Petco For Corals?

[mfrumkin]

This is my day for weird questions. I bought my granddaughter a 50gl tank to start her out. Shipped her some of my corals, she lives in the southeast, and all seems to be going well. She is learning and my son is, somewhat reluctantly helping her, he knows what to do after 40 years of osmosis, he just isn't into it.

She wants to purchase her own corals with money she has saved. Online is not a real option since her Dad refuses to let her pay overnight shipping costs and he wants her to really "see" what she is buying. There is a Petco close to them that carries corals. Has anyone ever bought corals from Petco/Petsmart? Are they good quality? Are they aquacultured? Other than the usual acclimation and dipping is there anything, in particular, she needs to be aware of?

She is not allowed on Forums, even safe ones like R2R, so I have to ask the questions for her. I'm sure there will be more.

 

[Indytraveler83]

Just an opinion of an inexperienced reefer who knows his local Petco employees fairly well:

Treat everything they have as sick. It all comes from a bulk supplier and is shipped with minimal care. Quarantine, dip and observe at a very minimum. I’ve gotten some good things from them, but I’ve also had Petco stock crash my (freshwater) tank more than once before I used a QT tank.

More experienced reefers may be able to comment on the origins of their coral.

 

[Tamberav]

I have gotten stuff from there...some Petcos are nicer than others....some have dedicated frag tanks and others just put it in with their fish (so they would want to make sure the fish appear healthy as getting disease is a risk). I would cut the frag plugs off and dip for sure.

Petco can order ORA stuff...so you can order directly from ORA and pick it up in the bag. If you don't like what's in the bag...say it arrived damaged...you don't not have to buy it.

Not all Petcos may have the same list they can order from. Some seem to get more options than others... probably based on their ability to care for animals.

 

[mfrumkin]

I have gotten stuff from there...some Petcos are nicer than others....some have dedicated frag tanks and others just put it in with their fish (so they would want to make sure the fish appear healthy as getting disease is a risk). I would cut the frag plugs off and dip for sure.

Petco can order ORA stuff...so you can order directly from ORA and pick it up in the bag. If you don't like what's in the bag...say it arrived damaged...you don't not have to buy it.

Not all Petcos may have the same list they can order from. Some seem to get more options than others... probably based on their ability to care for animals.

Very helpful info. Thanks. I'll have my son find out if they can order from ORA for pick up.

 

[RichReef]

The Petco near me is GREAT. The person in charge of the fish department is a long time reefer.

Like others have said and are going to say it's just like a LFS. Hit or miss.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Depends on the Petco. Most of them can order for you.

 

[ahiggins]

I’ve never seen a petco that had good stock, ever. Fish were sick and coral were either heavily bleached or dead.

 

[Alex808]

What kind of prison is that guy running? Lol.

Petco/PetsMart are hit or miss. Down here where I am the stores just redid their saltwater tanks and upgraded most of their stock which is a good thing. Have seen their tanks looking clean but their livestock in terrible shape. Choose carefully and definitely treat before adding to your tank.

 

[mfrumkin]

I called ORA and they told me Petco can order directly from them, but there is still a shipping issue. I don't know what the local LFS has near them. The problem is if the kid can only afford to order 1-2 pieces at a time the $30-$40 shipping becomes brutal. I have to think about this. I have been FORBIDDEN from buying her corals for any reason other than Birthdays and Christmas. These are her pets and she needs to learn to take care of them herself.

 

[MnFish1]

This is a tank at a local PetCo - the person managing the department knows as much (or more) than most local LFS. Advice - talk to the employees - manager - if they seem to know what they are doing - buy - if not - don't.

 

[MnFish1]

Just an opinion of an inexperienced reefer who knows his local Petco employees fairly well:

Treat everything they have as sick. It all comes from a bulk supplier and is shipped with minimal care. Quarantine, dip and observe at a very minimum. I’ve gotten some good things from them, but I’ve also had Petco stock crash my (freshwater) tank more than once before I used a QT tank.

More experienced reefers may be able to comment on the origins of their coral.

This isn't true (at least for every Petco).

 

[SandJ]

Are there any local clubs? If so, maybe they could go to a meeting together and talk with local reefers.

 

[mfrumkin]

Are there any local clubs? If so, maybe they could go to a meeting together and talk with local reefers.

My thought exactly. Unfortunately, the only club I find on R2R is about a 2-hour drive, but I will keep looking.

 

[SandJ]

My thought exactly. Unfortunately, the only club I find on R2R is about a 2-hour drive, but I will keep looking.

Lots of clubs are not listed on here, maybe try to google for clubs in the area. My daughter and I attended club meetings frequently when we lived near Washington DC. Where we live now does not have many reef clubs, but we are close enough to drive to RAP in Orlando. We have made a few mother/daughter trips to MACNA and RAP. We enjoy being able to help a fellow reefer out, especially when it is a young person getting involved in the hobby.