Fish tank direct

TNT_Bulldogs · Nov 10, 2021

Hello, I’m new. Looking to start my build. I was looking at getting the Neptune apex. It went up in price almost everywhere by $80 in a matter of one week. Only one I see has the original price is fish tank direct. I have never bought from them. If anyone has any experience with them let me know. Don’t want to get scammed.
Thank you

TastesLikeChicken · Nov 10, 2021

I’ve purchased from them once or twice. I think they are legit. Didn’t have any problems. They also seem to have lower prices.

ariellemermaid · Nov 10, 2021

TNT_Bulldogs said:
Hello, I’m new. Looking to start my build. I was looking at getting the Neptune apex. It went up in price almost everywhere by $80 in a matter of one week. Only one I see has the original price is fish tank direct. I have never bought from them. If anyone has any experience with them let me know. Don’t want to get scammed.
Thank you

I bought my tank and pumps there; easy to get hold of on the phone and responsive. Filled my order correctly. Sump broke during delivery and they did drop the ball for a few weeks on something Red Sea had requested from them that they missed, but it was an honest mistake and everything was made right. Best part…. They’re based in FL and didn’t charge sales tax in NC, but YMMV.

I need a second Apex and 2 power bars now. Personally I’m holding out hope any day now Neptune will do a Black Friday 10-15% off. Many other MAP brands are doing that right now. I bought my first Apex under the same conditions (don’t remember if it was Black Friday though, might have been a spring sale). It does seem that when a few brands do it everyone follows along. Fingers crossed!

mdb_talon · Nov 10, 2021

They have to make sure to raise prices to account for the black friday sale

TNT_Bulldogs · Nov 11, 2021

ariellemermaid said:
I bought my tank and pumps there; easy to get hold of on the phone and responsive. Filled my order correctly. Sump broke during delivery and they did drop the ball for a few weeks on something Red Sea had requested from them that they missed, but it was an honest mistake and everything was made right. Best part…. They’re based in FL and didn’t charge sales tax in NC, but YMMV.

I need a second Apex and 2 power bars now. Personally I’m holding out hope any day now Neptune will do a Black Friday 10-15% off. Many other MAP brands are doing that right now. I bought my first Apex under the same conditions (don’t remember if it was Black Friday though, might have been a spring sale). It does seem that when a few brands do it everyone follows along. Fingers crossed!

Thank you I was thinking of waiting for Black Friday as well. Just a little worried since I see the prices going up and availability of things going down.

TNT_Bulldogs · Nov 11, 2021

TastesLikeChicken said:
I’ve purchased from them once or twice. I think they are legit. Didn’t have any problems. They also seem to have lower prices.

Thank you

TNT_Bulldogs · Nov 11, 2021

ariellemermaid said:
I bought my tank and pumps there; easy to get hold of on the phone and responsive. Filled my order correctly. Sump broke during delivery and they did drop the ball for a few weeks on something Red Sea had requested from them that they missed, but it was an honest mistake and everything was made right. Best part…. They’re based in FL and didn’t charge sales tax in NC, but YMMV.

I need a second Apex and 2 power bars now. Personally I’m holding out hope any day now Neptune will do a Black Friday 10-15% off. Many other MAP brands are doing that right now. I bought my first Apex under the same conditions (don’t remember if it was Black Friday though, might have been a spring sale). It does seem that when a few brands do it everyone follows along. Fingers crossed!

Thank you might wait for Black Friday if that’s the case.

TNT_Bulldogs · Nov 11, 2021

mdb_talon said:
They have to make sure to raise prices to account for the black friday sale

Yes that’s most companies sales strategy for sure.

slythy · Nov 12, 2021

Neptune raised their prices on a bunch of items recently. It was an across the board permanent raise its not just for black friday. This price increase happened on i think Oct 20th or something. My LFS told me it was coming so I purchased before the increase.

jt8791 · Nov 12, 2021

The rewards program isn’t bad either, combined with the lower pricing and sales tax free it’s definitely worth considering. I got my Photon 24-V2+ from them tax free, have yet to figure out what I will use the rewards for, maybe some new wave pumps later on.

SPS2020 · Nov 12, 2021

I have purchased several higher priced items from them and had no issues.

afrokobe · Nov 12, 2021

I purchased a IM nuvo pennisula from them a few years ago. It arrived damaged and they told me to contact IM directly. IM told me they weren't an authorized resellers and to purchase future items elsewhere. IM did honor the warranty and were able to get me a new tank, I just wanted to put this out there. Fish Tank Direct's customer service wasn't the best as I had to do everything myself. Just make sure they are authorized resellers for whatever you are purchasing.

ariellemermaid · Nov 12, 2021

afrokobe said:
I purchased a IM nuvo pennisula from them a few years ago. It arrived damaged and they told me to contact IM directly. IM told me they weren't an authorized resellers and to purchase future items elsewhere. IM did honor the warranty and were able to get me a new tank, I just wanted to put this out there. Fish Tank Direct's customer service wasn't the best as I had to do everything myself. Just make sure they are authorized resellers for whatever you are purchasing.

Good to know. My experience with Red Sea was completely different, I was expressly told to contact FTD for any issues and they took care of everything. Sounds like everything worked out though in which case I’d say the sales tax savings was probably still worth it.

jt8791 said:
The rewards program isn’t bad either, combined with the lower pricing and sales tax free it’s definitely worth considering. I got my Photon 24-V2+ from them tax free, have yet to figure out what I will use the rewards for, maybe some new wave pumps later on.

I hadn’t even thought of that! I need to check my points after the huge purchase I made with them!

afrokobe · Nov 12, 2021

ariellemermaid said:
Good to know. My experience with Red Sea was completely different, I was expressly told to contact FTD for any issues and they took care of everything. Sounds like everything worked out though in which case I’d say the sales tax savings was probably still worth it.

I hadn’t even thought of that! I need to check my points after the huge purchase I made with them!

yea the tax savings were part of the reason i purchase from them... but I also didnt know IM was running the bundle with the mj return, screen top and back chamber caddy. I had to buy all of those separately, which ended up being more expensive than the bundle lol. Initially I thought I didnt need them, but the stock return was so loud and fish kept jumping... you live and learn