Purchasing fish online?¿

[Neptune 555]

OK I am going to try ordering my fish on line b/c my last few experiences sold me sick fish.. and they don't QT anyway or refund money if it dies in 2 days. I just cant figure out how the poor little fish stays alive in winter so I have been holding out placing my first order until it warms up? Experiences with shipping in cold? My QT tank is ready ...

Neptune

 

[Fishyoga]

Can anyone suggest an online supplier that will ship to the snowbanks up north? so far I couldn't find one that ships individually to Canada. I could ask my LFS, but figured I'd start with the experience here....

 

[Marshall O]

OK I am going to try ordering my fish on line b/c my last few experiences sold me sick fish.. and they don't QT anyway or refund money if it dies in 2 days. I just cant figure out how the poor little fish stays alive in winter so I have been holding out placing my first order until it warms up? Experiences with shipping in cold? My QT tank is ready ...

Neptune

When shipped right. I find it is actually a better time of year to ship in cold weather than hot. I have had great luck with those I bought during the winter.

On another note, where abouts in NH are you? There are a few very good LFS around the Salem area.

 

[RayL]

Can anyone suggest an online supplier that will ship to the snowbanks up north? so far I couldn't find one that ships individually to Canada. I could ask my LFS, but figured I'd start with the experience here....

J & L aquatics and SeaUMarine, I have never ordered fish online but those are the only two I know that ship in Canada

 

[JTJreef]

I've purchased fish from Saltwaterfish.
7 so far in two separate orders. Really good
costumer service. Only lost one and got a
store credit. Only thing is some of the fish
were thin on arrival. Took some work to
fatten em up.

 

[Av8bluewater]

Bzoo seems very expensive.

 

[TravelinLight]

I have never bought a fish online. I have always said I would but I have a LFS that will order at cost for me as long as I am there to pick it up upon arrival. I will admit, I have lost a few fish and it hurts no matter how cheap I got him-for the loss of money and the loss of the little guy.

 

[faithenfire]

I have never bought a fish online. I have always said I would but I have a LFS that will order at cost for me as long as I am there to pick it up upon arrival. I will admit, I have lost a few fish and it hurts no matter how cheap I got him-for the loss of money and the loss of the little guy.

my lfs will order for me too, not at cost, but cheaper than a sites delivery charges. i buy a little 10 dollar fish here and there. it doesn't make sense for me to order online, but i know some people who do so exclusively despite all the lfs in our area

 

[Neptune 555]

When shipped right. I find it is actually a better time of year to ship in cold weather than hot. I have had great luck with those I bought during the winter.

On another note, where abouts in NH are you? There are a few very good LFS around the Salem area.

Marshal, Yes I am up in Bedford NH and have been visiting a store in Salem. My concern comes b/c the fish I have been getting from that LFS sells both freshwater and saltwater fish has sold me a fish that wiped out my tank. NOW I understand I should have QT but after going back 2x now for help setting up my new larger tank they are just not interested in providing me the customer support I need? Also my last 2 visits I have noticed a few cases of sick fish in their tanks? Makes me nervous after entire tank wipe out.

In fact I decided to purchase from Buld Reef Supply on line b/c they answered my QUESTIONS re: RO/DI water, setting up system and Rock. What is your assessment of the three and where can I get the most hand holding and service? For instance I want a puffer fish but don't know how to QT him. Second my new tank has a Sump and this is my first tank with a sump and I have a ton of questions... I also spend some time on boston reefers and am going to try and attend a meeting so I can locate some other reef enthusiats for support!! My existing tank is OVERRUN with mushrooms and I want to share the bounty and swap for other easy to keep corals.

Neptune

 

[frog.pauley]

Read through this thread the other day and would say I love LA..That being said I ordered a Kole Tang from DD a couple nights ago. Have read on here theat DD and LA SG is always 1.020...But just in case I called them. They told me it was 1.021. So Sat my qt at that....fish arrived about 45 min ago, and before putting him in I decided to check...1.024! So what should have been a qucik and painless acclimation turned into a drawn out acclimation...little unhappy. But the fish is awsome! Packing awesome, temp in bag was only a couple degrees off my tank temp. Very healthy little Kole. He hasn't started eating yet but the nori is there!

 

[Marshall O]

Marshal, Yes I am up in Bedford NH and have been visiting a store in Salem. My concern comes b/c the fish I have been getting from that LFS sells both freshwater and saltwater fish has sold me a fish that wiped out my tank. NOW I understand I should have QT but after going back 2x now for help setting up my new larger tank they are just not interested in providing me the customer support I need? Also my last 2 visits I have noticed a few cases of sick fish in their tanks? Makes me nervous after entire tank wipe out.

Neptune

FWIW, of all the LFS I have been to, I have never been to one that did not have a sick fish (or many). Just part of the business unfortunately. Some run copper at lower levels to help mask Ich, but once in your tank they will show the white cysts. QT is a must, online, from a LFS, from a friend, etc. Even if a store "QT's" fish. When they do, it is usually for a short amount of time, and with other fish. So not much point to it...