Tidal Gardens & Salt Critters

[leviburns89]

So I'm about to order my first corals, and I'm at a loss for what website to choose.

My 3 lfs sell frags at $59 for 3 polyps of zoas, so that isn't an option.


I see great prices and wysiwyg at Salt critters, but I can't find any recent reviews.

Tidal Gardens has great info and corals, but a bit higher price, but zero recent reviews.

Live aquaria is also an option, but $40 for 2 polyp zoas + $30 shipping, get real.


Any ideas???

 

[thegrun]

Have you looked for any local reef clubs? I'm a member of two and we regularly trade and sell corals to each other at much lower prices than what the stores charge. You should also look here on Reef Central for your local area forum where fellow RC members sell their goods:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=80

 

[leviburns89]

I'm a part of TCMAS.

Good call.

Only issue is they always conflict with my schedule. I work 8am- 630pm and have a 7 month old baby boy at the house, so going to meets is rreeeaally hard.

Clubs often give away frags, which is a huge plus, but I hate walking in empty handed, asking for a starter kit.

 

[Entacmaea]

Here are some others I like:

Reefcorner.com
Vividaquariums.com
IPSF.com (their $99 mix and match is great for small critters, and seeding your tank.)

As thegrun suggests, plugging into a local club is a great way to get started, meet good folks and potential future tank sitters! ; )

 

[Killamanillaman]

Here are some others I like:

Reefcorner.com
Vividaquariums.com
IPSF.com (their $99 mix and match is great for small critters, and seeding your tank.)

As thegrun suggests, plugging into a local club is a great way to get started, meet good folks and potential future tank sitters! ; )

I live really close to vivid aquariums and have been to their store front a few times. Awesome group of people and the WYSIWYG section they have online is always on display in the store. Always look extremely healthy.

 

[spikey114]

tidal gardens is legit. They have their own youtube channel with tons of coral related videos.

 

[sde1500]

Tidal Gardens if I am not mistaken has a build thread here. Not updated recently since they want to avoid making it seem to be a marketing thread. Greenhouse build I think it is. Vivid looks to be very high quality, what are you looking for exactly, zoas? Yourreef.com seems to have a good selection, I haven't ordered anything from them, but I am thinking about it. Also, where on LA are you seeing $40 for 2 polyp zoas? DD has 4" rocks covered in zoas for what looks to be <$1/polyp.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I buy all of my corals from http://www.operationtidalwave.com/ Dave has some of the best prices on corals and has good quality corals. He's a great guy and will get you anything that you want if he doesn't have it on hand. Give him a call.

 

[Entacmaea]

Just a pitch here for aquacultured as well. If you at least frequent a retailer than sells aquacultured, and better yet only buy aquacultured corals, you will not only likely get stronger, more captive-adapted corals, but will ultimately benefit reefs and the hobby itself.

 

[leviburns89]

Just a pitch here for aquacultured as well. If you at least frequent a retailer than sells aquacultured, and better yet only buy aquacultured corals, you will not only likely get stronger, more captive-adapted corals, but will ultimately benefit reefs and the hobby itself.

I agree completely.

I think vivid aquariums will be my first purchase. They have a great selection, and according to customer experience, they have outstanding quality and overall health of the corals they sell.

And I found the "frags" section, and their zoas are around $10/polyp, and many other varieties under $40

I will be placing a $200 order with them next monday, I will post a thread regarding my experience with them.

Thanks everyone! Your insight has been a great help as always

 

[Frostyfishman]

Make sure to check Craig's list.

 

[Entacmaea]

Awesome. Dave at Vivid will hook you up. They have an aquacultured section, but some of their WYSIWYG corals are also aquacultured - you just have to ask. Happy cherry picking! : )