LFS vs. online stores

C

Corriebh

New member
Hi Guys

I am just wondering what everyone's experience has been buying fish, invertebrates and corals at the LFS vs. online? I have always bought fish in a store and now I am thinking about buying a few online. It is a little scary to order online without seeing the fish but I like the larger selection.

And if you have had good experience buying online what sites were you successful with.

Thanks
 
Corriebh said:
Hi Guys

I am just wondering what everyone's experience has been buying fish, invertebrates and corals at the LFS vs. online? I have always bought fish in a store and now I am thinking about buying a few online. It is a little scary to order online without seeing the fish but I like the larger selection.

And if you have had good experience buying online what sites were you successful with.

Thanks
Click to expand...

This can go both ways. One plus to LFS over online sources is you can see the fish eat and observe behaviors for signs of disease/overall health. LiveAquaria/DD and NYAquatics are the only two online sources worth looking at, don't waste your time with any other places
 
I am lucky to have a great LFS Pampered Pets in Toledo Ohio. But if your LFS can not get you what you want most people agree that Live Aquaria is great. The one time I ordered from them I got the wrong fish, but they gave me a credit to order a different fish very little fus, and great customer service.
 
LA/DD here, too. the closest lfs to me is an hour away. they rarely have much other than the usual tangs and clownfish. their tanks are full of ich. once in a blue moon, i will find a decent coral there but it doesn't happen often.
 
Just one other quick question.....I live in Wisconsin and currently it is 10 degrees outside. Does LA give you a window as far as when they will be delivered. I don't want fish ice cubes :)
 
+1 to Live Aquaria/Diver's Den here too although I've also ordered a few times from Vivid Aquariums with nice results. I always made sure to personally call Dave though so that could be why...not sure if just went straight website what it'd be like TBH. Just remember if you go online about not keeping the fish in the bags too long after opening them due to ammonium>ammonia conversion.
 
I've had good luck with both LA and saltwaterfish.com, personally. I've recently started added some mushrooms to my FOWLR, and have been using my LFS for that since he frags a lot of stuff and sells it cheap. As far as cleanup crews go, I don't bother looking anywhere other than reefcleaners. John's the best.
 
Corriebh said:
Just one other quick question.....I live in Wisconsin and currently it is 10 degrees outside. Does LA give you a window as far as when they will be delivered. I don't want fish ice cubes :)
Click to expand...

They use UPS now so overnight priority is guaranteed by 1030am but be sure and check the fine print on UPS to make sure you don't live in a area that delivers later than that
 
Live Aquaria/ Divers Den is my online go to place. I just got a pbt/hippo from DD in today, as Dmorty said it came by 10:30 AM. They included 3 heat packs and the box was VERY warm inside when I opened it.

Both fish are fat and happy in my QT.
 
I just ordered some fish by mail and it was my first time. Out of 9 fish one was DOA and I have a Flame Angel that was active and looked good for about 6 hour now laying on its side at the bottom of the tank, only time will tell but I bet he is a goner. It was from one of the places listed above and not live aquaria.
 
alf, how did you acclimate? did you add all of these fish to your dt at the same time?
 
I do like to buy and support my LFS. Most owners will do what they can to order you what fish you want. In my case, they will even special order tanks/stands and other dry goods for you. Yes, you can order online, but I like the personal customer service and you can actually watch the fish eat at a LFS. I like walking into mine and the people know you, and know your tank set up, so they can help you better.
 
If your going to order online I have to agree with everyone with using live aquaria, but I prefer to go to my lfs so I know exactly what fish or coral I'm getting and if it's healthy.
 
La switched to ups, no winter orders for me, 5-8pm garentted. I have to go online or drive 4 hours to the closest actual Lfs. Which occasionally happens
 
If you are buying from an LFS, it would be best to find out if they run copper in their system. If they do, inspection for health won't work out reliably since copper masks many parasites.
 
I am in my LFS frequently to see what they get in, and try to support them as much as possible. But there are those few instances when LA/DD will get fish in, that are just "gems" that you gave to buy.

For me...buying my Gold Assessor Basslet from LA /DD was one of those instances. The coloring and behavior is just awesome.
 
For fish and inverts, LA/ DD is by far the best online vendor I've dealt with.

For Corals, DD, Vivid, Yourreef, Unique, Battlecorals.
FWIW, with Vivid, they call you once they get your order ready to confirm the order, confirm the shipping, and make any substitutions if anything you order is out of stock. Nice touch.
 
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