Live Aquaria or other online stores?
- Thread starter BillNye
- Start date
LiveAquaria's live stock selection and provision doesn't seem so bad, apparently people buy from them with little issues.
The information they provide is kinda subpar though, so only use what they write as a guideline. Look up multiple places for info rather than relying on LiveAquaria.
The information they provide is kinda subpar though, so only use what they write as a guideline. Look up multiple places for info rather than relying on LiveAquaria.
ichthyogeek
New member
I've had two experiences with LiveAquaria (LA), each of them bad. However, let me explain first. Both times I ordered, I ordered during wintertime. I don't remember if they sent heat packs, but I'm pretty sure they didn't. But during the summertime, you might be able to request cooler packs, which can keep the fish from boiling to death. Both times, I was able to get a refund on my order. The fish I ordered were a sixline wrasse, and a bicolor blenny. Finally, the main reason why I don't blame LA, was because I was a freaking newbie back then. I had hubris, and thought that I knew absolutely everything, and I'm almost positive that it was my fault and not LA's during acclimation. The tank I was working with at the time, had only been set up for a few weeks, rather than the few months recommeneded sometimes. But the customer service is wonderful, I'm currently coresponding with the Diver's Den to get more accurate information about the percentage's and types of food they feed certain fish! I'm definitely gonna order from them again.
BillNye
New member
I've done some searching and came across a few that seemed pretty far (east coast, great lakes area). I also found vivid aquariums in N. LA, which I might have to take a small field trip to.
Where else are folks purchasing online?
South City
New member
http://www.reefs2go.com/ & http://www.saltwaterfish.com/
These two are high volume online retailers that offer daily deals and deeply discounted prices. You get what you pay for though and you definitely are going to get better customer service and higher quality livestock at some of the other more established online retailers.
I don't know that I'd ever buy a fish from either of these ones but I have bought clean up crew and pods from there without any problems at prices far below what you'd expect to pay, often with free shipping as well. They also offer pretty good deals on plants and macroalgae which are pretty hard to screw up.
These two are high volume online retailers that offer daily deals and deeply discounted prices. You get what you pay for though and you definitely are going to get better customer service and higher quality livestock at some of the other more established online retailers.
I don't know that I'd ever buy a fish from either of these ones but I have bought clean up crew and pods from there without any problems at prices far below what you'd expect to pay, often with free shipping as well. They also offer pretty good deals on plants and macroalgae which are pretty hard to screw up.
Isaacs55
New member
Hey BillNye,
If you are here in California I would recommend Vivid Aquariums in Canoga Park CA. I haven't had any experience with them myself yet, but have heard nothing but good reviews. They sell online ship for free over 200 dollar purchase and always have good deals. Oh and they PRICE MATCH their fish with other online retailers. Or if you live close or in the area might as well stop in.
scooter31707
New member
+1 on Vividaquariums.com.. I do all my orders from there and they will work with you and even throw in bonuses if you are a repeat customer. All fish are healthy and bigger than expected. Corals are also healthy and colorful. I have ordered there 6 time already, not including dry goods and have nothing but the best of service and products. They have a guarantee and you get a refund if a fish dies within that timeframe. If they don't have nothing in stock they will personally call you and asked/recommend something else that is bigger and better.
jpa0741
New member
No dont use reefs2go! Divers den is great and i have had great experiences with vivid aquarium
maxxII
Super Housemonkey!
I've used LiveAquaria and Diver's Den for years with no negative experiences. On the rare occasion that I needed to use their 2 week guarantee it's been honored with no questions asked.
I've also used Blue Zoo Aquatics, Vivid Aquariums, and Phishy Business with no issues over the years.
In all cases, I've ordered corals, anemones, fish, and clams and I've been very happy with all of these companies and would not hesitate to purchase from again.
I've also used Blue Zoo Aquatics, Vivid Aquariums, and Phishy Business with no issues over the years.
In all cases, I've ordered corals, anemones, fish, and clams and I've been very happy with all of these companies and would not hesitate to purchase from again.
ZoaAddicted
New member
I've ordered from Tidalgardens and theyre great! They are more pricey, but they have quality corals.
SecretiveFish
Member
I have been very happy with Vivid Aquariums but have only purchased corals/inverts from them to date. In the future, I am planning on getting fish from them. I have also been happy with Unique Corals and Cultivated Reef.
Generally, I have been happy with my LA/DD purchases. We had some packaging issues awhile ago, but those were resolved fairly easily with customer service. I have been surprised more than once on the size/coloration of a stock fish! Just be aware, you may order something, but end up not receiving it. For example, I had ordered a wrasse, but apparently when they went to package the fish it either was ill or dead... So I got everything else on the order but the wrasse. The wrasse was kind of the whole point of the order... I know it was not their fault but still lame!
I will never order from Blue Zoo again. Said that a few years ago and have stuck to my guns.
Generally, I have been happy with my LA/DD purchases. We had some packaging issues awhile ago, but those were resolved fairly easily with customer service. I have been surprised more than once on the size/coloration of a stock fish! Just be aware, you may order something, but end up not receiving it. For example, I had ordered a wrasse, but apparently when they went to package the fish it either was ill or dead... So I got everything else on the order but the wrasse. The wrasse was kind of the whole point of the order... I know it was not their fault but still lame!
I will never order from Blue Zoo again. Said that a few years ago and have stuck to my guns.
I have ordered from Live Aquaria and Divers Den and been happy every time with my order.
I recently ordered from Blue Zoo Aquatics for the first time and was blown away by what I found in the box. I ordered all my items by size and price and stated in the order comments that I have a large tank so prefer larger than smaller and everything was huge. They also have a low minimum purchase for free shipping, and covered my one and only loss with a credit within 5 days. I will be a return customer for sure as long as I continue to receive quality product and great customer service.
I recently ordered from Blue Zoo Aquatics for the first time and was blown away by what I found in the box. I ordered all my items by size and price and stated in the order comments that I have a large tank so prefer larger than smaller and everything was huge. They also have a low minimum purchase for free shipping, and covered my one and only loss with a credit within 5 days. I will be a return customer for sure as long as I continue to receive quality product and great customer service.
South City
New member
Because they sell things at a fraction of the price of their competitors and offer free shipping on items that you can't really mess up? I've bought clean up crew, macroalgae and pods from them with no problems whatsoever.
I know full well that if I have a problem with an order from them that I won't get the same level of customer service as I would if I bought from Live Aquaria. I also would never buy a fish from them due to their reputation.
Will I order $70 worth of snails from them for $19.99 with free shipping? Absolutely.
You know, sometimes you shop at Walmart and sometimes you shop at Saks Fifth avenue depending upon what you are buying. It isn't any different for this either.
