If anyone wants critters from the Florida Keys...

[Elysia]

Hi all,

I would like to put an order together with Diver Tom. He collects from the top of the Florida Keys, and I have ordered from him two or three times before and always found him easy to work with. If you give him enough lead time, he usually can get you what it is that you want (unless it is something that he rarely sees) so you aren't restricted to what is currently in stock.

I haven't ordered fish from him before, but I am thinking about doing it this time around. (I am thinking about a Priolepis goby, some pipes, and dwarf horses.) I have ordered sensitive animals like brittle stars, and I think one was DOA. He made sure that he sent more than what I ordered to cover any losses.

Some of the prices are excellent, some are equal to what you would pay retail. I know a lot of you only do SPS, but he sells nice gorgonians for $6.00, and seahorse people usually like gorgonians. And the price of peppermint shrimp has gone through the roof the past year or so, and he has them for $3.60 each.

Yes, some of the scientific names are wrong or out of date.

If my order is big enough, it will be flown via HIA, otherwise, it is Fed Exed, which can be costly (he said it is usually less expensive to fly it if you have two "boxes." Not 100% sure how big a box is or what kind of money I would need to throw down to order two box loads!)

His web site is:

http://www.tomscaribbean.com

 

[volcom69]

Wow carpet anemones for 18 dollars that is very cheap, and i was always fond of some of the gorgonia but not sure how they would do in a all sps tank. I wonder if he even sees any sps probably not, but seems like a pretty neat place never even heard of it before.

 

[2turtles]

Emily -

When are you going to order?

 

[khusson1]

my sister lived in key largo for 25 years and is friends with tom. she speaks very highly of him and his products. ive never ordered from him bcuz for the 2 or 3 things id like the shipping seems too much. but i say thumbs up to toms carribean!

 

[Elysia]

I'll order whenever -- I don't care. Well, I should say that I will email him my order whenever. I like to get algae, like shaving brushes (Penicillus), fans (Udotea), and Halimeda, and he usually has to out out and get them (but its not like they try to evade him, so its not a big deal.)

When I originally asked, he said wait until June or July. So I did. I'll probably be spending what is for me a good bit of money (like upwards of $200 not including shipping, boxing, etc.) It is something I have been anticipating for a while. I know it isn't the best timing w/ the Jason Fox thing and all, but Tom's stuff is likely so totally different. I'll move as fast or as slowly as anyone wants me to.

As long as I can get my slugs, I'll go forward with the order.

 

[stephenrsaiz]

Not to knock his stuff, I'm sure its nice. But, I'd rather drop all the money I can at Jason's. Algae and critters can be purchased anytime.

 

[2turtles]

Don't hold up the order for me, I was just looking to tag along some crabs and snails.

 

[Elysia]

Sure sure Steven... :frog:

I just like my critters more than I have the ability to keep sps corals. I've been waiting months to place this order as it is, so waiting a bit longer is no big deal. It would be cool if other people tag along. I know how it is to want one or two things and it not being worth it to pay full shipping to get the animals to you. This is a good way to avoid that.

I figured if anyone wanted to order anything, I would figure out each person's % of the total bill and add that % of the shipping. But I will take into consideration the fact that I will likely be receiving fish, which will cost more to ship and therefore should cost me an even greater % of the shipping.