Michigan Cichlid Association
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Patrick on February 27, 2013, 03:49:20 PM
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Does anyone have any suggestions for the best place to buy a glass aquarium top? I need a 20L. It is looking like Amazon right now is the best. The local Petsmart and Pet Supplies plus does not carry them.
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Does anyone have any suggestions for the best place to buy a glass aquarium top? I need a 20L. It is looking like Amazon right now is the best. The local Petsmart and Pet Supplies plus does not carry them.
How much is the one from Amazon? If you're ordering several, you may do better checking at some of the other major online retailers, e.g. Big Al's, That Pet Place, etc.
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Or if your handy you could make your own. Glass at a hardware store is much cheaper.
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I get my glass tops from here... http://greatlakesaquariums.com/aquarium/glass-aquarium/hinged-glass-covers.aspx (http://greatlakesaquariums.com/aquarium/glass-aquarium/hinged-glass-covers.aspx)
They can cut to whatever size you want if they don't have it stocked. They do hinged, sliding and custom tops. Located off of Dequindre and 13.5 Mile.
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Thanks! Big help guys.
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Dan Bechtol
(313) 247-7256
He's in Livonia though
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My Garage :P
I might have some
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I get my glass tops from here... http://greatlakesaquariums.com/aquarium/glass-aquarium/hinged-glass-covers.aspx (http://greatlakesaquariums.com/aquarium/glass-aquarium/hinged-glass-covers.aspx)
They can cut to whatever size you want if they don't have it stocked. They do hinged, sliding and custom tops. Located off of Dequindre and 13.5 Mile.
+1
Popped in the for the first time a couple wks ago; I didn't buy anything, but the staff was friendly and knowledgeable
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Great lakes made mine.
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Did you ask them at Petco? because I know the local one here on 16mile and Rochester rd carries them and they are pretty cheap as well, that's where I got mine from.
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Did you ask them at Petco? because I know the local one here on 16mile and Rochester rd carries them and they are pretty cheap as well, that's where I got mine from.
Go with the locally, privately owned company instead of a big chain store.
Greatlakes will make them the EXACT dimension you want and you can get them in a hinged or sliding variety. And their price is just as good as any of the big stores.
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I am going to Great Lakes tomorrow. Thanks everybody.
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Did you ask them at Petco? because I know the local one here on 16mile and Rochester rd carries them and they are pretty cheap as well, that's where I got mine from.
Go with the locally, privately owned company instead of a big chain store.
Greatlakes will make them the EXACT dimension you want and you can get them in a hinged or sliding variety. And their price is just as good as any of the big stores.
I am all for going privately when it is reasonable, but going private is not always the best option. When I bought my glass tops I checked at both the Private LFS and they were $27 each (I needed 4 of them) I went to Petco and they were $14.99 each. So spending $60 rather than $110 it was pretty simple to see which way was best for me. I'm all for supporting local private shops, but cost has to be taken into concern, and don't forget just because it is a big box store does not mean it does not help support the local economy as well. After all the people that work there are local American blue collar hourly workers and they have to have a job to support their families just the same as well as the local private shop owners do.
Again don't get me wrong I am all for supporting local private shops, I'm a small business owner myself (non-aquarium related) but I never have cared for the "support private at all costs" attitude though because it doesn't always work out to be the best in every situation.
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Now, I am not saying to go spend more just because it is local. I just bought a AquaClear for $39 off Amazon... cheapest I found it locally was $59. That I cant justify to buy local. Hard as it is for me to say that.
Yes, the big stores employ locally. But there are so many more benefits to buying local, privately owned stores. It helps that local owner so much more. Plus... small businesses are having a hard time competing with the large stores. Sad to see so many going out of business.
I keep say GreatLakes because it is an EXCELLENT store with TONS of knowledge and EXCELLENT prices. I got my custom glass tops for my 140 gallon for the same price, or cheaper than I could find glass tops anywhere. And they were custom fit, and ended up PERFECT.
I dont spout to support local at any cost... but I do YELL to SUPPORT LOCAL when AT ALL POSSIBLE and FEASIBLE.
Big box stores are killing small business.
OK, I am done now.
;D
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I understand Ken trust me I do, but what I am saying is this. As you said buying local private store helps to support "that store owner" ....buy buying larger chain store helps to support the jobs of 15-20 local workers. I'm not trying to say you are wrong or anything like that. I'm just saying that I think people somewhat miss that these large stores are in fact supporting the local economy because if they were not there then many local workers would be unemployed.
I haven't had the chance to go to Great Lakes shop but if they are locally owned and have equal pricing then for sure by all means use them :)
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Since we are off on a tangent here...
I dont believe that those 12 workers would be out of a job if that big store was not there. They would be working elsewhere. Maybe one of the 6 privately owned pet stores that closed up because of the big store opening in their neighborhood?
Down with Walmart! (hehehe)
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I dunno man there are way too many people here in the Detroit area that are having a hard enough time finding work as it is so 12-20 people from each store looking for work would not help the situation IMO. Difference of opinion I guess is all no worries. Now excuse me I have to go to Walmart lol ;)
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It's not only the "Big Box Stores" that are putting the small shops out of business, but the "Online Retailers" like Amazon that sell filters for $39 when the cheapest locally are $59!!!
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It's not only the "Big Box Stores" that are putting the small shops out of business, but the "Online Retailers" like Amazon that sell filters for $39 when the cheapest locally are $59!!!
:-)
I was waiting for that. I'll pay a couple bucks more, but when the price is that big of a difference and I am. Buying two, i had to.
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It's not only the "Big Box Stores" that are putting the small shops out of business, but the "Online Retailers" like Amazon that sell filters for $39 when the cheapest locally are $59!!!
Yea those online guys are horrible. :P
You need to look at online retailers in a different light. Those retailers are not the problem, but of course I would never admit that I was part of the problem. ;) They are the effect of the problem not the cause of the problem. The problem is the manufacturers that choose to do business in the manner that they do. Manufacturers sell their products based on volume - buy more units and the price goes down. That is the way the world has worked for basically ever. The problem comes into play when a retailer can order more than most distributors. Those retailers can than sell their products to the public for less than the typical distributor can sell them to stores. This creates a situation where a manufacturers products have no price integrity. The sad thing is ALMOST ALL manufacturers don't care. They are run by people just worried about keeping their jobs by getting sales by any means necessary.
The only thing of real concern would be how Amazon operates. Few people know that it took Amazon 8 years to show its first profit. The reason is they wanted sales at any cost - even if it meant a loss. Any independent book store that didn't drastically change its business model went under, followed by the big box stores. They didn't worry about making money, only taking as much volume as possible and in turn putting everyone else out of business. Now that they are the only one in the game of books, publishers have to play by Amazon's rules and Amazon is making profits. Amazon's agenda is to do the same thing in EVERY product category - including pets. I don't like what Amazon is doing, but to be frank it is pretty impressive at the same time. You as a consumer should be concerned for 2 reasons - 1) if independent pet stores continue to go out of business that will severely limit availability of live stock and 2) once all the Amazon's competitors go out of business prices will sky rocket on Amazon.
And to those who think that Amazon won't ever put everyone out of business - I'm sure that is exactly want Borders and Barnes and Noble thought 5 years ago. Now I don't even know where there is a book store. I hope the same things do not actually happen with in the pet industry.
My advise to any retailer of any product line: be proactive and start supporting those manufacturers who don't whore out their products. If the public can buy something from a competitor for less or the same price you can buy it for then don't sell that product and replace that product shelf space with something else.
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It's not only the "Big Box Stores" that are putting the small shops out of business, but the "Online Retailers" like Amazon that sell filters for $39 when the cheapest locally are $59!!!
Yea those online guys are horrible. :P
You need to look at online retailers in a different light. Those retailers are not the problem, but of course I would never admit that I was part of the problem. ;) They are the effect of the problem not the cause of the problem. The problem is the manufacturers that choose to do business in the manner that they do. Manufacturers sell their products based on volume - buy more units and the price goes down. That is the way the world has worked for basically ever. The problem comes into play when a retailer can order more than most distributors. Those retailers can than sell their products to the public for less than the typical distributor can sell them to stores. This creates a situation where a manufacturers products have no price integrity. The sad thing is ALMOST ALL manufacturers don't care. They are run by people just worried about keeping their jobs by getting sales by any means necessary.
The only thing of real concern would be how Amazon operates. Few people know that it took Amazon 8 years to show its first profit. The reason is they wanted sales at any cost - even if it meant a loss. Any independent book store that didn't drastically change its business model went under, followed by the big box stores. They didn't worry about making money, only taking as much volume as possible and in turn putting everyone else out of business. Now that they are the only one in the game of books, publishers have to play by Amazon's rules and Amazon is making profits. Amazon's agenda is to do the same thing in EVERY product category - including pets. I don't like what Amazon is doing, but to be frank it is pretty impressive at the same time. You as a consumer should be concerned for 2 reasons - 1) if independent pet stores continue to go out of business that will severely limit availability of live stock and 2) once all the Amazon's competitors go out of business prices will sky rocket on Amazon.
And to those who think that Amazon won't ever put everyone out of business - I'm sure that is exactly want Borders and Barnes and Noble thought 5 years ago. Now I don't even know where there is a book store. I hope the same things do not actually happen with in the pet industry.
My advise to any retailer of any product line: be proactive and start supporting those manufacturers who don't whore out their products. If the public can buy something from a competitor for less or the same price you can buy it for then don't sell that product and replace that product shelf space with something else.
Extremely well stated Jeff....now go unclog that toilet :P
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It's not only the "Big Box Stores" that are putting the small shops out of business, but the "Online Retailers" like Amazon that sell filters for $39 when the cheapest locally are $59!!!
Yea those online guys are horrible. :P
You need to look at online retailers in a different light. Those retailers are not the problem, but of course I would never admit that I was part of the problem. ;) They are the effect of the problem not the cause of the problem. The problem is the manufacturers that choose to do business in the manner that they do. Manufacturers sell their products based on volume - buy more units and the price goes down. That is the way the world has worked for basically ever. The problem comes into play when a retailer can order more than most distributors. Those retailers can than sell their products to the public for less than the typical distributor can sell them to stores. This creates a situation where a manufacturers products have no price integrity. The sad thing is ALMOST ALL manufacturers don't care. They are run by people just worried about keeping their jobs by getting sales by any means necessary.
The only thing of real concern would be how Amazon operates. Few people know that it took Amazon 8 years to show its first profit. The reason is they wanted sales at any cost - even if it meant a loss. Any independent book store that didn't drastically change its business model went under, followed by the big box stores. They didn't worry about making money, only taking as much volume as possible and in turn putting everyone else out of business. Now that they are the only one in the game of books, publishers have to play by Amazon's rules and Amazon is making profits. Amazon's agenda is to do the same thing in EVERY product category - including pets. I don't like what Amazon is doing, but to be frank it is pretty impressive at the same time. You as a consumer should be concerned for 2 reasons - 1) if independent pet stores continue to go out of business that will severely limit availability of live stock and 2) once all the Amazon's competitors go out of business prices will sky rocket on Amazon.
And to those who think that Amazon won't ever put everyone out of business - I'm sure that is exactly want Borders and Barnes and Noble thought 5 years ago. Now I don't even know where there is a book store. I hope the same things do not actually happen with in the pet industry.
My advise to any retailer of any product line: be proactive and start supporting those manufacturers who don't whore out their products. If the public can buy something from a competitor for less or the same price you can buy it for then don't sell that product and replace that product shelf space with something else.
At some point in the future, I expect part of Amazon's advantage over brick and mortar stores to shrink, because all of the states that aren't forcing Amazon to collect sales tax are going to wise up and go after them for the sheer amount of revenue it will generate. Frankly, I'm surprised more business organizations like the chamber of commerce haven't put a buzz in legislators ears already.
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It's not only the "Big Box Stores" that are putting the small shops out of business, but the "Online Retailers" like Amazon that sell filters for $39 when the cheapest locally are $59!!!
Yea those online guys are horrible. :P
You need to look at online retailers in a different light. Those retailers are not the problem, but of course I would never admit that I was part of the problem. ;) They are the effect of the problem not the cause of the problem. The problem is the manufacturers that choose to do business in the manner that they do. Manufacturers sell their products based on volume - buy more units and the price goes down. That is the way the world has worked for basically ever. The problem comes into play when a retailer can order more than most distributors. Those retailers can than sell their products to the public for less than the typical distributor can sell them to stores. This creates a situation where a manufacturers products have no price integrity. The sad thing is ALMOST ALL manufacturers don't care. They are run by people just worried about keeping their jobs by getting sales by any means necessary.
The only thing of real concern would be how Amazon operates. Few people know that it took Amazon 8 years to show its first profit. The reason is they wanted sales at any cost - even if it meant a loss. Any independent book store that didn't drastically change its business model went under, followed by the big box stores. They didn't worry about making money, only taking as much volume as possible and in turn putting everyone else out of business. Now that they are the only one in the game of books, publishers have to play by Amazon's rules and Amazon is making profits. Amazon's agenda is to do the same thing in EVERY product category - including pets. I don't like what Amazon is doing, but to be frank it is pretty impressive at the same time. You as a consumer should be concerned for 2 reasons - 1) if independent pet stores continue to go out of business that will severely limit availability of live stock and 2) once all the Amazon's competitors go out of business prices will sky rocket on Amazon.
And to those who think that Amazon won't ever put everyone out of business - I'm sure that is exactly want Borders and Barnes and Noble thought 5 years ago. Now I don't even know where there is a book store. I hope the same things do not actually happen with in the pet industry.
My advise to any retailer of any product line: be proactive and start supporting those manufacturers who don't whore out their products. If the public can buy something from a competitor for less or the same price you can buy it for then don't sell that product and replace that product shelf space with something else.
Not all online retailers are making money..... Some cannot even afford a simple T-shirt for a buddy. ;) :P
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So I went to Great Lakes today. The guy didn't have any 20L tops in stock, and would only custom make a sliding top. Well, I didn't want a sliding top, and he wanted 29.00 for it (not bad but I didn't want that design).
So I left and rolled over to Best Pets. That place is horrible. Dirty wAter, sick fish, questionable counter help, but they did have my top for 30.99.
So I decided to check out Pet Smart on 16/Rochester. They had it, so I got it for 21.99. In this case, the big box store won the business.
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So I left and rolled over to Best Pets. That place is horrible. Dirty wAter, sick fish, questionable counter help, but they did have my top for 30.99.
Yeah don't waste you're time with them anymore. It's really a shame because they use to be a good LFS back when I lived in Madison Heights back in the early 90's. But last time I was in there about a month ago I was shocked at just how dirty and really just plain unkept it had become. Really a shame to see what they let that place turn into because I use to get some really nice Cichlids from them 20 yrs ago :-[
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I don't see that place staying in business much longer. The condition of the fish he had for sale was deplorable and the water looked like it had not been changed in years. Makes we really appreciate Kee's.