Where do you get your livestock?

jdk504 · 07-24-2006, 07:01 PM

LfS
Online - MarineDepot, Vivid Aquariums, Saltwaterfish, Etc.?

Should I buy from lfs or order online?

Experiences?

TIA,

Ken

Snelly40 · 07-24-2006, 07:10 PM

Normally LFS so i can see them, however i have gotten some from Saltwaterfish.com. The thing with online is you dont get to chose ur exact fish and the size may be a little different. I have come to the philosophy that i really like getting corals online b/c they are exactly what you expect and they are cheaper, but i like buying fish from LFS

aquaman3680 · 07-24-2006, 07:10 PM

If you have a decent LFS i would say buy from there. That way you actually see what you are getting and see if it has any problems and if its a good LFS they can tell you if and what its eating.
Matt

jdk504 · 07-24-2006, 07:14 PM

what about if the fish dies, i noticed online stores have a guarantee, also the fish i want the lfs would have to order so would i be better off just cutting the middle man out?

aquaman3680 · 07-24-2006, 07:17 PM

Not really i work at a LFS and I would consider it a good one... We order fish for people all the time and they can either choose to let the fish stay in the store to make sure its healthy or they can take it home. Some stores offer a guarantee on livestock. I know we will replace the fish with a sample of water.

aqujoe247 · 07-24-2006, 07:22 PM

Haven't tried ordering online, but have been thinking about it. I only have one decent LFS and its so crowded everytime I go in there I swear I will only buy onlinefrom then on.

Cartman89 · 07-24-2006, 07:45 PM

Lfs where I live SUCK! I try and buy my fish online if I get a chance (liveaquaria). But with the impulsive buy these days it's pretty easy to go in and buy your fish at the lfs when you don't even plan on to.

jdk504 · 07-24-2006, 08:47 PM

same here all the lfs here stink, there is 1 decent one they ordered my tank for me and delivered it (for a price =) and ordered my lights which took almost 2 months and im still waiting for my return pump going on 3 months (he did bring his over and let me use his until it arrived)... so im kinda torn plus the store is about 20 mins from me so it not a walk down the street u know vs. online stores, i guess ill try the online thing and see how it goes and if i dont like it i can try the lfs. thanks for all ur replies

trigger1121 · 07-24-2006, 09:14 PM

I've only bought from LFS's, but want to try an online order. Are there any special requirements for acclimation of new livestock compared to a local pickup?

blue_eyes53813 · 07-24-2006, 10:06 PM

Most online vendors will send a paper with how to acclimate your livestock..

I order from online and support my lfs.. The bad thing with ordering online is you usually dont get what you see on the site.. You really really really have to watch the sizes that they say the livestock is.. Most corals are frags and will only be an inch or two in size and then you really arent saving any because of the small sizes and the shipping.. There is only a few that I will order from online...

ghostwolf · 07-24-2006, 10:42 PM

I am pretty much restricted to ordering on line. The only time I get to a LFS is when I go home to visit my sisters. I prefer LFS, but you have to work with what you can get. I have had good experiences and bad (lately) with ordering on line. I purchased 5 fish - lost 5 fish (1st time ordering there - probably last time). I know it wasn't my tank because all my stock already in was fine. It was one place out of the 5 that I've ordered from. They did honor their guarantee though.

Lin

lcstorc · 07-25-2006, 12:44 PM

I like the lfs for livestock particularly fish. The one time we ordered fish online everything died. We were pretty new at the time so it was partially my own fault, but still was not a pleasant experience.
Pumps, lights, etc I order almost all on-line. Even with shipping the prices are way less. I haven't tried buying coral online but am seriously considering it.

aquaman3680 · 07-25-2006, 02:39 PM

Soon enough it wont matter weather its on line or not as far as dry goods. I talked to the central pet supplier which is basically everything you can buy, corallife, any type of lights foods pumps tanks chemicals ect. and he said that they will start selling to websites for a more expensive price making them sell it for more so the stores can compete. So lets say a corallife superskimmer costs a store 70 bucks and they sell it for 125, this new plan will make internet buy it for 115 and make them sell it for more so the stores have a chance.
Im not sure how soon this plan is to be in place but he said it will happen.

07-24-2006, 07:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
jdk504 Midas Blenny Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 92 View Gallery Karma Komment	Where do you get your livestock? LfS Online - MarineDepot, Vivid Aquariums, Saltwaterfish, Etc.? Should I buy from lfs or order online? Experiences? TIA, Ken

07-24-2006, 07:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Snelly40 Manta Ray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,042 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Where do you get your livestock? Normally LFS so i can see them, however i have gotten some from Saltwaterfish.com. The thing with online is you dont get to chose ur exact fish and the size may be a little different. I have come to the philosophy that i really like getting corals online b/c they are exactly what you expect and they are cheaper, but i like buying fish from LFS __________________ Snelly's 90gal Reef-O-Rama *Member-"Crabs Are Evil" Society*

07-24-2006, 07:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
aquaman3680 Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 2,154 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Where do you get your livestock? If you have a decent LFS i would say buy from there. That way you actually see what you are getting and see if it has any problems and if its a good LFS they can tell you if and what its eating. Matt __________________ Check it out! The 90 gallon Road Trip

07-24-2006, 07:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
jdk504 Midas Blenny Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 92 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Where do you get your livestock? what about if the fish dies, i noticed online stores have a guarantee, also the fish i want the lfs would have to order so would i be better off just cutting the middle man out?

07-24-2006, 07:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
aquaman3680 Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 2,154 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Where do you get your livestock? Not really i work at a LFS and I would consider it a good one... We order fish for people all the time and they can either choose to let the fish stay in the store to make sure its healthy or they can take it home. Some stores offer a guarantee on livestock. I know we will replace the fish with a sample of water. __________________ Check it out! The 90 gallon Road Trip

07-24-2006, 07:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
aqujoe247 Ricordea Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tampa Bay, Florida Posts: 193 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Where do you get your livestock? Haven't tried ordering online, but have been thinking about it. I only have one decent LFS and its so crowded everytime I go in there I swear I will only buy onlinefrom then on. __________________ JOE

07-24-2006, 07:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cartman89 Neon dottyback Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Branson, MO Posts: 659 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Where do you get your livestock? Lfs where I live SUCK! I try and buy my fish online if I get a chance (liveaquaria). But with the impulsive buy these days it's pretty easy to go in and buy your fish at the lfs when you don't even plan on to. __________________ I'am the Shark Police, if you want a shark your going to have to go through me. In Loving Memory http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...n101/aq015.jpg

07-24-2006, 08:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
jdk504 Midas Blenny Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 92 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Where do you get your livestock? same here all the lfs here stink, there is 1 decent one they ordered my tank for me and delivered it (for a price =) and ordered my lights which took almost 2 months and im still waiting for my return pump going on 3 months (he did bring his over and let me use his until it arrived)... so im kinda torn plus the store is about 20 mins from me so it not a walk down the street u know vs. online stores, i guess ill try the online thing and see how it goes and if i dont like it i can try the lfs. thanks for all ur replies

07-24-2006, 09:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
trigger1121 Bryozoan Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 47 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Where do you get your livestock? I've only bought from LFS's, but want to try an online order. Are there any special requirements for acclimation of new livestock compared to a local pickup?

07-24-2006, 10:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 7,241 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Where do you get your livestock? Most online vendors will send a paper with how to acclimate your livestock.. I order from online and support my lfs.. The bad thing with ordering online is you usually dont get what you see on the site.. You really really really have to watch the sizes that they say the livestock is.. Most corals are frags and will only be an inch or two in size and then you really arent saving any because of the small sizes and the shipping.. There is only a few that I will order from online... __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

07-24-2006, 10:42 PM	#11 (permalink)
ghostwolf Torch coral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Mississippi Posts: 570 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Where do you get your livestock? I am pretty much restricted to ordering on line. The only time I get to a LFS is when I go home to visit my sisters. I prefer LFS, but you have to work with what you can get. I have had good experiences and bad (lately) with ordering on line. I purchased 5 fish - lost 5 fish (1st time ordering there - probably last time). I know it wasn't my tank because all my stock already in was fine. It was one place out of the 5 that I've ordered from. They did honor their guarantee though. Lin __________________ Ghostwolf Honor the sacred. Honor the Earth, our Mother. Honor the Elders. Honor all with whom we share the Earth:- Four-leggeds, two-leggeds, winged ones, swimmers, crawlers, plant and rock people. Walk in balance and beauty. *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society*

07-25-2006, 12:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 21,924 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Where do you get your livestock? I like the lfs for livestock particularly fish. The one time we ordered fish online everything died. We were pretty new at the time so it was partially my own fault, but still was not a pleasant experience. Pumps, lights, etc I order almost all on-line. Even with shipping the prices are way less. I haven't tried buying coral online but am seriously considering it. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

07-25-2006, 02:39 PM	#13 (permalink)
aquaman3680 Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 2,154 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Where do you get your livestock? Soon enough it wont matter weather its on line or not as far as dry goods. I talked to the central pet supplier which is basically everything you can buy, corallife, any type of lights foods pumps tanks chemicals ect. and he said that they will start selling to websites for a more expensive price making them sell it for more so the stores can compete. So lets say a corallife superskimmer costs a store 70 bucks and they sell it for 125, this new plan will make internet buy it for 115 and make them sell it for more so the stores have a chance. Im not sure how soon this plan is to be in place but he said it will happen. __________________ Check it out! The 90 gallon Road Trip

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