Liveaquaria still the go to?

[CP aquatic]

I'm thinking about making a big order sometime soon and was wondering if liveaquaria was still the go to? I've been hearing that some things are not as good as they used to be there? If not liveaquaira where else?

 

[dkeller_nc]

The best place to buy has always been a good local fish shop where you can see the animal before you buy it, and it's in the bag much less time than being shipped from a 'net retailer.

But to your question, I've seen enough posts about major issues with LiveAquaria of late that I'd be very hesitant to place a large order with them.

 

[BillNye]

+1 on local fish shop. I've ordered about 10 things (fish/coral/invert) from LA in the past three months and I'd say 50% of it has survived. Fish store nearby is around 95%.

I've been using ebay as well, buying from sellers that are local so that shipping isn't as stressful or if need be I can just go and pick up. I've ordered maybe 10 frags off ebay for no more than $40 (without shipping), which would be triple that from my local fish store.

 

[CP aquatic]

Thanks for the info and ideas! I will always support the LFS when I can, however when it comes to making a large order (large enough for free shipping) it just makes sense to go online and get more for the same amount I'm willing to spend.

 

[reret10]

I would definitely stress the LFS as well. I mean if you're going to spend 250$ and above then maybe your LFS can cut you a package deal. My LFS had a deal where they give you around 20$ of store credit when you spend 200$ so an extra frag or 2. Mine also always throws in an extra frag or something cool for every 30 or so dollars I spend. Plus, you don't have do deal with shipping stress and its all WYSIWYG! That being said, I've been to some fish shops with mostly half-bleached corals and dying fish for terribly high prices. It's a hit or miss. You might be able to post in your local reef club forums for suggestions of good shops to visit. They have a whole sticky thread about it in the SoCal forums. But if you're dead set on ordering online, Liveaquaria isn't a bad choice IMO.

 

[C3hutson]

My LFS has nothing near the selection of corals that are available online. That being said, I just dealt with cultivated reef for a pair of Wyoming whites and couldn't be happier. I plan on ordering some frags from them.