Shopping in the USA

[garfield]

OK, so I was in Detroit and visited some places Sat. like http://www.tropicorium.com/ etc.

My question is what livestock are we legally allowed to bring back to Canada?

My second question is what stores and or mail order places are you guys recommending for great prices on
equipment etc. and are there places here that compete fairly well?

 

[iantower]

Don't know about the border thing, wth the way they are now a days Iwouldn't try myself, probably rip your car apar for a snail or something.
But as for mail order I find that GoReef.com has good prics very fast delivery and is Canadian, great customer care to... Big Als has fast shipping to wth big box store prices... and Bill at incredibleaquarium.com has some stuff,but i's easier to just go pick that stuff up in London, he doesn't have the shipping down yet, but he will ship just takes a bit longer.
Cheers!

 

[shayneh]

I'd say keep spending your money in Canada for a few reasons (political aside) Corals in Canada are (for the most part) actually cheaper here and trying to ship something across only needs one over zealous border/customs officer to delay the shipment and then you have an expensive shipment of goo. Another reason is there are lots of local folks that frag corals and as you develop a relationship with them they may start to take your coral frags on trade for other corals. It's a nice little circle......And even if your not the sociable type there are tons of actual businesses that sell coral here in Canada that are within driving distance or will ship. I prefer to see what I'm buying in person since photoshop can really make a coral pop and that can be disappointing when you get it in your tank and it's not the same.

 

[garfield]

Livestock I would always do in person but the mailorder was more for lights etc.

 

[ricklalonde]

I would be really careful bring corals/fish from the US to Canada. Here are some posts from the Michigan Reefers forum regarding this topic.

http://www.michiganreefers.com/forums/reef-discussion/62226-bringing-fish-corals-usa-canada.html
http://www.michiganreefers.com/forums/reef-discussion/60299-us-canada-border-crossing-woes-corals-seized.html

 

[Seggsy]

I have had good luck at the border bringing stuff accross.  Got my tank used in MI, got my live rock over there, much of my coral.  I just tell the guards what I have and downplay it a bit.  'Used stuff for my aquarium' often softens them up.  I've been pulled over and had them research a coral I was bringing over too - wasn't a big deal for me.  HOWEVER, I don't guarantee that it couldn't be worse - I just take my chances and it seems to work.

I recently did my first on-line order.  I used bulkreefsupply.com.  Wanted to shop local, but no one was close on their cost of bulbs.  Great prices, good customer service.  I had this shipped to MI (so it was free, and not $35) so I could visit some friends.

 

[crazybizzle]

ive gone to tropicorium 3 times and also moby dicks in michigan havnt had any problems with the border i just tell them its fish food and supplies i have had to pay duty all those times thou and i did have a officer ask if i had corals because he said there not allowed across but fish are..as long as their not endangered.

 

[1Zapped2shy]

If you are looking for a shipping address in the US that will sign for your package and then go over to Port Huron to pick it up try bluewatershippingdepot.com. The guy is Canadian and lives there  they charge buy the pound and were very good price wise and If you order comes with free US shipping this works well.  I ordered high power led lighting kit not found in Canada  It was shipped in three packages all arrived and received  in good order. He deals by Email and will tell you when you package has arrived and is ready for pick up.The border Is good for crossing with gear not so good for live stock. Regards Craig