bit disappointed with my order from liveaquaria.com

[wav0718]

Just wanted to tell my positive experiences with live aquaria since most of these comments are negative. I have ordered a lot of stuff from them. Mainly from the divers den section. The divers den section comes from their facility in WI while the other regular livestock comes from a facility that is not live aquaria in CA. I think this facility has a partnership with live aquaria and fulfills orders for them and that the quality of service probably runs a little lower.

I have run into some issues but each time live aquaria has fixed the problem, no questions asked. One was a pistol shrimp that was missing from the package, they sent one out right away. The other was an expensive coral that I bought that RTN on me on the 4th day, called them and received credit on my account. That is the great thing about their 14 day guarantee. Plus if you buy any of the certified captive grown corals, there is a 30 day guarantee. There is no other place that will offer this to you. As for fish, I have only had two DOA fish from them out of about 40 fishes ordered. I like the glass spotted cardinals I was also going to call them about some nassarius snails I ordered. I've never seen such small snails before. I measured them and they were only 1/4" but when I looked at the description, they are advertised as approximate purchase size: 1/4" to 1/2", so it was my fault for not looking.

I'm surprised about the photoshopped comment. You can usually tell when a photo has been altered and I haven't seen any signs of their pics being messed with. Here is a link to a pretty good video about reef photo editing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwhVY3zjBBc

 

[HV1990]

Just wanted to tell my positive experiences with live aquaria since most of these comments are negative. I have ordered a lot of stuff from them. Mainly from the divers den section. The divers den section comes from their facility in WI while the other regular livestock comes from a facility that is not live aquaria in CA. I think this facility has a partnership with live aquaria and fulfills orders for them and that the quality of service probably runs a little lower.

I have run into some issues but each time live aquaria has fixed the problem, no questions asked. One was a pistol shrimp that was missing from the package, they sent one out right away. The other was an expensive coral that I bought that RTN on me on the 4th day, called them and received credit on my account. That is the great thing about their 14 day guarantee. Plus if you buy any of the certified captive grown corals, there is a 30 day guarantee. There is no other place that will offer this to you. As for fish, I have only had two DOA fish from them out of about 40 fishes ordered. I like the glass spotted cardinals I was also going to call them about some nassarius snails I ordered. I've never seen such small snails before. I measured them and they were only 1/4" but when I looked at the description, they are advertised as approximate purchase size: 1/4" to 1/2", so it was my fault for not looking.

I'm surprised about the photoshopped comment. You can usually tell when a photo has been altered and I haven't seen any signs of their pics being messed with. Here is a link to a pretty good video about reef photo editing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwhVY3zjBBc

I do agree that their customer service was 100% great. It just was sad to see that many fish die. But yes you are correct in saying that they do take care of their customers.

 

[SammyJ916]

I have seen a few corals that people have boughten from liveaquaria, and I am without a doubt 100 percent certain that they are photoshopped! I have ordered a few fish and an anemone which 2 of the 3 things I ordered did not make it. I called them the next day after my anemone was almost dead and I took it out of the tank so it didn't nuke everything and they did give me a refund back for the anemone and fish I lost but not shipping of course.

Now while I don't agree with purchasing fish from local shops... Besides yourreef which has always been awesome, everyone else in this immediate area I have had horrible luck with disease infested fish. With that said I always buy my fish online from ibluewater.com or pacificislandaquatics.com! Every purchase I have made through these guys is 100 percent healthy and worth the shipping costs as you know you are getting healthy fish without disease and aren't going to loose anything. I have heard some people complain about shipping costs... This is how I look at it, first why not ask around and do a group buy and split shipping with anyone interested, and second a lot of places offer free shipping over a certain amount anyways, and when shipping is not covered the online vendors I mentioned are cheaper than the stores anyways so to me that makes up for the shipping costs knowing I have healthy fish! Anyways that's my two cents in this matter!

 

[SammyJ916]

I have seen a few corals that people have boughten from liveaquaria, and I am without a doubt 100 percent certain that they are photoshopped! I have ordered a few fish and an anemone which 2 of the 3 things I ordered did not make it. I called them the next day after my anemone was almost dead and I took it out of the tank so it didn't nuke everything and they did give me a refund back for the anemone and fish I lost but not shipping of course.

Now while I don't agree with purchasing fish from local shops... Besides yourreef which has always been awesome, everyone else in this immediate area I have had horrible luck with disease infested fish. With that said I always buy my fish online from ibluewater.com or pacificislandaquatics.com! Every purchase I have made through these guys is 100 percent healthy and worth the shipping costs as you know you are getting healthy fish without disease and aren't going to loose anything. I have heard some people complain about shipping costs... This is how I look at it, first why not ask around and do a group buy and split shipping with anyone interested, and second a lot of places offer free shipping over a certain amount anyways, and when shipping is not covered the online vendors I mentioned are cheaper than the stores anyways so to me that makes up for the shipping costs knowing I have healthy fish! Anyways that's my two cents in this matter!

 

[Osteoclast]

I have purchased coral through DD and have been pleased. The colors on the new arrivals are usually accurate. The older pieces may be more variable from what I have heard. The customer support has been good. The SPS I have received have been excellent specimens. So a positive experience. Cannot comment on fish though.