Ordering Coral Online???

[kirkplunkett]

So... I've only been in this hobby about seven months. I LOVE IT!!!!

That being said... It seems that the three LFSs that I frequent have very similar selections. I see all these AMAZING specimens here... For much better prices. And even online resources have some really amazing looking selections.

I don't have a lot of time available to run around and collect these specimens from fellow ARC members, and therefore have been sitting on the fence about online orders. I'm extremely apprehensive considering the strict return policies that most online resources have.

So... I come to you guys again for advice. What are your experiences with ordering online?

Do you recommend it? If so, what sites? (PM me if they aren't sponsors)

Are you vehemently opposed to it??? Why?

Should I just make the sacrifice in time and reach out to my fellow ARC members to get my hands on these gorgeous specimens?

I currently (only) have a small head of Frogspawn, a rapidly growing Finger Leather, a couple of very small Red Mushrooms, one nice colony of Blue Florida Ricordea Mushrooms and a multi-colored colony as well (that has spawn several different colonies), a small colony of Green Star Polyps, and a colony of Green Palythoas.

They're all in my 30 Gallon Long Aquarium... It looks sooooo desolate in there. I need all the things! It doesn't help that there was an ich outbreak and there are currently NO FISH.

Thoughts???

 

[purplegorilla]

Here is a little advice. Make sure you choose the WYSIWYG types for online. Even then I am still a little skeptical. A lot of online stores use photoshop to enhance the colors of their corals. I like to see the corals under 10K to 14k lighting. In fact, some of the local stores here display their corals under actinic light also. So if they are reasonable, they would turn on the whites for you to inspect as you requested.

 

[spankdog]

I highly recommend ordering from Reefworks, one of the sponsors here. I have ordered from him 3 times now and have been very happy each time.

 

[kirkplunkett]

purpleGORILLA;792821 wrote: In fact, some of the local stores here display their corals under actinic light also. So if they are reasonable, they would turn on the whites for you to inspect as you requested.

Yes... I've actually went to purchase items before at two of the three and was immediately asked what my lighting setup is. Both stores changed the lighting and said, "It won't look anything like that in your tank... I'll look like this."

I love these two stores, and have (kind of) stopped going to the third due to bad advice SEVERAL times... To the point of almost having my tank crash and loosing everything.

I totally trust the other two... They've never steered me wrong. But I'd like more options...

Edit:

spankdog;792822 wrote: I highly recommend ordering from Reefworks, one of the sponsors here. I have ordered from him 3 times now and have been very happy each time.

Reefworks... Check.

 

[dawgface]

spankdog;792822 wrote: i highly recommend ordering from reefworks, one of the sponsors here. I have ordered from him 3 times now and have been very happy each time.

+1

 

[dubkie]

DawgFace;792826 wrote: +1

+1... lucky for me, it is a 5 minute drive!

 

[bluespot]

Dubkie, I am lucky like you. I am right in the middle between Reefworks and Bob's. Few minutes to either one. Kirkplunkett you really cant go wrong with Reefworks. Ryan will take care of you. He is great for answering questions also. He can overnight ship your order to anywhere in GA for $15.

 

[islandreef]

spankdog;792822 wrote: I highly recommend ordering from Reefworks, one of the sponsors here. I have ordered from him 3 times now and have been very happy each time.

+1 you wont be sorry. His customer service is like no other. The additional free frags dont hurt either.

 

[eagle9252]

+1

 

[cj22009]

Spikescorals also is a good one everything I have gotten from him has been sensational

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[shanepike]

cj22009;797020 wrote: Spikescorals also is a good one everything I have gotten from him has been sensational

+1000 ... Plus the service is phenomenal.

 

[darren24]

Always remember that the picture you see is a close up of the coral so when you get it and put it in the tank it may look a little different.

 

[rdnelson]

Can't argue about Reefworks or Spikes from all I have seen but......

Can you spare one evening a month? If so, come out to the monthly meetings. You get to know everyone and before you know it your tank will be filling up with lots of cool stuff. Participation has it's rewards. Come look at my tank some day and let me point out to you what I all I have been given or what I got at a bargin basement prices. You can't beat the people on this site.