Ordering online.

[FinsToTheLeft]

I have been lurking around reef central for months now as I continue to build and learn about my first SW tank. I never noticed there was a section for reef clubs and a Long Island section. NICE!

Anyway, my question is... Has anyone ordered fish or corals from over the internet?

If so what was your experience? Good/Bad?

I am almost at the point where i will be stocking my tank. There are a few good LFS in the area, but i was toying with the idea or ordering some stuff online but i am apprehensive about it.

Thanks,
-FTTL

 

[mrSnoid]

I always had good experiences ordering fish and coral online from reefermadness and drfostersmith BUT I prefer seeing what I'm getting usually the online livestock is smaller then expected.
You should check out the LIRA club website at http://www.longislandreef.org

 

[jgiordano]

I have ordered online from fragglereef.com and coralfanatics.com. I had really good experiences with both.

I too like to see what I am getting, and also like to patronize the local stores. But sometimes you just don't get the color in zoas and rics that you can online.

Locally (nassau for me) mutts and butts has a really good frag tank, along with aquarium design network in huntington. Pets Warehouse has revamped their coral tanks and they look great. I reallyhope they keep them up!

 

[billsreef]

For corals, just come to club meetings. There's always plenty of good frags, and quite a variety as well

 

[FinsToTheLeft]

Thanks for the info... I feel more confident now that i know people in my area have ordered and have had success.

Its like you guys said... I prefer to see what i am buying first, but sometimes some sites have really interesting looking things or maybe cheaper... Its nice to have options.

-FTTL

 

[breebauer]

Here's what I've learned from ordering coral online, the good and the bad:

Last year I ordered every coral online, but I learned that can sometimes be a little disappointing if the pictures on the website are not the pieces that you'd be getting, or are under different lighting. (then they look totally different in your tank) Try to find out what lighting they use for the pictures before you buy.

From my experience, you'll get nice coral from people here, and save on shipping...since the shipping usually costs more than the actual coral. (Finding a place within the tri-state area can sometimes help with shipping, since overnight shipping will be cheaper.)

Or you could even try trading frags with people where the shipping isn't ridiculous.

I sometimes order online, but only from a few places that I know or someone else I know has ordered from. I like to know where the coral came from and how they got it. If my friend has had good luck, and trusts them, that's a good start.

But, if someone is bulldozing a reef in Fiji to give me a little piece of coral for my tank, that's not someone I want to buy from. I'm not trying to say that's what all online vendors do, but unfortunately, it happens...

But that's just me...
Hope that helps!