Buying Fish/Corals Online

[kirkplunkett]

Hello ARC!!! I've been reef keeping for almost 4 years... I've learned a lot (but probably not enough... ). You guys have yet to steer me wrong, so here I am again...

I recently purchased Darren's Deep Blue 60 Gallon rimless. (I believe he got the tank from Rich a couple of years ago.) I previously had a 30 gallon long, and a 30 cube that I combined into the one cube when I moved last September. All together, I had roughly 60-65 Lbs. of rock in the cube since moving with a total water volume of about 21 gallons (no sump) just waiting for a bigger tank. I've spent my last year acquiring good equipment that I could use for a larger tank once the right deal came along. Not much changed other than equipment.

After acquiring the 60 cube and settling into the new tank, I've decided to move in a new direction. I've been keeping primarily softies, with minor success keeping a few LPS and SPS. I'm currently in the process of removing some nuisance corals I got when I was a little over zealous in the beginning that have became a pain in the butt. Afterwards, I intend on keeping primarily high-end zoas and LPS, with a few SPS sprinkled across the top of my aquascaping for good measure. (I've even got one NPS that's doing pretty well in a nice shady cave... )

Currently, my equipment list is as follows: RS100 sump w/ Sicce 3.0 return; Reef Octopus SSS110 skimmer; 2 MP10Wes (master/slave); Radion Gen3; and a Reeflink.

I put 40 Lbs. of new sand in when I moved all my livestock and rock to the new display... So, I'm kind of playing the waiting game again and letting everything balance out a bit before making any drastic changes.

My question is this... Once I'm ready to move forward and start stocking my tank again, I'd like to expand my search and utilize the interwebs as an additional resource. However, this truly scares the %^&* out of me. I've never bought frags or fish online... And to be honest, I'm not sure I want to. However, I want to put a small Kole Tang and a small Potter's Angelfish into the tank. I haven't seen either of these specimens in the smaller variety readily available around ATL in the LFS. So, I'm afraid I may have to take a leap of faith. BUT... I can't just walk into this blind...

I'd like to hear some success stories, as well as any horror stories you guys may want to share. Who do you use for online shopping? Who would you recommend/use again? Who will you never use again and NEVER recommend?

Thanks in advance everyone!

 

[rdnelson]

I have never ordered on line but have seen mixed results posted here over the past couple years. I think Divers Den on Live Aquaria has a very good track record on fish. Corals seem to do well if you stick with one of the better known e-trailers. I know Spikes Corals would one of my first choices for on-line ordering of corals.

I am surprised you are having trouble finding a Kole Tang. I know Pure Reef almost always has a few of them.

 

[kirkplunkett]

I haven't been to Pure in about a year... Maybe I need to make the trek out there when I feel the tank is ready for the new additions!

Thanks Rich!

 

[rdnelson]

No problem. And BTW, that tank did not come from me.

 

[brick fish house]

The couple times I have ordered from dr foster and smith were okay. They did credit me for what didn't make it.

I am, however, more inclined to buy a fish I can see for myself and observe to see its health and how well it eats / has been eating. My first choice is from a fellow hobbyist. I am reasonably sure that someone won't sell me a bad fish - at least not without telling me what's up beforehand.

Hope this helps!

 

[kirkplunkett]

No other input? Come on ARC!!! Don't fail me now!!!!!

 

[tonymission]

I buy most of my corals online since i can't find what I want locally. Never had an issue. Have some really solid coral contacts if you're looking for some more rare items

 

[dawgface]

kirkplunkett;977171 wrote: No other input? Come on ARC!!! Don't fail me now!!!!!

I have absolutely no concern of buying softies and LPS from a dozen etailers.

Fish concern me when I can see them in stores. I rarely buy online fish unless I'm after the truly rare and a select few have them.

Of those I can only speak for Live Aquaria (Divers Den) and Pacific Island Aquatics. Both in all circumstances were A+ in quality and packaging. Still, wouldn't run out looking to mail fish unless really, really in the need like in the past.

 

[tonymission]

DawgFace;977181 wrote: I have absolutely no concern of buying softies and LPS from a dozen etailers.



Fish concern me when I can see them in stores. I rarely buy online fish unless I'm after the truly rare and a select few have them.



Of those I can only speak for Live Aquaria (Divers Den) and Pacific Island Aquatics. Both in all circumstances were A+ in quality and packaging. Still, wouldn't run out looking to mail fish unless really, really in the need like in the past.

I agree. Always been reluctant to buy fish online because you don't know if they're eating, swimming sideways and all that sort of thing. Bought a pair of swallowtail angels after striking out locally from live aquaria and I was amazed how well they were packed and how healthy they were. Still was very nervous and my wife made me stay home to acclimate them since she didn't want to get blamed for anything... I normally have her picture all my frags that I get in and put in the frag tank. That's easy.

 

[skriz]

Buy local. Not only do you support local businesses, but you can see the fish or coral before you buy; make sure it's esting, if it's been through QT and is in good health, etc.

As fsr as online vendors, divers den is the best.

 

[marquiseo]

I often buy online because of better prices and selection. TBH some of the stores here in ATL over charge for simple corals such as Ricordea florida. Those often range from $10-$20 but here they are $30 -$50 which is ridiculous. Here are the sites I buy from:

<u>FISH</u>
Liveaquaria</em> - Best online guarantee. 14 Day guarantee. They usually refund all money or give instore credit with no questions asked. Divers Den fish are quarantined and well taken care of.
Bluezooaquatics</em> - next to best online guarantee.


<u>CORALS</u>
AquaSD</em> - Great selection. Rare corals. I usually buy to free shipping so I can't comment on shipping cost.
Uniquecorals</em> - Great selection. Cheap shipping rate at $19.99.
Rarereef</em>(Facebook) - Cheap corals. Best place to buy corals for starter tank. $49.99 Shipping rate is the only thing I don't like about it.


I do support others when they say support your local fish store but the prices at some of the stores are ridiculous and plain highway robbery which forces me to go back to online buying. That's just my opinion.

 

[tonymission]

I've been robbed by a couple LFS who just make up their prices depending on who they're talking to (how much money they think they have) and how much they think that person wants the coral. I've later found out that the retailer(s) sold the same piece to someone else for significantly less.

Short term profiteering costs them money in the long term. I know they have overhead and I've always paid a little more to buy something local but don't charge me 300-500%. I'm not an idiot and don't appreciate that repayment for my loyalty and larger tickets. There are only so many reefers in metro Atlanta that are ok regularly spending hundreds on corals... Don't push them away or you get stuck slanging $10 frags to keep the lights on.

And yes, this is generally directed at one (maybe two) store(s). Maybe they'll get the hint and turn things around.

 

[kirkplunkett]

Good info coming in... Yes, I fully agree with keeping it local as well. However, due to the fact that I'm searching for a small fish in both of these specimen, I'm thinking I may have better luck online rather than trolling around town in my search. I definitely intent on calling my favorite stores prior to ordering though.

Keep it coming guys (and gals)!

 

[declanisadog]

I've bought corals off ebay on multiple occasions (cornbred), and never had problems. Liveaquaria is hands down the best for fish. They really go above and beyond everyone as far as quality/health of everything that comes from them.

 

[jrhunter0000]

Jason fox and WWC are the best for coral. I will order inverted and cc from a guy on ebay i think his name is atyourdoorfishstore hes the cheapest and credits for doa. For fish i used LA or Saltwaterfish just look at google reviews before you buy.

 

[tonymission]

BattleCorals is the best for SPS. Hands down top notch service and you can always work out some ridiculous deals with him if you buy multiple pieces. The website doesn't have everything up to date and he prices based on how much of something he has, not how trendy it is.

Plus he's from Wisconsin like me so he's extra cool. :shades:

 

[kirkplunkett]

tonymission;977420 wrote: Plus he's from Wisconsin like me so he's extra cool. :shades:

Hahahahaha...

 

[cutman1975]

I have never bought fish online before but have ordered hundreds of corals cornbread or Richard 4x times, sexy corals 3x times, Jason fox 2x times, aqua sd 2x times, reef raft or tony 2x times, any one of them r great they label bag heat pack or cool pack them and always packed well. And I know for a fact cornbread stands behind his product just last week had a large order placed and it was going to be here thurs morning at 1030 FedEx lost package showed up on my door step mon morning of course all were dead even though it was not his fault he is replacing my whole order and shipping it to me Monday.

 

[davidinga]

Who is cornbred???

 

[cutman1975]

One of the bigger coral shops or website on the net he has great stuff some can be a little high but real nice stuff he is out of Florida