Divers Den or Live Aquaria?

[Cflip]

I can get the same fish from both places. Besides seeing the exact fish you are getting at Divers is there any other advantage? It is more expensive at Divers Den.

 

[Reefpharmer]

Supposedly the DD fish are more conditioned and are in better health than regular LA fish. This is not to say that regular LA is bad or has unhealthy fish. They have great fish and are Excellent in my book, but if you want your fish to get extra attention, go with LA

 

[alton]

Surprisingly I see some fish cheaper on DD than on LA. BF angels and Chevron juveniles as an example.

 

[Tori]

I ordered from both successfully. I would say if you see something you like in the wysiwyg picture than go with that, otherwise go for the cheaper option.

 

[andrew james]

When it comes to spending hundreds of dollars on a single fish both LA and DD have an exceptional 14 day guarantee. That being said I've bought around 20 fish from DD and have never had a lose or noticed a disease or parasite on any of them. I still do TTM + 6 weeks in a QT. but all the fish that I've received from them have been extremely healthy.

 

[eatbreakfast]

They are conditioned for 2 weeks at DD, whereas at LA they may have arrived fairly recently.

 

[Jrco226]

Divers Den is its own location in Wisconsin with high end quarantining system so if you are not big into the idea of quarantining yourself, which you should do, then I would go with Divers Den. Plus, as you said you get a look at what your buying.

 

[4FordFamily]

They are conditioned for 2 weeks at DD, whereas at LA they may have arrived fairly recently.

X2. You can get sick fish from either, I've received velvet from DD fish several times but it's far less likely. The added bonus is that they're more conditioned to captivity and eating better.

 

[mtfish]

It would depend on how hardy the fish was and how much color variance there is among the species... and how much cost difference between DD and LA. I like being able to see the actual fish I am buying and that the salinity of the water from DD is near 35 ppt, so I do not have to acclimate up to normal salinity. However this is not a big problem as I do TTM on all fish, so can bring salinity up through each transfer.

 

[Cflip]

Thank you much learning so much here!!

 

[ca1ore]

Fish from both sources should be quarantined. DD are ostensibly eating and acclimated to full salinity, and will often be less common fish (though not always). I have had good success with both.

 

[billwill]

I've had poor luck with LA, both fish and inverts. 100% guaranteed though, but I went with a refund instead of ordering again.

 

[d2mini]

Personally, i've experienced a pretty big difference between the two.
In fact, just received an order this week from both.
Purple Tang from DD and 5 blue reef chromis from LA.
The tang is gorgeous and healthy.
Only two of the reef chromis made the trip. And they are (were) all tiny. I knew they were sized small, but at $20 each I was hoping for something slightly more substantial. And alive.

That said, you can't beat their warranty and customer service. The woman was very apologetic and credited my account no questions asked.

Every time I order from DD, I am VERY pleased with what I receive.

 

[Sppf121]

Personally, i've experienced a pretty big difference between the two.
In fact, just received an order this week from both.
Purple Tang from DD and 5 blue reef chromis from LA.
The tang is gorgeous and healthy.
Only two of the reef chromis made the trip. And they are (were) all tiny. I knew they were sized small, but at $20 each I was hoping for something slightly more substantial. And alive.

That said, you can't beat their warranty and customer service. The woman was very apologetic and credited my account no questions asked.

Every time I order from DD, I am VERY pleased with what I receive.

Lol was that the 2 5/8" purple tang? That's too funny. I was paying for it when it became unavailable. If so that seemed like a nice fish Glad to here you had a good experience with them. I am ready for the next one

 

[Cflip]

Just placed my order! One from DD and one from Florida ORA. Wish me luck!

 

[Cary Hover]

Live Aquaria is great. Their Divers Den shows exactly what you are getting. Sounds like there might be a website called Divers Den? Ill have to search when done here. LA has great customer service. I have ordered lots of fish and SPS from them. Their livestock is way better that Sea Dwelling Creatures.

 

[d2mini]

Lol was that the 2 5/8" purple tang? That's too funny. I was paying for it when it became unavailable. If so that seemed like a nice fish Glad to here you had a good experience with them. I am ready for the next one

haha, i dunno... maybe. I ordered this weekend.

 

[ecrumpler]

Live Aquaria drop ships from Quality Marine, a wholesaler. In my experience, while you should qt everything, DD fish have been healthier than fish from LA. Some of this depends on the species of fish, but for the same fish, I'd go DD.

 

[125mph]

I order a lot from DD. Thier fish are fat and healthy usually. Last month I ordered a wrasse and potters angel that came from DD and one of them brought velvet with it.

Last week I ordered a regal angel from LA and two wrasse from DD. All 3 fish were very nice.

With DD, you get fish that are fat and have been conditioned. It Durant guarantee they'll eat if thier finicky eaters but they are fat and can withstand longer periods if adjustment. That's the main difference.if the sane specimens, I would go with DD even paying more.

 

[alex.mccann99]

I have heard that DD fish have basically gone through quarantine. I have NEVER had a problem with a fish or coral from DD. My opinion its worth the extra money. Plus you get to see the fish you're getting.