Buying Coral On Vacation

[pelphrey]

My family and I are heading to Destin this afternoon for the week. While we are down there if I have some spare time I may try to find a few local stores and take a look at their stock. I am nearly done with my tank and should have it setup shortly after we get home, but I do have a 10 gallon with a HOB filter, heater and a Kessil A150 as a spare. It isn't my goal to purchase anything, but if I do get the itch do you all see any issues with it? I would only be interested in coral, not fish. If I did make a purchase I would have to make rodi water and get my salt mixed so there is the potential that the coral would have to stay in a bag for 36 hours. I would have to buy them Friday afternoon/evening and we aren't leaving until Saturday morning. I could very well wait until my main tank was setup, but I'll just have to pay shipping charges since there are no suppliers around me. What other precautions should be taken?

 

[saltyphish]

First issue and it is a big one is your tank is not already set-up meaning you have not cycled your tank. Cycling a tank can take anywhere from a couple weeks to a few months. Now let's say hypothetically your tank was up and running and cycled and stabilized and you wanted to purchase some coral on vacation I would not buy them and hold them for 3 days in a bag it is no bueno. Instead I would either purchase them and ask the store to hold them for you until the day you are leaving or just buy them the last day. Corals are shipped overnight because it is stressful on them and any longer chances are good they will not make it. There is no flow in the bag, no filtration or waste removal, and lighting will be a concern as well. In this hobby you need to take it slow and make sure everything is ready before you purchase something. Buying coral or livestock on a whim and not being prepared is a sure way to waste money and livestock.

 

[happyhourhero]

Based upon your plan above, I would recommend not wasting your money. Wait until your tank is set up and cycled and then stable and then you can slowly start to try corals. There isnt really any part of your plan that is conducive to the well being of the coral. Not trying to be a hater, it just doesnt seem well thought out and impulsive decisions in this hobby rarely turn out well for people just starting out.