Buying online vs LFS

[Ruskin]

Yeah I definitely understand that. Personally I don't QT my fish when most people advise people to do. As for me I live with my family so I don't get to call the shots. Even convincing them to allow me to get a nano tank was hard. They would definitely not allow another tank using electricity (even a tiny one). When I'm in or out of college then yeah ill QT my fish but that's not an option right now. As for risks and gauging yes I understand that. Obviously I care about my fish as the whole point of this thread is to lessen the chances of having another death and having my fish/coral thrive.

If that's the case, buy from somewhere reputable, regardless of shipping costs. You buy enough sick fish and have to replace them, it was worth it to buy one and pay more. The place I mentioned in a post above, sells only captive bred fish and so can keep there systems cleaner then a place that is cycling new wild fish every week. Im in Canada so the place probably couldnt help you, but you must be able to find something similar.

 

[LordNecro]

If that's the case, buy from somewhere reputable, regardless of shipping costs. You buy enough sick fish and have to replace them, it was worth it to buy one and pay more. The place I mentioned in a post above, sells only captive bred fish and so can keep there systems cleaner then a place that is cycling new wild fish every week. Im in Canada so the place probably couldnt help you, but you must be able to find something similar.

This is basically the point I'm trying to argue to my family. Why risk getting another wild caught when I can buy a captive bred from a reputable place online that will have a higher chance of thriving? Sure I have to pay more for shipping/for the fish but for me its worth it. I mentioned tsmaquatics just because I read that they quarantine their fish before selling and is pretty reputable. I also liveaquaria as they have a bunch of fish tsm doesn't but seems to be not as reputable. If anyone has other really good online vendors in the US I would love suggestions

 

[LordNecro]

nice get what you can...I am not

Yeah, I was really happy to be able to get a tank. Obviously I had to do tons of research and am currently doing everything myself.

 

[Nanorock1970]

I honestly haven't considered that, thanks for the suggestion! When looking for a LFS I literally just searched LFS around me and the one I go to is pretty good, just this one bad time. I'll start looking around for fish stores farther away

I know some places that can be hard. When I lived in Rhode Island, there were only a handful of places. Here in Florida, you can almost throw rocks at them....Ok they are not that plentiful near me but a few cities south and north of me have more options.
Example, I was looking for a blue striped shroom. Found it online easy, was not willing to pay the shipping. Posted on the WTB forum here and no one seemed to have one but I got a lead from a local to me R2R member that gave me a lead to a store about an hour south of me. Well it was a strike for that visit. Posted to FB on a local group and I got a hit...Downside is I only wanted to drive an hour. They were two and a half hours away. Took me about a week of thinking about it and I hit them up again and found out they didn't want $$ they wanted to just trade some coral for coral...So I decided to go with it and make the trip. I traded some Zoas for 2 small striped shrooms and they also gave me a small frag of GSP. So the expensive online purchase in the end cost me a $10 frag, gas money and 5 hours of driving round trip.

 

[LordNecro]

I know some places that can be hard. When I lived in Rhode Island, there were only a handful of places. Here in Florida, you can almost throw rocks at them....Ok they are not that plentiful near me but a few cities south and north of me have more options.
Example, I was looking for a blue striped shroom. Found it online easy, was not willing to pay the shipping. Posted on the WTB forum here and no one seemed to have one but I got a lead from a local to me R2R member that gave me a lead to a store about an hour south of me. Well it was a strike for that visit. Posted to FB on a local group and I got a hit...Downside is I only wanted to drive an hour. They were two and a half hours away. Took me about a week of thinking about it and I hit them up again and found out they didn't want $$ they wanted to just trade some coral for coral...So I decided to go with it and make the trip. I traded some Zoas for 2 small striped shrooms and they also gave me a small frag of GSP. So the expensive online purchase in the end cost me a $10 frag, gas money and 5 hours of driving round trip.

I live in NYC. Haven't started looking yet but I'm not sure if there are many saltwater fish stores around. As for your blue striped shroom that's great! I looked for a local group in NYC and found a ny reef sale/trade group but its mostly equipment.

 

[Jarvisffc]

Im lucky I suppose in having 9 LFS within 30 minutes of me, I’m new to it all and just enjoying visiting them all and getting a feel for which is best, bought fish and corals from 4 of them so far as a test, the variety in price amazes me to be honest

 

[RobB'z Reef]

LFS...if only

 

[Ruskin]

This is basically the point I'm trying to argue to my family. Why risk getting another wild caught when I can buy a captive bred from a reputable place online that will have a higher chance of thriving? Sure I have to pay more for shipping/for the fish but for me its worth it. I mentioned tsmaquatics just because I read that they quarantine their fish before selling and is pretty reputable. I also liveaquaria as they have a bunch of fish tsm doesn't but seems to be not as reputable. If anyone has other really good online vendors in the US I would love suggestions

Just be careful with any place that says they quarantine. Unless the fish is in a separate system and nothing gets added before you buy it, you always run the risk of getting something. It is incredibly hard for a store to properly quarantine. You sound like you are trying your best, so that's just food for thought. good luck

 

[Ruskin]

Oh, also ORA breeds captive YWG, maybe you can see if they have a dealer in your area?