Favorite online vendor

ajtomase · Aug 28, 2020

Hi everyone,

My LFS doesn't have that many colorful options for Zoas and I was looking at online options. Has anyone used Unique Corals, Legendary Corals, World Wide Corals, or something else? I don't want to settle for some blah patterns.

Thanks!

Oscar47f · Aug 28, 2020

ajtomase said:
Hi everyone,

My LFS doesn't have that many colorful options for Zoas and I was looking at online options. Has anyone used Unique Corals, Legendary Corals, World Wide Corals, or something else? I don't want to settle for some blah patterns.

Thanks!

A lot of these have beautiful selections world wide is kinda eh, and tbh you can kind everything these guys have for better prices through this forum from another hobbyist...

Homebrewer · Aug 28, 2020

ajtomase said:
Hi everyone,

My LFS doesn't have that many colorful options for Zoas and I was looking at online options. Has anyone used Unique Corals, Legendary Corals, World Wide Corals, or something else? I don't want to settle for some blah patterns.

Thanks!

I see you are posting the same question multiple times in multiple forums. I understand what your motivation is and would never discourage you from asking questions. That said, you’re going to get a lot of varied opinions for responses, and statistically, you would need an enormous sample size to have enough data to make a decision, especially about each type of coral.

Provided that cost is a factor, as it is for many of us, if you are going to order online, you might consider consolidating an order to save on shipping. If you ordered from the best SPS, LPS, and zoa vendor, assuming those are 3 different places, you’re talking probably $120 in shipping right there.

But to answer your question, there are many vendors that sponsor this site. I suggest starting with them. Some specialize in some types of corals over others. A simple use of the search tool will help you add to the pool of information that you will gather with these threads. Good luck in your quest for information.

vetteguy53081 · Aug 28, 2020

AquaSD

Kryptonian · Aug 28, 2020

I pretty much do all my business with @calikidcorals @WWC and @tsmaquatics. I also purchased a couple fish from @NYAquatic and they were happy and healthy as well!

Not much can beat the quarantine regiment and customer support of TSM. They always respond quickly and go out of their way to help me with orders and finding the right fish for my tank.

World Wide Corals is a very trustworthy dealer for colorful corals. I'd look to them and maybe bump up the order to qualify for free shipping.

Jeremy Luke · Aug 28, 2020

Personally, I would definitely buy from a reputable dealer only.. such as WWC. I really like battlecorals but they only carry SPS. IMO when you pick up frags from other reefers or at a local frag swap you run a much higher risk of picking up nasties. The tank I just broke down had aptasia and vermitid snails. I know how I got both and it didn't come from a reputable dealer.

KellyCorals · Aug 29, 2020

Cali kid...not cheap but nice zoas and LPS. I also agree you can get the same thing but even better price from some of the members on this site.

danschoenherr · Aug 30, 2020

I try to buy from other hobbyists here on Reef2Reef, but I have also purchased from Legendary Corals, Coral Shoppe and World Wide Corals several times. These dealers also run auctions on eBay frequently, which I have done also and have had great expeiences. They will let you add items from their website onto your auction wins also.

Mateusz · Aug 30, 2020

I buy from hobbyists here on r2r more than anywhere else. Website prices are usually inane.

IKD · Aug 30, 2020

As @Homebrewer said, there are lots of options

here is a list I put together recently. Hope it helps

Summary List of Online Vendors

Hi all, I've seen a few threads looking for online vendor suggestions. I'd like share my list of various places I've heard about or purchased from. I'm sure there are missing ones, so please respond and I'll keep updating to keep the list as comprehensive as possible. Happy Reefing! Note, here...

www.reef2reef.com

Southpawblues · Sep 12, 2020

I have been having very good success with reef2reef purchases from fellow zoa growers on the livestock for sale forum. Sometimes I am a day late and miss out out on the best choices. Wish there was a way to set up some kind of email alert when a zoa sale comes up on this forum. Most recent purchases from 305Reefer, acropoora, chad chapman and littlebigreef have all been outstanding. Most are also willing to share zoa growing success strategies which I greatly appreciate.

littlebigreef · Sep 13, 2020

I’d say it all depends on what you’re looking for. I’ve had a number of great transactions with some of the larger outfits listed above as well as many members here on r2r. At some point you get so far down the rabbit hole you’re talking to a handful of people that might have a specific strain.

For larger vendors expect to pay more of a premium but you’re pretty well assured of getting an excellent specimen and expert packaging.

If you’re buying from another hobbyist do your research and look at their sales posts, feedback, even build threads. I’ve had nothing but good experiences with r2r members. Additionally, a fellow hobbyist is going to be able to offer you a better pack price and might be able to offer you some interesting zoas you weren’t necessarily looking for. Just be sure to find out what their doa policy is and how they pack stuff. As always if they ask for payment via ‘friends and family’ kill the deal.

Hope this helps.