Experience with MyAquariumDepot.com (reefs2go.com)

[jsbull]

This is not a witch hunt, just an FYI before anyone buys from MyAquariumDepot.com. These are the guys that sell amphipods and copepods by the 1,000. They used to be Reefs2Go.com.

I bought from them to help add biodiversity to my 3 month old tank. I plan to get a dragonet down the line, so a good pod population is a necessity. This was supposed to be the groundwork for that.

The issue is that they ship poorly and almost everything I received was DOA. I paid $30 for the pods and I was able to count around 20 live amphipods and estimate around 200 dead ones. Some in the teddy bear stuffing material and many floating around in the bag. Copepods are harder to see, but I didn't see a single live one moving around the edges of the bag. I'm not even sure if any were in there.

The worst part is that to get their free expedited shipping, I also bought a couple of frags and an anemone crab. The poor crab arrived missing all of his left appendages and one right leg. It took me all day to get him to be responsive and he's now in a holding tank struggling to get around. It's really sad, but I'm holding out hope that he'll survive and a couple of molts might return some lost legs.

Anyway, that's my experience, and since they don't allow honest reviews on their website, I figured I'd throw it up here. Just shop at your own risk.

[gone fishin]

This place seems to change names every couple of years or so. Same shady business practice every time.

[Code4]

Thanks for your views. This type of information is very helpful.

Shelley

[jraker]

thank you for sharing your experience. i try to only buy from my lfs where i can see what i get

[A.Astore]

Thanks for the review! That is horrible that your crab is suffering so badly. Were the appendages in the bag that was shipped in or was it bagged for shipment like that? I am just curious if it is their horrible husbandry or horrible packaging that caused it.

Glad I found Algaebarn when I did because I almost ordered pods from this place! If you decide to order pods again Algaebarn did an amazing job getting me viable pods. If you sign up for their site thing they email you a code for buy one get one. You should see the pods hanging onto my glass and overflow since I dropped the two bags in 10 days ago.

Best of luck with your crab and frags and I hope the poor guy makes it.

[johnlewis]

I've had 3 orders no issues. I plan to order again inn the spring. Whats a LFS none in this area.

[CrayolaViolence]

Originally Posted by jsbull

This is not a witch hunt, just an FYI before anyone buys from MyAquariumDepot.com. These are the guys that sell amphipods and copepods by the 1,000. They used to be Reefs2Go.com.

You are not alone. They sent me a snail package over charging me 40.00 then told me it was because it was no longer on sale. Then said snail arrived ROTTING in bags or empty shells. Ordered 10 blueberry gorgonians, got 2, 2 inch tall twigs. Called to tell them they shorted me was told that each branch counted for one gorgonian. I cancelled my second order with them (made the day before I got the first) they have yet to refund my money. The order was never even assembled and I canceled within hours of making it. Did everything required on the DOA issue, they have yet to answer. Phone tells you don't bother leaving a message. They do not respond to emails. Luckily I paid through paypal and it's currently in dispute. They have refused to answer pay pal.
The two other gorgonians, a red and yellow, I bought were normal sized with multiple branches and arrived fine. But for some reason they say the blue berry gorgonians are counted by the branch. I kid you not. I got an email when I sent photos of these literally 2 inch tall gorgonians that were dead by the way, and they had the nerve to circle each branch and tell me I actually got more than ten.

So no, it's not a witch hunt. These people are not upholding their own guarantees and are keeping money they don't own. My second order was cancelled WELL before they assembled it, so there was no need at all for them to give me a hassle. They canceled it immediately when asked but have yet to return my money.

[CrayolaViolence]

Oh, and the 40.00 over charge? The snails were still on sale. When I pointed this out was ignored.

[chilli_reef]

Yeah...this is a couple in Florida I think ?
Man and woman who just repeatedly rip people off and change names after the heat gets to much for them.

[CrayolaViolence]

Originally Posted by gone fishin

This place seems to change names every couple of years or so. Same shady business practice every time.

From what I understand and have heard from other vendors, this is exactly what they do. They change names and websites.

I did receive some nice items I admit. The red and yellow gorgonians as well as my sponges were very nice. Yet they didn't count them by the inch. a quantity of one was one....and I was sent the whole coral. Yet on the blue berry gorgonians I got two dead twigs and the excuse of they counted by the branch. This information was NEVER in their add. And they advertise them as PER gorgonian, not per inch.

[gone fishin]

From all the threads about this place I am pretty sure they have mastered the bait and switch.

[chilli_reef]

Ikr !

[dkeller_nc]

Originally Posted by A.Astore

If you decide to order pods again Algaebarn did an amazing job getting me viable pods.

Another vote for these folks. Great product, and great service.

[JaihWill]

I absolutely have heard nothing good about these companies. I think most customers order the b1g1 pods

[m0nkie]

I just ordered some CUC and they arrived in great shape. I have ordered pods and inverts from them many times and they all turned out great.

they are terrible at responding emails. their corals never survive shipping. so CUC or pods only.

[CrayolaViolence]

And no, they don't allow honest reviews on their website. When asked to leave a review I did. I said that they sell their blue berry gorgonians by the inch, including branches, so if you order 10 and you get one, it's because it has ten branches. This is not made up. I have it documented in emails where it was drawn out and shown to me how 2, 2 inch tall gorgonians equaled a quantity of 10.
And if you cancel an order from (within 24 hours or less even) they will not return your money. I have asked numerous times why I have not had my canceled order refunded only to be ignored. This was done through pay-pal, so all they have to do is hit the refund money button. That takes 30 seconds including logging in.
I have done everything by the book, according to their instructions regarding the DOA's as well, so there is no excuse for them to continuously ignore emails. At first I just wanted what I paid for. And I'd be content with getting what I paid for, plus my refund on the unfulfilled order, but they are refusing to do so and now disputing the exchange. Going so far as to change their website to "support" size claim on the gorgonians which is fine, because just because it's only going to be 1x2 in size it still doesn't mean you take my money for an order of ten and give me two because they have branches.

[johnike]

They sucked in the beginning years ago when they were 'Piece of the reef'.

[Tweaked]

In this business, do not order online without good reviews from other members on sites such as this. It's unfortunate, but in a hobby like ours, these practices are very easy to achieve.

[AZRippster]

The big thing with this company and SWF.com is you will not always receive what you thought you ordered, poor quality, miniature size livestock, and a very iffy chance of survival. If it dies,they will "credit" you for your next purchase. Yeah, who the heck wants to order from them again?

[Drmojo]

I had a terrible experience with them as well. I ordered a CUC from them in the fall. Almost all of the snails were dead and the bags smelled horrible when I opened them up. I never got my money back after contacting them and following all of their instructions on DOA livestock. I'll never do business with them again. Lesson learned.

[lespaul339]

Thanks for posting an honest review. I will be sure to steer clear of this company.

[laga77]

I have credit at that site. I would rather not use it than give these rip-off artists more business.

[plyle02]

I ordered from them once, I live in FL, and 1/2 of everything I ordered was DOA, they blast me with email daily, I am going to block them from my email come to think of it... I will NEVER order ANYTHING from them again!

[AZRippster]

Does anyone know of an agency slim balls like this can be reported to? It's actual cruelty. I hate bringing negative scrutiny upon our hobby, but it's individuals like this that Should be shut down. And to think they have our credit card numbers. Thankfully I'm pretty sure I've received a new one since my one and only order from them years ago.

[lespaul339]

There's the Better Business Bureau, but it is a joke. I've reported places to them in the past and they don't really do anything except write up a bad review online. If the business isn't a member of the BBB, then nothing really gets done.