Got Fish?
- Thread starter darwin
- Start date
meowzer
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Darwin http:///forum/thread/382292/got-fish#post_3335379
Where do you get your fish from? Online, if so where? Or who is your favorite LFS?
I have NO lfs....I get most of all my fish and corals from SWF.com....I am extremely pleased with their stock and their customer service
Originally Posted by Darwin http:///forum/thread/382292/got-fish#post_3335379
Where do you get your fish from? Online, if so where? Or who is your favorite LFS?
I have NO lfs....I get most of all my fish and corals from SWF.com....I am extremely pleased with their stock and their customer service
flower
Well-Known Member
I pick and choose my fish...so I'm looking for certain ones...SWF rocks for healthy critters.
IMO most LFS are getting their critters from places like SWF.com and then they acclimate them to their tanks then you come and get them from them...too many moves stresses the critters out and they get sick.
By getting your critters online you drop a move and that means a better healthier critter for you. No matter what...quarantine new arrivals to prevent problems, that few weeks in a separate tank can mean life or death to your other critters already living there.
R
rcreations
Guest
Depends. I've bought fish online and bought fish at my 2 LFS. I can't say I have a preference of one over the other. Guess whichever has the fish I'm looking for.
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
LFS for every fish I've ever purchased.
I've used a couple online retailers for some of my corals... a couple frags, some gorgonians, macroalgae, and once for some live amphipods. I've always been put off by shipping charges for online retailers (sorry, SWF, it's just true). I feel like unless I'm buying 4 or more fish, the shipping brings the individual animal's cost right back up to LFS level....and if I'm paying the same wither way, I'd rather support the local business.
If I was to make a bulk order - say, for stocking a new tank - then I might do it. But there again, I'd need to have enough QT tanks set up before the purchase, the fish would have to be spread out for adding to the DT..... just seems like a hassle. Or am I over-thinking the whole thing??
I've used a couple online retailers for some of my corals... a couple frags, some gorgonians, macroalgae, and once for some live amphipods. I've always been put off by shipping charges for online retailers (sorry, SWF, it's just true). I feel like unless I'm buying 4 or more fish, the shipping brings the individual animal's cost right back up to LFS level....and if I'm paying the same wither way, I'd rather support the local business.
If I was to make a bulk order - say, for stocking a new tank - then I might do it. But there again, I'd need to have enough QT tanks set up before the purchase, the fish would have to be spread out for adding to the DT..... just seems like a hassle. Or am I over-thinking the whole thing??
aquaknight
Active Member
I've done all 4 ways. From the LFS, from an online retailer, directly from a diver collecting the fish himself, and collecting my own fish (though really only a handful of Atlantic fish that are any good for aquariums).
Online retailer is obviously the easiest, just pick and click, and they have the best guarantees. You probably get the healthiest fish directly from a diver, but it sure is nerve-wracking because the fish are sent on commercial flights. However there will never be anything like seeing fish in the flesh yourself, and retail stores will likely always be around.
Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///forum/thread/382292/got-fish#post_3335520
LFS for every fish I've ever purchased.
I've used a couple online retailers for some of my corals... a couple frags, some gorgonians, macroalgae, and once for some live amphipods. I've always been put off by shipping charges for online retailers (sorry, SWF, it's just true). I feel like unless I'm buying 4 or more fish, the shipping brings the individual animal's cost right back up to LFS level....and if I'm paying the same wither way, I'd rather support the local business.
If I was to make a bulk order - say, for stocking a new tank - then I might do it. But there again, I'd need to have enough QT tanks set up before the purchase, the fish would have to be spread out for adding to the DT..... just seems like a hassle. Or am I over-thinking the whole thing??
Has to do, IMO, with the level of fish you're buying. Once you get past the $75 mark, generally of course, the price of the fish plus shipping costs, are on-par, or cheaper then LFS prices. Of course when you're spending $100+ on a fish, online retailers usually still offer their 14/15 day guarantees. Many LFS's don't guarantee anything once you leave out the door. Or want a rarer fish. I want a Double Whiptail Bream (once the 125gal is up). Doubt any LFS I would ever walk into would ever know what that fish is. But several online vendors have that fish available.
Or you live in areas with poor LFS's, only *****'s, etc, and have no choice.
Online retailer is obviously the easiest, just pick and click, and they have the best guarantees. You probably get the healthiest fish directly from a diver, but it sure is nerve-wracking because the fish are sent on commercial flights. However there will never be anything like seeing fish in the flesh yourself, and retail stores will likely always be around.
Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///forum/thread/382292/got-fish#post_3335520
LFS for every fish I've ever purchased.
I've used a couple online retailers for some of my corals... a couple frags, some gorgonians, macroalgae, and once for some live amphipods. I've always been put off by shipping charges for online retailers (sorry, SWF, it's just true). I feel like unless I'm buying 4 or more fish, the shipping brings the individual animal's cost right back up to LFS level....and if I'm paying the same wither way, I'd rather support the local business.
If I was to make a bulk order - say, for stocking a new tank - then I might do it. But there again, I'd need to have enough QT tanks set up before the purchase, the fish would have to be spread out for adding to the DT..... just seems like a hassle. Or am I over-thinking the whole thing??
Has to do, IMO, with the level of fish you're buying. Once you get past the $75 mark, generally of course, the price of the fish plus shipping costs, are on-par, or cheaper then LFS prices. Of course when you're spending $100+ on a fish, online retailers usually still offer their 14/15 day guarantees. Many LFS's don't guarantee anything once you leave out the door. Or want a rarer fish. I want a Double Whiptail Bream (once the 125gal is up). Doubt any LFS I would ever walk into would ever know what that fish is. But several online vendors have that fish available.
Or you live in areas with poor LFS's, only *****'s, etc, and have no choice.
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
I think I'm a bit lucky in regards to where I live - there are quite a few local places around here that keep a fairly decent selection. If ever I restart the 110, or upgrade to the 265, I might consider ordering from an online for a few purchases. My local place has offered a "guarantee" of sorts to me before, probably because I'm a regular....but I'm happy to say I've never had to use it.
If I go looking for, say, a school of anthias or blue reef chromis.....or one of the expensive wrasses..... I'll probably hit up SWF. I can certainly see the appeal; I've just never needed it!
If I go looking for, say, a school of anthias or blue reef chromis.....or one of the expensive wrasses..... I'll probably hit up SWF. I can certainly see the appeal; I've just never needed it!
meowzer
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///forum/thread/382292/got-fish#post_3335762
I think I'm a bit lucky in regards to where I live - there are quite a few local places around here that keep a fairly decent selection. If ever I restart the 110, or upgrade to the 265, I might consider ordering from an online for a few purchases. My local place has offered a "guarantee" of sorts to me before, probably because I'm a regular....but I'm happy to say I've never had to use it.
If I go looking for, say, a school of anthias or blue reef chromis.....or one of the expensive wrasses..... I'll probably hit up SWF. I can certainly see the appeal; I've just never needed it!
So have you moved yet?????
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///forum/thread/382292/got-fish#post_3335762
I think I'm a bit lucky in regards to where I live - there are quite a few local places around here that keep a fairly decent selection. If ever I restart the 110, or upgrade to the 265, I might consider ordering from an online for a few purchases. My local place has offered a "guarantee" of sorts to me before, probably because I'm a regular....but I'm happy to say I've never had to use it.
If I go looking for, say, a school of anthias or blue reef chromis.....or one of the expensive wrasses..... I'll probably hit up SWF. I can certainly see the appeal; I've just never needed it!
So have you moved yet?????
btldreef
Moderator
I have ordered both online, from many LFS and from a diver. I happen to know three trans-shippers within 15mins of my house, so that makes things very easy. I'm lucky with where I live. There are more LFS's within an hour of my house (even within 30mins) than I can keep track of.
The 2 LFS's that I use regulary will guarantee my livestock and will order me WHATEVER I want.
The one transshipper that I use often is the main diver/shipper for the one LFS that I use most often. He hand selects the fish and corals and then ships them home.
I like giving business to the locals and that I can view the fish in person before buying it.
I will say this (sorry SWF): all fish that I've ordered online are NEVER as healthy of colorful or have as good of an appetite as when I purchase locally.
For me, the price I get from my LFS is almost always cheaper, then you add in the shipping charges, and that basically seals the deal for me.
The 2 LFS's that I use regulary will guarantee my livestock and will order me WHATEVER I want.
The one transshipper that I use often is the main diver/shipper for the one LFS that I use most often. He hand selects the fish and corals and then ships them home.
I like giving business to the locals and that I can view the fish in person before buying it.
I will say this (sorry SWF): all fish that I've ordered online are NEVER as healthy of colorful or have as good of an appetite as when I purchase locally.
For me, the price I get from my LFS is almost always cheaper, then you add in the shipping charges, and that basically seals the deal for me.
meowzer
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/382292/got-fish#post_3335774
I have ordered both online, from many LFS and from a diver. I happen to know three trans-shippers within 15mins of my house, so that makes things very easy. I'm lucky with where I live. There are more LFS's within an hour of my house (even within 30mins) than I can keep track of.
The 2 LFS's that I use regulary will guarantee my livestock and will order me WHATEVER I want.
The one transshipper that I use often is the main diver/shipper for the one LFS that I use most often. He hand selects the fish and corals and then ships them home.
I like giving business to the locals and that I can view the fish in person before buying it.
I will say this (sorry SWF): all fish that I've ordered online are NEVER as healthy of colorful or have as good of an appetite as when I purchase locally.
For me, the price I get from my LFS is almost always cheaper, then you add in the shipping charges, and that basically seals the deal for me.
BUT...online you pay no taxes...so in the long run (for me anyway) the shipping charges ends up being cheaper then tax, gas, and of course the meal that comes with shopping LOL
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/382292/got-fish#post_3335774
I have ordered both online, from many LFS and from a diver. I happen to know three trans-shippers within 15mins of my house, so that makes things very easy. I'm lucky with where I live. There are more LFS's within an hour of my house (even within 30mins) than I can keep track of.
The 2 LFS's that I use regulary will guarantee my livestock and will order me WHATEVER I want.
The one transshipper that I use often is the main diver/shipper for the one LFS that I use most often. He hand selects the fish and corals and then ships them home.
I like giving business to the locals and that I can view the fish in person before buying it.
I will say this (sorry SWF): all fish that I've ordered online are NEVER as healthy of colorful or have as good of an appetite as when I purchase locally.
For me, the price I get from my LFS is almost always cheaper, then you add in the shipping charges, and that basically seals the deal for me.
BUT...online you pay no taxes...so in the long run (for me anyway) the shipping charges ends up being cheaper then tax, gas, and of course the meal that comes with shopping LOL
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/382292/got-fish#post_3335778
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/382292/got-fish#post_3335774
I have ordered both online, from many LFS and from a diver. I happen to know three trans-shippers within 15mins of my house, so that makes things very easy. I'm lucky with where I live. There are more LFS's within an hour of my house (even within 30mins) than I can keep track of.
The 2 LFS's that I use regulary will guarantee my livestock and will order me WHATEVER I want.
The one transshipper that I use often is the main diver/shipper for the one LFS that I use most often. He hand selects the fish and corals and then ships them home.
I like giving business to the locals and that I can view the fish in person before buying it.
I will say this (sorry SWF): all fish that I've ordered online are NEVER as healthy of colorful or have as good of an appetite as when I purchase locally.
For me, the price I get from my LFS is almost always cheaper, then you add in the shipping charges, and that basically seals the deal for me.
BUT...online you pay no taxes...so in the long run (for me anyway) the shipping charges ends up being cheaper then tax, gas, and of course the meal that comes with shopping LOL
That's the beauty of online ordering. I have a sneaking suspicion that situations like BTLDreef's and my own are probably the exceptions....not the norm. For lots of people who are land-locked....say, in OKLAHOMA.....
I can imagine that the online experience is preferable.
And No, we haven't moved yet. My part time job has given us a little wiggle room - though not much - and we may in fact be staying down here. Next weekend I'm taking a quick trip down to Miami to see the offices of Two Little Fishies. It's a complete long shot (no advertised job vacancies) but you know it's worth the trip just to put my resume in front of somebody to see if there is any interest. I need to find a way to combine my hobby with my skill set and capitalize on that experience! I also need an excuse to keep my tanks.....
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/382292/got-fish#post_3335778
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/382292/got-fish#post_3335774
I have ordered both online, from many LFS and from a diver. I happen to know three trans-shippers within 15mins of my house, so that makes things very easy. I'm lucky with where I live. There are more LFS's within an hour of my house (even within 30mins) than I can keep track of.
The 2 LFS's that I use regulary will guarantee my livestock and will order me WHATEVER I want.
The one transshipper that I use often is the main diver/shipper for the one LFS that I use most often. He hand selects the fish and corals and then ships them home.
I like giving business to the locals and that I can view the fish in person before buying it.
I will say this (sorry SWF): all fish that I've ordered online are NEVER as healthy of colorful or have as good of an appetite as when I purchase locally.
For me, the price I get from my LFS is almost always cheaper, then you add in the shipping charges, and that basically seals the deal for me.
BUT...online you pay no taxes...so in the long run (for me anyway) the shipping charges ends up being cheaper then tax, gas, and of course the meal that comes with shopping LOL
That's the beauty of online ordering. I have a sneaking suspicion that situations like BTLDreef's and my own are probably the exceptions....not the norm. For lots of people who are land-locked....say, in OKLAHOMA.....
And No, we haven't moved yet. My part time job has given us a little wiggle room - though not much - and we may in fact be staying down here. Next weekend I'm taking a quick trip down to Miami to see the offices of Two Little Fishies. It's a complete long shot (no advertised job vacancies) but you know it's worth the trip just to put my resume in front of somebody to see if there is any interest. I need to find a way to combine my hobby with my skill set and capitalize on that experience! I also need an excuse to keep my tanks.....
btldreef
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/382292/got-fish#post_3335778
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/382292/got-fish#post_3335774
I have ordered both online, from many LFS and from a diver. I happen to know three trans-shippers within 15mins of my house, so that makes things very easy. I'm lucky with where I live. There are more LFS's within an hour of my house (even within 30mins) than I can keep track of.
The 2 LFS's that I use regulary will guarantee my livestock and will order me WHATEVER I want.
The one transshipper that I use often is the main diver/shipper for the one LFS that I use most often. He hand selects the fish and corals and then ships them home.
I like giving business to the locals and that I can view the fish in person before buying it.
I will say this (sorry SWF): all fish that I've ordered online are NEVER as healthy of colorful or have as good of an appetite as when I purchase locally.
For me, the price I get from my LFS is almost always cheaper, then you add in the shipping charges, and that basically seals the deal for me.
BUT...online you pay no taxes...so in the long run (for me anyway) the shipping charges ends up being cheaper then tax, gas, and of course the meal that comes with shopping LOL
True. I have the luxury of being 5 minutes from 4 of my favorite stores, and two of them offer me 10% for being part of a local forum and another 25% off for running a local reef club. One store won't charge me tax if I pay cash either, so it works for me.
If I were you, I would order online (not that you really have a choice, LOL). I'm just lucky.
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/382292/got-fish#post_3335778
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/382292/got-fish#post_3335774
I have ordered both online, from many LFS and from a diver. I happen to know three trans-shippers within 15mins of my house, so that makes things very easy. I'm lucky with where I live. There are more LFS's within an hour of my house (even within 30mins) than I can keep track of.
The 2 LFS's that I use regulary will guarantee my livestock and will order me WHATEVER I want.
The one transshipper that I use often is the main diver/shipper for the one LFS that I use most often. He hand selects the fish and corals and then ships them home.
I like giving business to the locals and that I can view the fish in person before buying it.
I will say this (sorry SWF): all fish that I've ordered online are NEVER as healthy of colorful or have as good of an appetite as when I purchase locally.
For me, the price I get from my LFS is almost always cheaper, then you add in the shipping charges, and that basically seals the deal for me.
BUT...online you pay no taxes...so in the long run (for me anyway) the shipping charges ends up being cheaper then tax, gas, and of course the meal that comes with shopping LOL
True. I have the luxury of being 5 minutes from 4 of my favorite stores, and two of them offer me 10% for being part of a local forum and another 25% off for running a local reef club. One store won't charge me tax if I pay cash either, so it works for me.
If I were you, I would order online (not that you really have a choice, LOL). I'm just lucky.
mjm889
Member
i have a ton of lfs in the milwaukee area but only one or two are worth buying from. they specialize in fish not like ***** and others who are a jack of all trades and a master of none. my last six fish i bought from swf.com and they did great, no problems healthy and it save me a lot more money then going to my lfs. I also buy fish supplies online which saves a ton. So my vote is for online now i think it may be the new way to go for salt. Freshwater i think i would still go to the lfs unless it was for discus fish
B
brandonsivek
Guest
I chose LFS. I really enjoy helping out a local business when I can. I also cannot justify the price of ordering online. A snowflake eel for example, is $81.56 with shipping! I got mine at my LFS for $16, no tax! I dont think that the online trade is a bad thing though. There are a ton of people who just dont have the luxury of living anywhere close to a FS. I mean, think about it. 20 years ago, if you lived in a very rural area, and nowhere near a FS, you pretty much had no options, then you would be left to collecting Sea Monkeys!
J
jstdv8
Guest
My LFS's here in the Anchorage, Wasilla area are awesome. they gurantee thier stuff, are very freindly and overall pretty knowlegeable and they have huge tanks to look at (2x400 and 1 600)
I'm with Brandon in saying that I try to support them so that wehn I need salt or a heater or a peppermint shrimp i can go right down the road and get what I need in a hurry.
They have also been kind enough when I didn't have enough money for salt to temporarily trade me a couple powerheads I wasn't using for a bucket of salt and then jsut leave them behind the counter for a week or so until i could come in with the money for the bucket. Online retailers aren't going to do personal favors no matter how great they are.
That being said I've heard almsot nothing but great things about the stuff that comes from SWF.com and if the shipping wasn't so crazy up here I'd consider buying from them if they had something I really liked in the WYSIWYG section.
I'm with Brandon in saying that I try to support them so that wehn I need salt or a heater or a peppermint shrimp i can go right down the road and get what I need in a hurry.
They have also been kind enough when I didn't have enough money for salt to temporarily trade me a couple powerheads I wasn't using for a bucket of salt and then jsut leave them behind the counter for a week or so until i could come in with the money for the bucket. Online retailers aren't going to do personal favors no matter how great they are.
That being said I've heard almsot nothing but great things about the stuff that comes from SWF.com and if the shipping wasn't so crazy up here I'd consider buying from them if they had something I really liked in the WYSIWYG section.