com/ its next to the pembroke pines cafe iguanna on university

They have a great selection of everything and tend to cater to the exotic and hard to find things. and there show tanks are to die for

--no afilliation to the previously mentioned store

[The Rockster]

Big Al's Super Aquarium Store is no way related to Big Al's Online. There prices are totally different as are their websites.

[KnaveTO]

Originally Posted by The Rockster

Big Al's Super Aquarium Store is no way related to Big Al's Online. There prices are totally different as are their websites.

You are incorrect sir. Big Al's Aquarium Supercentres are a Canadian Owned Franchise that has expanded into the United States. They have 20 stores in Canada and the two in the United States plus an online sales division in both countries.

When checking the prices you may want to verify that you are on the American site rather than the Canadian one as there will be price differences (we pay more for everything up here ). Otherwise the prices should be the same and if they are not then mention that to the store staff, they should be able to correct that immediatley.

[The Rockster]

I am at that store weekly...........have met the owner who lives in Hallandale, and ofcourse have bought from Big Al's Online and know they have a Canadian Division and one in NY................if you want to check your facts call 954-722-3474 (Big Al's Aquarium Super Center), and ask them, and they will flatouttell you they are not part of Big Al's Online. Or Google Big Al's and look at their one page web site, and compare it too Big Al's Online.

[The Rockster]

I am just telling you what they told me..........Originally I too thought they were all the same company. I asked at the store and they said they are not affiliated to Big Al's Online. Perhaps due to the context of the conversation ie.....I asked why their prices were so much higher. In any case, I will ask Allan Saul, the owner, when I run into him. So you might very well be correct. He did tell me that his goal was for a store in every state.(and he is Canadian) Also checked and they have a new updated website..........

[Bulldog321]

Originally Posted by The Rockster

I am just telling you what they told me..........Originally I too thought they were all the same company. I asked at the store and they said they are not affiliated to Big Al's Online. Perhaps due to the context of the conversation ie.....I asked why their prices were so much higher. In any case, I will ask Allan Saul, the owner, when I run into him. So you might very well be correct. He did tell me that his goal was for a store in every state.(and he is Canadian) Also checked and they have a new updated website..........

As far as prices, it seems on-line does not neccessarily correlate with in-store prices for many companies. Look at Petco and Petsmart. The on-line prices often are much cheaper than their in-store prices. For example the Rena XP3 is $149 at Petsmart.com, but is $240 in the store near my house.

[KnaveTO]

There are two Big Als Locations in the United States.

6820 North Universtiy Drive, Tamarac, FL
2876 Dekalb Pine, Philadelphia, PA

Oh and they also have a fish farm in Florida I belive.

Allan Saul is the owner of Big Als Incorporated.

Big Al's USA http://www.bigalsusa.com/
Big Al's Canada http://www.bigalscanada.ca/
Big Al's Online USA http://www.bigalsonline.com/
Big Al's Online Canada http://www.bigalsonline.ca/