Meetings???

[krazykatyj]

Hi

I was wondering do you guys ever have actual meetings of just participate in this forum only?

And is anyone familiar with a shop called i think "strictly aquariums" which is on Parramatta Rd, in Auburn? It used to be Rima shoes. ANyway are they reasonably priced for my needs, ie discus fish, food, plants, etc?

Cheers
Krazy KJ

[fiftycal]

Strictly aquariums is a chain shop.

In my experience, the discus there are stunted and have poor shape. The fish myself and my friend have bought from there have died very quickly. We both avoid getting stuff there since we both feel that they treat fish too poorly, as if they are merely for profit.

When I was newer to the hobby, I used to go there, but now I pay a little bit more for much better quality, and get served by people that know what they are talking about. I found I knew more about fish than the staff at SA back then.

The products are cheap there, but much cheaper online.

If you want good fish around that area, try Auburn Aquariums. Apparently they are good but I havent been there myself. Its near domayne I think

[Robdog]

I agree with Fitty. I've been in there a few times for a poke around on my way to somewhere else. Their discus are more often than not runts. They have their own brand called AquaVital which is just rebranded Aquaone.
I only go there to look at their SW stuff because it is a bit cheaper compared to other stores but it is often mislabelled and totally different species.

Auburn=peppered discus

[fiftycal]

Oh yeah, in SA, their freshwater tanks dont have real filtration. They simply have a plastic tube stuck into the gravel, with an air tube inside the plastic tube, which is basically using the gravel as a filter (they dont even use sponges). The tanks are way heavily stocked by aquarium standards, which coupled with the poor filtration, results in unhealthy fish. Their discus tank has this same filtration! They usually have 1 Eheim 2260, which is alternated between tanks. However, its current is WAY too strong for the tiny tanks, and fish always get sucked onto the intake and die. This also means that diseases get transferred from tank to tank very easily.

I have seen them sell breeding pairs before. They were housed in TINY tanks. They barely had enough room to stay upright! They were so stressed they were almost black.

Only go there if you have no choice (ie you need it NOW urgently). Otherwise wait a day and get it online. There are plenty of aquariums around Auburn I think.

[krazykatyj]

Thank you all for your replies, it is great to pick the brains of experienced people. I actually live in CONCORD, if any of you know where that is, so if you know of any local places for me, i would much appreciate hearing about them, good or bad.

Cheers
kray kj

[fiftycal]

I used to play cricket in Concord.

Fish Rock is about 10-20 mins from you in Eastwood.

[Robdog]

Tell us what you really think about SA fifty!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

There's a place in Burwood, down an alley, across from the Westfield that had some really nice discus when I was in there a month or two ago. Can't remember the nameof the store but it was a small shop and the fish were beautiful.

[krazykatyj]

Thanks for the advice. Will try and find the Burwood place when i venture into there, which is every few weeks.

[krazykatyj]

Eastwood is another option for me. I have a nearly 4 year old plus another baby on the way, so am keen to get myself established before too long, as i don't want to be struggling with new fish and a newborn - lol!

[fiftycal]

Tell us what you really think about SA fifty!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:



Sorry, kids visit this forum too :wink:

[Proteus]

The ADA (Australian Discus Assoiation) have monthly meetings at Parramatta. I am not sure of the date for May but I am sure someone can fill in the blanks.

And as for Strictly, lets just say they serve a purpose (more like a supermarket) however you will get better advice at a specialist "local" aquarium, plus access to a lot more brands (Strictly do carry a lot, but the majority of it is just rebranded AquaOne products)

HTH