Ordering online

**Limming** · 02-02-2013, 04:19 AM

I'm looking at getting a large group of tetra for a new tank I'm planning but my LFS has a poor selection. Having never ordered online before what are some stores people have had good experiences with? What are some good things to look for when looking online?

**steeler58** · 02-02-2013, 05:07 AM

Lady Hobbs put together a good list of places right above us http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...ad.php?t=99486. Please read the reviews about each and see which site might work best for you.

**Limming** · 02-02-2013, 05:36 AM

Awesome. Some how I missed that sticky haha.

**korith** · 02-02-2013, 06:47 AM

Whatever online store you end up ordering from find out what sort of live arrival guarantee they have. Some will not guarantee live delivery unless you pay for overnight shipping or if package is left on the doorstep. Some will only cover dead on arrival if you notify them within X number of hours after delivery with a picture. It's a good way to protect both the buyer and seller. Always good to know how a place handles this. Keep in mind in winter shipping costs will probably be higher, since packages will need to be delivered quicker and need heat packs. Can check out aquabid.com, a site where hobbyists sell to one another. Also their forum will probably be a good source of info for reviews of online shops.

**Drumachine09** · 02-02-2013, 09:58 AM

Liveaquaria.com is a fantastic site. I have ordered many fish and inverts from them, and they have a great warrenty. Their customer service is also fantastic. A few years ago, I ordered a light for a 10g reef, and when I got it, it wouldn't work. I thought it was the bulb, so they overnighted two $50 bulbs free of charge. When the new bulbs didn't work, they sent me a ballast for the light. It ended up being the ballast, they apologized, and told me to keep the extra bulbs. Fantastic company, and I have been using them ever since.

**Lady Hobbs** · 02-02-2013, 10:57 AM

If you are thinking of ordering fish for just a 20 gallon tank, they will be expensive fish. Shipping will be around $35 if you get 50 fish or 5. I will be placing an order, as well, but it will be to stock 4 tanks. That's the only way to absorb the shipping costs.

Neons are sold very, very small but to be honest, within two weeks, they have filled out and colored up and it's hard to tell the newbies from the former ones. I would put new ones in a quarantine tank for two weeks tho.

**Limming** · 02-02-2013, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

If you are thinking of ordering fish for just a 20 gallon tank, they will be expensive fish. Shipping will be around $35 if you get 50 fish or 5. I will be placing an order, as well, but it will be to stock 4 tanks. That's the only way to absorb the shipping costs.

Neons are sold very, very small but to be honest, within two weeks, they have filled out and colored up and it's hard to tell the newbies from the former ones. I would put new ones in a quarantine tank for two weeks tho.

It's not for my 20 gallon I'm in the early stages of planning out a larger 30 or 40 gallon. Won't be doing this till maybe next fall.
Drummachine: Thanks for the review I'd decided to go with Liveaquaria good to know they are a good company.

**Drumachine09** · 02-02-2013, 02:27 PM

Good to hear. They are a great company and you won't be dissapointed.

Also EMAW.

**Indian Woods Angels** · 02-02-2013, 09:59 PM

I sell on aqua bid and I ship From around April 1 st to November 1 st or so. I ship priority in a small box which can fit (9) 1 inch fish. The shipping is $20 including the packaging. They arrive in two or three days. I ship some fairly sensitive specimens this way and I have shipped full sized pairs of angels this way as well.

**Limming** · 02-03-2013, 02:09 AM

Originally Posted by Drumachine09

Good to hear. They are a great company and you won't be dissapointed.

Also EMAW.

Great to see another wildcat!

Indian: Like I said I won't be doing this for awhile and I'll see what your stock is when I'm ready to stock. I like buying from people I know take good care of the fish.