BA's London - Two thumbs down.

[Mugster]

I stopped in at the London BA's today. What a disappointment that was. Their coral selection was the most pitiful display of drab, obviously stressed corals I've ever seen. What they did have was grossly overpriced.

In one tank they stupidly placed all their hermits with their snails. Each and every snail that was on the bottom of the tank was flipped over with several Blue Legs eagerly ripping out the snail.

It's a good thing that you have places like Lotus Aquatics close by where you can get quality healthy corals.


My review on a scale of 1-10.... 2





JMHO,
Kev :twitch:

[Darryl_V]

Tell me something I dont know........BA's London is absolutely horrible for corals....and poor for fish at best.

[Mugster]

Tell me something I dont know........BA's London is absolutely horrible for corals....and poor for fish at best.




I thought the Kitchener BA's was bad at times but London takes the cake.






Kev :twitch:

[BlueSky]

If you live in London and want quality coral you have to go to Strictly Salt.....it's the best!!

[alex9421]

BA's in London is trash, over priced, terrible livestock (saltwater) and the staff have little SW knowledge. Newbies beware!!!!

[tusco]

I live in London.What does BA stand for?.I like Incredible Aquarium.St.Salt seemed like a real dump when I went in.One fish tank had a big and very rotten and very dead fish in itIf anyone knows of any good places stocking SPS around London please let me know.It's always great to find new places to spend all my money.

[ZX10-R]

BA is an acronym for Big Al's a Chain fish store.

[Darryl_V]

Imo...stictly Salt > Incredalble Aquarium

[mark0933]

Imo...stictly Salt > Incredalble Aquarium

I agree whole heartedly, sometimes they are a little rushed, but atleast they are in business to help the hobbyist, not just their wallet (although they do need to live too).

I actually find Paul at BA's a nice guy, stubborn, and won't get a decent salt section, but a genuine nice guy. (More than I can say about the third marine store who shall remain nameless)

Again, the above is IMO.

Mark

[tusco]

I find that at BA's that if they get in a shipment of corals it is better to buy it almost right away because if they keep anything past a week the poor buggers start to deteriorate.Bill at Incredible Aquarium is quite knowledgable and is always trying to bring in the best the area has to offer.I was in Stricktly Salt only once and though I saw several corals that I had never seen before they all were stessed and many were bleaching and not doing well at all.I will go back this week and give them another chance.Are there any other stores around London other than the place in Wyoming,I would REALLY like to know.
Also I just picked up my 48 inch hood with 2 X 240 watt-10,000K and 2X 4ft. VHO's.I'm sure the boys in the tank will love them,gonna start with a 4 Hr. photo period so they don't burn.

[Darryl_V]

Tusco....congrats on your first post and WELCOME to AP. You should edit your signature with your tank info.

[Jason]

I called BA's London last week for Fiji live rock prices. They're really expensive.

[MiliSim]

$7.88 A pound? I just got back from it today. I wouldn't consider that overpriced at all.

[Jason]

In Windsor it is $7/lb most places. Last week I got 150lbs for $5.50/lb. I could have gotten it cheaper if I ordered more.

[MiliSim]

So 88 extra cents is REALLY Expensive?

The guy there told me today if I wanted a 100lbs I could get it for $6 or $6.50 per lb..


I would say this store is about average. Nothing REALLY expensive about it, nothing overly cheap. Stock was a little low but they assured me a RED SEA shipment was in Thursday after close along with over 500 lbs of Fiji LR.

[siklid]

I live in London.What does BA stand for?.I like Incredible Aquarium.St.Salt seemed like a real dump when I went in.One fish tank had a big and very rotten and very dead fish in itIf anyone knows of any good places stocking SPS around London please let me know.It's always great to find new places to spend all my money.

BA == big al's

[siklid]

$7.88 A pound? I just got back from it today. I wouldn't consider that overpriced at all.

things happen in 2 weeks since the last posting before yours

[Jason]

When I called I was told it normally sells for $9/lb. I said I was looking for 10 boxes-500lbs and I was told it was $7/lb.

[Jason]

So $9/lb is "REALLY expensive" and even if it was $7.88/lb, multiply $0.88 by 500 lbs. If you want to give me $440 so I can buy it from BA's I'll give you my address.
I'm sure most people on this site would like to buy their supplies for the cheapest price possible and that is why I posted that comment. I was hoping to get a response from another member who knew where I could get a better price not to start an argument.
I have nothing against the store,the staff or the owners. I buy there occasionally myself.
You seem really defensive of BA's London. You don't work there do you???
Strange how your first post is to reply to my comment. Is there a reason for that?

[twizttid1]

Wow if you're looking for 500 lbs... that's territory to do some wheeling and dealing with one of the AP Sponsers.....
They'll custom order and give you a good price for that qty...

BA has some very high prices for LR...... and the quality in not any better than what the sponsers can pull in....

[MiliSim]

I work for the Canadian Gov't so no I dont work at a fish store. I was in essence defending my LFS.

I've never had an issue with prices in London.

I cant speak for Windsor, since I dont know if Mandarin is still around. I havent been down that way in years.

Live rock prices vary from region to region. Also it varies based on location its from. Cuban tends to be cheaper than Fiji:Tonga etc tend to be more than Fiji. Around here anyways. So just price hunting isnt always the only reason to buy it.

Quality is just as important. I used to like Walt Smith LR but I cant find it anymore. It was great stuff. A little more money but I always felt you paid for what you got.

[Jason]

Mandarin is no longer in business. The owner became sick.
The Live Rock I got last week was Walt Smith Premium for $5.50.
Next time if there are enough of us that are interested maybe we can get a group order and get a better price.

[jmunding]

i have never been there and now i never will, thanks for saving me the gas