Buying from websites, I'm new to saltwater

[olsenshouse]

Is it safe buying from websites? Do the fish always arrive alive or is it a 50/50 chance?

 

[lvsuckerfish]

fish i recommend buying at a LFS unless it is a special even then some LFS will order them for you if a deposit is left or paid in full. online fish is hit and miss it is almost the same as ordering from a fish store but the store puts the risk up as to the cost differences but including shipping cost will be better unless ordering a lot of fish.

 

[ac7av]

Buy local
Support our area as much as you can.
I have ordered fish threw my local store and if you buy enough he always gives me an excellent discount. I have also ordered fish from on line for stuff he could not get or for some reason the price was astronomical compared to buying online including shipping. Never had any problems ether way. Fish always arrived alive and packaged well every place I’ve ordered from. Lvsuckerfish is on the money about the risk though, the store will take the risk if you get it there and you tank the risk if you buy inline. Even if the place online says 15 day alive guarantee or something like that, its just not hat simple. They will give you a store credit and you will have to buy again to get your credit in most cases.

 

[olsenshouse]

Thanks for the info. I plan on making a trip to Barrier this weekend. The bad thing is it's about 30 to 45 minutes away. Saltwater City has some crabs I want but are even further. How long can a fish/crab live in a air filled bag?

 

[jag3534]

Where are you located? we are about the same distance to Barrier, but we always make the drive when we want something. They have the best livestock, IMO. We ordered live rock online, it was nasty, but cheaper. Now i'd buy it "used" from somebody b4 online. We just got our first two online orders of corals and that went fine.
But yeah, we're a "buy local" fan too.

 

[olsenshouse]

I'm in Puyallup. So trip isn't terrible.

 

[NC2WA]

How long can a fish/crab live in a air filled bag?

if it is filled with oxgyen, a long time..Barrier is the only LFS that I am aware of that does fill their bags with oxygen

 

[thatguy559]

well you figure if they can ship overnight then they will last at least that long from a lfs

 

[jag3534]

Have you looked at Indoor Reef in Tacoma? There's also Aquarium Paradise in Lakewood, but they're iffy sometimes.
But Indoor Reef is alright, and the owner Paul is a cool guy that can get you most anything you want. There's also Blue Sierra in Renton and Issaquah. Between all these stores you should be able to find what you want!

 

[khaosinc]

I keep trying to go back to the closest thing to a lfs, but they are overpriced, and not usually the most friendly even though I've spent $1000's there. I usually resort to online buying as my impulse control is kinda poor in a place like that, and I like to read up on everything first.

 

[saltwaterfishes]

I have ordered from Wet Pets Hawaii, fish came very healthy.

 

[Faciosity]

There is very many reliable places to order online. Reputable dealers can often be expensive though. I would suggest the LFS or searching for private sources, but don't be turned off by something you see online. Usually the worst thing that happens is paying $40-$50 for shipping:shock: and not being able to return it if it doesn't work out.

 

[returnofsid]

I'm in Puyallup. So trip isn't terrible.

Oh Heck!! We make the trip to Barrier Reef from Spokane!!!

We do also have 2 great LFS over here.

I'd recommend buying fish from LFS, instead of online, for several reasons. Supporting your local business is always better, IMO. Also, you get to see the fish, in person, watch it interact with others in the tank, see how it reacts to the presence of people, see how it eats...etc.

Oh that note, I would also highly recommend Les, at WetPetHawaii. He's a sponsor, here on RF. I've ordered from him, several times and been very pleased every time. He takes exceptional care, when capturing the fish he sells, and he takes extreme QT measure that very few others do, to assure the health of his fish, before he sells them.

 

[TJL]

A BIG +1 on supporting our LFS & Sponsors. For me itsDenny's Pet World in Kirkland, A Red Sea in Shoreline, Barrier Reef Aquariums in Renton and for sponsors I have been very pleased with Wet Pets Hawaii & City Coral in Bothell.

Good Luck and welcome to the REEF Addiction

Todd

 

[peddy10181]

hit up the fish store in sumner, they are the most friend ppl around.

 

[NC2WA]

Todd,

Great choice of word, addiction...Amen to that !!!

 

[jill]

if it is filled with oxgyen, a long time..Barrier is the only LFS that I am aware of that does fill their bags with oxygen

Blue Sierra in Issaquah fills their bags - at least they did for me when I made the trip down from Bellingham. Everything did great when I got it home 2 hours later.

I also really like Saltwater City - very friendly and helpful. Even though they didn't use oxygen I get my stuff home safely.

Made the trip to Barrier but not impressed. For some reason the guy in there ignored us while he talked to some other guy about the weather for 15 minutes. Bubble algae in the tanks too.

 

[bigblue141]

The biggest perk from buying from your LFS is that you can see the livestock before you purchase it.

Most of the LFS in the Seattle area are reasonably priced if you factor in shipping from ordering something online. Yes, if you buy online and your fish does not make it, you get store credit. You're still out your $30-$50 on shipping, unless you're putting in a $200-$300 order to get free shipping. In that case, give the LFS a chance to come close to the price so you are supporting your local economy.

 

[NC2WA]

Blue Sierra in Issaquah fills their bags

I believe this store is now in Renton and have not been there to verify if they use oxgyen in their bags or not.

 

[olsenshouse]

I hit up the Sumner one quite often. There selection isn't big enough though.