Bad store...check....good store...?

[ljamie82]

Quick question about the stores in town. I went to get some water to top off my tank the other day, and they almost refused to give me water because my bucket was not an "approved container."

Since when do they care if I contaminate my own tank. Regardless it was a 5 gallon bucket that a salt mix came in, completely safe. They agreed to sell me the water this time, but I would have to PURCHASE a special 5 gallon bucket from them for 7.50! 7.50 for a plastic bucket so I can spend more money with them buying water! That is rediculous. Please tell me all of the stores in town are not like this. I just start going to a culligan station and getting their ro for much less!

And I just realized how much I paid for it too. A lot more than what I was paying before moving here. I'm not saying the store's name b/c I do NOT want people to think I'm complaining or putting down a store. I am, but as long as I don't give any indication of who they are I THINK i'm ok LOL. Really I'm just wanting input. Thanks

 

[pwhitby]

was this in Oklahoma city?

 

[ljamie82]

Yea it was here in Oklahoma City. I'm just more or less wanting to know that requiring the purchase of a special pail is not standard procedure across stores here in the metro.

Before moving here, I knew what stores were good for fish, for invertibrates, who had the best water purifier... and I even knew a couple of stores that most people avoided.... that was before moving to OKC. I of course have to come to my own conclusions as to what I like and don't like here in OKC, but that wasn't a very good start.

Anyway aside from a responce on the water issue, can ya'll give me an idea of some of your fav shops in town?

In Tulsa I loved Aquarium Oddballs... good fair prices and real life advice, not that pretty of a shop though. I liked Reef Revolution. They were the ones that got me started. Very good by the book advice, awesome coral selection. Premier Aquatics wasn't as friendly of a staff, but wonderful setup with a great selection and they're the type that wouldn't recommend anything but the best.

Like I said I know I have to learn the shops myself, but a little direction, some suggestions would be cool. Thanks guys

 

[Gwalker]

I know that I fill other store's 5 gallon jugs all the time. I probably see around 100 or so every week that have those big red letters on them. The ones I sell are free of any graffiti.

Gary

 

[mskohl]

ljamie82,

Welcome to OKC and the COMAS forum. I'm sure you'll have better experiences when you visit other local stores. I've never run into a problem with a store refusing to fill a container, but I'd guess that I started with the store you visited and bought their containers. Just one of those learning curve things in this hobby. I don't think anyone will turn away a customer.

Visis our COMAS website for a list of the local stores and directions on how to get there. This is the website: www.mycomas.com

Stephanie

 

[sadsak]

Gary your too funny!!!

 

[sadsak]

ART & Aquariums are the two that I use and both are wonderful shops and both do not discrimanate against were you got your jug ...Both are Very REPUTABALE

I shop all over town and find good deals all over but I trust these two shops and their owners. There are some wonderful shops in Norman and other parts of town but they"re a little out of the way for me.

 

[MyMonkey]

I second the above mentioned comment about A.R.T. Gary and Emily go out of their way to assist fishkeepers. Aquariums in Edmond is good as well. Both very nice and helpful. Aquarium Concepts is another good bet. The Reef Shop has an excellent selection, but the prices are generally high. I have never personally had advice from them. There is a new shop on Mustang Road, I have not been to yet.

Regarding the "buy my bucket" sales practice. First, I have no qualms about posting my opinion of any LFS, name included. So long as that opinion is based on a factual representation of first hand experience. Although, that view varies from one to person another. I feel as though the attitude expressed by the store in your post should not be accepted. This might just reduce such negativity.

In the end, I recommend buying an RO/DI unit. It is worth it.

 

[papagimp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8133113#post8133113 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MyMonkey

In the end, I recommend buying an RO/DI unit. It is worth it.

That's what I thought, but if you live anywhere near penn and sw 15th then not so good of an idea, water is so bad i have to replaced cartridges every 2 months, if they last that long. cheaper for me to buy water, wich I just started and I think I know the store he's refering too, lol. I'm now the proud owner of 8 graffitii covered jugs. Nice to know that ART won't discriminate against my jugs.

 

[herpchat]

I totally 100% concure

 

[MyMonkey]

8 jugs? Wow. I have made it by with only 2 for over a year.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8137130#post8137130 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by papagimp
That's what I thought, but if you live anywhere near penn and sw 15th then not so good of an idea, water is so bad i have to replaced cartridges every 2 months, if they last that long. cheaper for me to buy water, wich I just started and I think I know the store he's refering too, lol. I'm now the proud owner of 8 graffitii covered jugs. Nice to know that ART won't discriminate against my jugs.

Make sure that you use a TDS meter on water bought from stores. Some stores don't change their filters. I don't know any in the COMAS area, and I don't know any OMAS supporting stores that don't. But it is very possible. There was a thread in the Advanced Forum where a guy wasn't able to pinpoint why he was having all sorts of problems. For starters his store would only tell him his parameters were "good" and not show him or give him actual numbers. On top of that, the TDS from their RO/DI unit was 700+ while tap water was far less. Needless to say, he got his own RO/DI unit and is doing much better.