Where do you buy from

robow · 12/22/2009, 07:02 PM

I am looking for a good online retailer for corals who do you suggest. I am mostly looking for LPS and zoos/zoas

wab · 12/22/2009, 07:19 PM

Hi, I know your looking for online but imo a local reefer club or lfs are my choices. The reason being for me is my lfs gets tons of stuff and a large % is crap or dead. Good luck

blueridge · 12/22/2009, 07:31 PM

I generally like to physically see what I am buying before I buy it. The one experience I had with online ordering wasn't so great. The livestock I received were sub-par.

Myteemouse · 12/22/2009, 07:33 PM

I have had nothing but good luck and very happy with CHERRY CORALS!!

robow · 12/22/2009, 08:08 PM

Most of my stores have a limited selection and there isnt a whole lot for a club

mfinn · 12/22/2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myteemouse

I have had nothing but good luck and very happy with CHERRY CORALS!!

I have bought from them, with very good results.
Very nice stock.

robow · 12/22/2009, 09:12 PM

Anybody know about vivid aquariums

Sisterlimonpot · 12/22/2009, 09:13 PM

Where are you located? I bet there are plenty of reefers in your area.

Merkurfan · 12/22/2009, 09:41 PM

I have tried a couple of online places. NONE looked as good as the photos. It's either lighting differences or flat out tampering with the photo (AKA photoshop) price wise it's very hard to bet local reefers. If you don't have a club, seek them out. Your LFS probably knows who has reef tanks and might be buying some of their corals from said people.

mfinn · 12/22/2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merkurfan

I have tried a couple of online places. NONE looked as good as the photos. It's either lighting differences or flat out tampering with the photo (AKA photoshop) .

I wouldn't have made the recomendation I did if there was a problem with the corals not being what the picture at the website.
There are many, very reputable websites out there that do not use photoshop.

singold · 12/23/2009, 12:18 AM

I like to see it in person, so I know what I am getting first hand.+ Plus, supporting LFS.

Doahh · 12/23/2009, 12:23 AM

www.yourreef.com
It is my LFS, a sponsor here, and the guy who owns it is an all around great guy.

VacavilleFC3S · 12/23/2009, 12:46 AM

xiong aquatics
wet thumb frags
dr mac pacific east aquaculture
Mr. Coral

are all excellent stores that will get my return business

Daimyo68 · 12/23/2009, 01:01 AM

Your local reef club forums would be your best bet. When you get to someones house to make your purchase, you get to see what it is your getting before handing over any money. Unfortunately, as you mentioned, slim pickens.

As far as stores, I would recommend 2 in my area for corals.

Fish and other Ichthy Stuff in Oldsmar FL - http://www.ichthythings.com/estore/index.php?c=30 - (My personal choice. If you're ever in the area, make it a point to stop by his store. You'll be glad you did)
The Coral Corral, also in Oldsmar Florida - http://www.thecoralcorral.com/

bbl_nk · 12/23/2009, 01:19 AM

Liveaquaria.com Kevin Kohen has really pushed the online side of the hobby in many great ways. They take care of their stuff and are quality.

Coral Morphalogics are a specialty vendor in Miami, great selection of Ricordia and Zoas

Cherry Corals has some really good feedback from those I know.

YourReef is really good. Love John's shop and probably the best in Sacramento and in one of the better ones in NorCal.

Exotic Frags www.exoticfrags.us is another really good one. I've met the guys and have seen their stuff first hand.

ReefKoi is another really good, smaller vendor too.

Dino · 12/23/2009, 06:08 AM

Many of the ones I'd normally suggest have been suggested already. I do 99.9% of my ordering online (dry goods and livestock) simply because I can't get it here. The one tiny LFS we have here has 4 about 15 gallon tanks with a couple of fish each. That's the extent of the livestock availability without a 150 mile drive. Shipping charges are normally cheaper than gas for a 300 mile trip

.

- Liveaquaria is one of the leaders, their divers den gets some really unique things in for really good prices usually. You have to be quick though because a lot of stuff doesn't last long

-Blue Zoo Aquatics, I just got an order from them not too long ago. Nothing but positive things to say.

-Dr. Macs (Pacific East Aquaculture), haven't ordered from them yet but I've read absolutely nothing but positive things on the forums here. Not only does he have some unique frags but if you're looking at starting a tank their frag pack deals are pretty tough to beat.

-Phishy Business, another with some great looking corals. I know a few people on the forums here that get to shop in their store. Great CS, if you have questions they're not hesitant to answer them.

- Coral Morphologic, I'll be placing an order when I'm ready to order some ricordea.

You should also be able to access the Vendor Experiences forum here on Reef Central. Great place to read up on places you're thinking about ordering from but don't know much about.

12/22/2009, 07:02 PM	#1
robow Ninja Robot Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 301	Where do you buy from I am looking for a good online retailer for corals who do you suggest. I am mostly looking for LPS and zoos/zoas __________________ I have no idea what is going on Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon mixed reef 24 gallon sump 20 gallon fuge eshopps pks150 skimmer

12/22/2009, 07:19 PM	#2
wab Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: nj Posts: 512	Hi, I know your looking for online but imo a local reefer club or lfs are my choices. The reason being for me is my lfs gets tons of stuff and a large % is crap or dead. Good luck __________________ 1 year plus and still I DON'T KNOW!!!! LOL Current Tank Info: 45 high 30 breeder sump/refuge diy

12/22/2009, 07:33 PM	#4
Myteemouse Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 53	I have had nothing but good luck and very happy with CHERRY CORALS!! __________________ POWER PIG HELLO, I'M BURNING Gotta get it right sometime 125 penninsula 9 months old SPS LPS ZOO's lots of fish.

12/22/2009, 08:08 PM	#5
robow Ninja Robot Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 301	Most of my stores have a limited selection and there isnt a whole lot for a club __________________ I have no idea what is going on Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon mixed reef 24 gallon sump 20 gallon fuge eshopps pks150 skimmer

12/22/2009, 09:12 PM	#7
robow Ninja Robot Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 301	Anybody know about vivid aquariums __________________ I have no idea what is going on Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon mixed reef 24 gallon sump 20 gallon fuge eshopps pks150 skimmer

12/22/2009, 07:31 PM	#3
blueridge Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 63	I generally like to physically see what I am buying before I buy it. The one experience I had with online ordering wasn't so great. The livestock I received were sub-par.

12/22/2009, 09:13 PM	#8
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Where are you located? I bet there are plenty of reefers in your area. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

12/22/2009, 09:41 PM	#9
Merkurfan Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minneapolis MN Posts: 54	I have tried a couple of online places. NONE looked as good as the photos. It's either lighting differences or flat out tampering with the photo (AKA photoshop) price wise it's very hard to bet local reefers. If you don't have a club, seek them out. Your LFS probably knows who has reef tanks and might be buying some of their corals from said people.

12/23/2009, 12:18 AM	#11
singold Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lake Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 1,827	I like to see it in person, so I know what I am getting first hand.+ Plus, supporting LFS. __________________ "If there is no wind.....row." Current Tank Info: 75gal Reef w/29gal Refugium

12/23/2009, 12:23 AM	#12
Doahh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Loomis CA Posts: 2,398	www.yourreef.com It is my LFS, a sponsor here, and the guy who owns it is an all around great guy. __________________ -Josh Current Tank Info: 90 Gal Custom SW Reef

12/23/2009, 12:46 AM	#13
VacavilleFC3S Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vacaville California Posts: 2,613	xiong aquatics wet thumb frags dr mac pacific east aquaculture Mr. Coral are all excellent stores that will get my return business

12/23/2009, 01:01 AM	#14
Daimyo68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Palm Beach, FL Posts: 2,270	Your local reef club forums would be your best bet. When you get to someones house to make your purchase, you get to see what it is your getting before handing over any money. Unfortunately, as you mentioned, slim pickens. As far as stores, I would recommend 2 in my area for corals. Fish and other Ichthy Stuff in Oldsmar FL - http://www.ichthythings.com/estore/index.php?c=30 - (My personal choice. If you're ever in the area, make it a point to stop by his store. You'll be glad you did) The Coral Corral, also in Oldsmar Florida - http://www.thecoralcorral.com/ __________________ 120g, 50g Sump, SRO XP2000i, MP40W x2, DIY Hybrid LED/T5 Fixture, Apex PBMAS VP 2010-11 PBMAS 2017 President Last edited by Daimyo68; 12/23/2009 at 01:07 AM.

12/23/2009, 01:19 AM	#15
bbl_nk Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CA Posts: 743	Liveaquaria.com Kevin Kohen has really pushed the online side of the hobby in many great ways. They take care of their stuff and are quality. Coral Morphalogics are a specialty vendor in Miami, great selection of Ricordia and Zoas Cherry Corals has some really good feedback from those I know. YourReef is really good. Love John's shop and probably the best in Sacramento and in one of the better ones in NorCal. Exotic Frags www.exoticfrags.us is another really good one. I've met the guys and have seen their stuff first hand. ReefKoi is another really good, smaller vendor too. __________________ Brian I'm hooked on DIY! It's all about Blue-Collar Reefing! Current Tank Info: 75g Palau Reef in the Making

12/23/2009, 06:08 AM	#16
Dino Freak of Nature Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Finding my way back to the boondocks Posts: 11,048	Many of the ones I'd normally suggest have been suggested already. I do 99.9% of my ordering online (dry goods and livestock) simply because I can't get it here. The one tiny LFS we have here has 4 about 15 gallon tanks with a couple of fish each. That's the extent of the livestock availability without a 150 mile drive. Shipping charges are normally cheaper than gas for a 300 mile trip . - Liveaquaria is one of the leaders, their divers den gets some really unique things in for really good prices usually. You have to be quick though because a lot of stuff doesn't last long -Blue Zoo Aquatics, I just got an order from them not too long ago. Nothing but positive things to say. -Dr. Macs (Pacific East Aquaculture), haven't ordered from them yet but I've read absolutely nothing but positive things on the forums here. Not only does he have some unique frags but if you're looking at starting a tank their frag pack deals are pretty tough to beat. -Phishy Business, another with some great looking corals. I know a few people on the forums here that get to shop in their store. Great CS, if you have questions they're not hesitant to answer them. - Coral Morphologic, I'll be placing an order when I'm ready to order some ricordea. You should also be able to access the Vendor Experiences forum here on Reef Central. Great place to read up on places you're thinking about ordering from but don't know much about. __________________ Cody I will love and miss you until the last beat of my heart Harley & Rusty.