What online coral store is best?

moneyman · Oct 26, 2023

Hi I am trying to find a good, cheap, low shipping cost online coral shop. I have searched but I'm not sure if there is one out there. The best I have found is salt critters, but everything is always sold out. If there isn't one like that out there, tell me your suggestions. Thanks!

Sisterlimonpot · Oct 26, 2023

If you're looking for fair prices, online isn't the route you want to go.

Your best bet is to find locals that sell coral.

OSFF · Oct 27, 2023

Austin Aqua Farms has great prices for larger pieces. The vast majority of online sellers just buy wholesale colonies and chop them up and sell for huge profits. Bonus points if they give them some “ultra indo” designer name to reel in the newbies/suckers.

moneyman · Oct 27, 2023

Thanks for the suggestion but like those are still like a hundred bucks. Is that just the norm? Because then I will just drive all the way to fish stores.

UMALUM · Oct 27, 2023

It really depends on what kind of coral your looking for.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Oct 27, 2023

moneyman said:
Thanks for the suggestion but like those are still like a hundred bucks. Is that just the norm? Because then I will just drive all the way to fish stores.

Considering the amount it costs a seller to properly ship coral, you're not going to find cheap frags online unless you buy a lot at once... local fish stores, or better yet local reefers, will be your best bet.

old salt reefer · Oct 27, 2023

Lazys coral house, but enough for the free shipping.
Cherry corals

Cichlid Dad · Oct 27, 2023

moneyman said:
Thanks for the suggestion but like those are still like a hundred bucks. Is that just the norm? Because then I will just drive all the way to fish stores.

Look at Facebook, craigslist and offer up. Talk with other reefers. I found one person local that has more coral growing then any lfs I've been to by far. I get large frags sometimes small colonies for a fraction of any reef store. It may take time, but you can get lucky.

SpyC · Oct 27, 2023

Use the marketplace here. Great prices for beautiful pieces. Just need tonwait until you see whatbyou like for the price you're willing to pay.

moneyman · Oct 27, 2023

Cichlid Dad said:
Look at Facebook, craigslist and offer up. Talk with other reefers. I found one person local that has more coral growing then any lfs I've been to by far. I get large frags sometimes small colonies for a fraction of any reef store. It may take time, but you can get lucky.

I have been looking at those sites. But the only problem is that I live in Wisconsin, and the market isn't big here. So most of the time I have to look for shipping options. But if you know any Wisconsin dealers, hit me up!

UMALUM · Oct 27, 2023

moneyman said:
I have been looking at those sites. But the only problem is that I live in Wisconsin, and the market isn't big here. So most of the time I have to look for shipping options. But if you know any Wisconsin dealers, hit me up!

OK let me try to help out here. @Chad Chapman you can get a box full of quality coral shipped to your door for $150. I've never used him but dudes been on here forever. It really doesn't get much cheaper than that. I take it your not looking for designer sticks so maybe give him a try and as others said stay glued to the market.

codycolina707 · Oct 27, 2023

moneyman said:
I have been looking at those sites. But the only problem is that I live in Wisconsin, and the market isn't big here. So most of the time I have to look for shipping options. But if you know any Wisconsin dealers, hit me up!

I've bought from tegridy reef on here he usually has like 30 to 40% deals going one time I got 19 corals for 150 bucks all huge frags little bit of aiptasia though just warning

Someshmuk · Oct 27, 2023

IMO online and cheap usually do not coexist for corals/fish. So far, I've only seen fishofhex sell relatively cheap corals but I haven't done any serious searching for online vendors. If your location is right and in the UK, most of the reefers here are US based so we only have experience in the US market.

Your best bet is hunting through your local reefing groups on facebook and finding the local importers. DFW, for example, has an airport that can support international freight so there are roughly 6+ importers I'm aware of with 3-4 that i've seen have very very reasonable prices.

You can also find local reefers as well who are either trading or selling their home grown frags.

LFS stores are hit or miss for me in terms of quality and cost. Usually its like 30-50$ for a frag of anything and often times their frag tanks act as "trading posts" for local reefers and are subject to a higher risk of getting pests like aptaisia or one of the harder to control algaes (bubble, cladophorisis, etc)

moneyman · Oct 27, 2023

Someshmuk said:
IMO online and cheap usually do not coexist for corals/fish. So far, I've only seen fishofhex sell relatively cheap corals but I haven't done any serious searching for online vendors. If your location is right and in the UK, most of the reefers here are US based so we only have experience in the US market.

Your best bet is hunting through your local reefing groups on facebook and finding the local importers. DFW, for example, has an airport that can support international freight so there are roughly 6+ importers I'm aware of with 3-4 that i've seen have very very reasonable prices.

You can also find local reefers as well who are either trading or selling their home grown frags.

LFS stores are hit or miss for me in terms of quality and cost. Usually its like 30-50$ for a frag of anything and often times their frag tanks act as "trading posts" for local reefers and are subject to a higher risk of getting pests like aptaisia or one of the harder to control algaes (bubble, cladophorisis, etc)

I am looking at fishofhex and I don't see any shipping prices. How much for the U.S? Also it says within 72 hours, won't it die?

JTP424 · Oct 27, 2023

I've used "Hey Dude Corals" don't know if he's still around but he's up in Wisconsin. Nice stuff last time I went there.

Someshmuk · Oct 27, 2023

moneyman said:
I am looking at fishofhex and I don't see any shipping prices. How much for the U.S? Also it says within 72 hours, won't it die?

Cost is around 50 bucks. I could see it when i do a checkout. But the specifics are here. I'm not sure where it says the 72 hours but the shipping itself is next day air.

Shipping

Coral Shipping UPS Next Day Air Early 8:30am-9:30am UPS Next Day Air 10:30am-12:30pm Rates Calculated Based On Weight FREE SHIPPING On Orders Over $300 Every Order Comes With +40 Hour Heat Pack Or Ice Depending On Weather +5ml Of Coral RX Dip or ReVive +DOA Policy (Dead On Arrival) +Dipping...

fishofhex.com

Jeremy_d · Oct 27, 2023

You're at the mercy of shipping when purchasing online, the cheapest I have seen is $25 and only because I was in the same state. As far as cheap prices, A lot of the more well known and more expensive sites are factoring in their process whether that be QT'ing, and their process after fragging like ensuring the frag survives the cut and glue and etc.. Local is the way to go if that is available to you. Sometimes going with a group to buy a colony and fragging off of it is a more economical way to get the higher end sticks as long as you have someone who has the equipment and know how to frag safely. Hope that helps

nuxx · Oct 27, 2023

I've always loved Unique!

We also have some really nice stuff, but I still need to break out the "named" corals out, right now they're all just in "Acropora" for example... if only there were a lot more hours in a day lol

thomas_neil · Oct 27, 2023

Never bought from them but Coral Cheap Skates is extremely cheap. Looks like very small frags but will grow out over time if you're not looking for insta reef. Not sure on quality, returns, DOA policy, or shipping.