buying frags online

Jej34 · Feb 19, 2016

Trying to gather info on whether it's good to purchase frags online. I'm looking for a cheaper alternative than spending a lot at the lfs for a small frag.
I just have a hard time believing they can survive the shipping.

TheEngineer · Feb 19, 2016

A good vendor will get them to you healthy and good to go. Online you have to worry about shipping costs. Depending on where you buy from it could be anywhere from $15-60.

Triggreef · Feb 19, 2016

I buy more online than in stores. I have decent stores around here but for corals it's always the same stuff locally. The higher end stuff I buy online because that's the only way to find it. Most of the time corals arrive with polyps out and very healthy. Fish sometimes have trouble. But I'd say 90 percent of fish are fine.

I actually had one order shipped on Thursday. Got held up due to weather by ups. Didn't get delivered until Monday. I actually had one zoa polyp that lived somehow. Still have it.

Jej34 · Feb 19, 2016

Triggreef said:
I buy more online than in stores. I have decent stores around here but for corals it's always the same stuff locally. The higher end stuff I buy online because that's the only way to find it. Most of the time corals arrive with polyps out and very healthy. Fish sometimes have trouble. But I'd say 90 percent of fish are fine.

I actually had one order shipped on Thursday. Got held up due to weather by ups. Didn't get delivered until Monday. I actually had one zoa polyp that lived somehow. Still have it.

Who do you like to use?

Davesgt · Feb 19, 2016

Jej34 said:
Trying to gather info on whether it's good to purchase frags online. I'm looking for a cheaper alternative than spending a lot at the lfs for a small frag.
I just have a hard time believing they can survive the shipping.

All corals are shipped to your LFS and for the most part are in shipping to them twice as long as they would if they came straight to you.

Triggreef · Feb 19, 2016

There are many good sponsors on the site here. There also many good reefers here that sell often. I've bought from charity corals, cherry corals, aquasd, live aquaria, wwc, battle corals to name a few. Also many vendors from frags auction place on Facebook. Waiting on an order from gonzo corals right now. Live sales are very fun but quite addicting. Very happy with all of those I listed.

hybridazn · Feb 19, 2016

Another great place to get corals is at frag swaps. See if there are any in your area coming up.

Jej34 · Feb 19, 2016

Davesgt said:
All corals are shipped to your LFS and for the most part are in shipping to them twice as long as they would if they came straight to you.

Pretty funny, I never thought of that! Your so right..

Jej34 · Feb 19, 2016

hybridazn said:
Another great place to get corals is at frag swaps. See if there are any in your area coming up.

I'd love to find one of those in my area! Being as I only own 3 frags lol, I don't have much to offer! I'm trying to get my tank to not look like it has hair plugs!

traumajeff · Feb 19, 2016

Jej34 said:
Who do you like to use?

Fraghouse corals is good to go. Great communication, perfect shipping, and fat frags. Brandon is one of the sponsors here.

Davesgt · Feb 19, 2016

Jej34 said:
I'd love to find one of those in my area! Being as I only own 3 frags lol, I don't have much to offer! I'm trying to get my tank to not look like it has hair plugs!

Where are you located at?

Jej34 · Feb 19, 2016

N.J
12 miles east of center city phil.

mbemount · Feb 19, 2016

I've bought from a good chunk of sponsors from R2R and have had 0 issues, lost a total of 1 coral from shipment and it was a freebie that was thrown in so I wasn't upset to say the least. Almost all coral is shipped overnight by 10:30AM (at least every vendor I've dealt with) so barring delays shouldn't have a problem. Shoutout to @Supreme Reefs for having the best packaging out of anyone that i've ordered so far, truly impressive packaging.

Downside to ordering online is paying shipping costs which are not cheap for overnight shipping but you can generally combat that by buying more frags for significantly less than at your LFS. My last order from @AquaSD was ~$200 for over 18 frags (including freebies). Pretty darn good pricing if you ask me.

MikeyAl · Feb 20, 2016

Jej34 said:
Trying to gather info on whether it's good to purchase frags online. I'm looking for a cheaper alternative than spending a lot at the lfs for a small frag.
I just have a hard time believing they can survive the shipping.

I like AquaSd. They have a weekly sale on this forum and they do a great job of packing and shipping. The only issue I ever had was when ups inexplicably held my package. AquaSd replaced the entire shipment.
Good luck.