LFS vs Online for starting livestock

New to all this, got my 90 gal starting to cycle w mostly baserock, a little liverock and fully live sand (still in the tank from previous owner).

Thinking ahead does anyone have a plan on adding in a cleanup crew / one or two fish from online vs LFS? My LFS is great for advice and help but I paid 2x for the salt and rock and livestock is like 3x what I see it for at decent places online.

But of course buying a little bit online hits you on the shipping...

 

Buy on line when possible if you're paying that much more at the LFS.

MarineDepot.com, Liveaquaria.com.......

For your clean up crew ReefCleaners.org.

Personally I would not stock any fish until the cycle is complete.

Shop wisely and research first, try to avoid stocking suggestions provided by the LFS until you have had a chance to throughly research it. They are a business and may encourage you to buy supplements and other items you just do not need.

 

Try to keep a list going, with a tank that size you will need to be buying products to maintain it properly. Join the mailing list of the sites and you will get emails with deals which sometimes include free shipping. Most sites have free shipping after you spend a certain amount, so keep a list going and time it just right and you will be able to get good deals/free shipping on stuff you need.

 

Reef Cleaners is the best for CuC; you get a cleaner pack tailored to your tank, not a generic "xx per gallon" where the numbers are ridiculous and many of them eventually starve or become opportunistic to prevent starvation.

As for fish, I prefer to buy from my LFS where I can inspect specimens and watch them eat. Also, IMHO, shipped fish have a greater chance for stress-related ailments, regardless whether or not they were QTed at the warehouse.

 

Either way I highly suggest a quarantine tank for all your live stock but especially if you're purchasing online. Need a good place to acclimate and allow for recovery from shipping stress.

 

I have gotten some great stuff from Reefs2Go.com. A little slow on processing orders, but they are shipped well and arrived in great shape. I can't speak so highly of reefcleaners.org. Ordered 17 crabs and all of them were DOA (only in packaging for 16 hrs), half of my Nerites died too. The cerith snails and Nassarius snails are doing great.

Whenever purchasing fish, regardless of online or LFS they should be QTed for month minimum.

 

Yeah, I understand that you want to support your LFS. I try to pick up a few things at mine even though I know they are more expensive. When they get in a really delicate coral I'll pay a little more to not worry about it being shipped from online. Bottom line is this hobby is expensive and where ever you can save a few $$$ you are pretty much forced to choose.

 

Craigslist- local, and local reef society is where I get most all my stuff.

Just picked up a like new 180g, already has some holes drilled- $200

I began my equipment purchase from CL.

Now, knowing felllow reefers close to me, I have bought, SOLD, and traded things quite often.

Welcome to 3Reef, and good luck

Look up Quarantine tanks also for new livestock

 

Unfortunately craigslist here sucks, mostly I just buy from Alex...

BRS on top of the ones Cheryl suggested

Since we only have one reef store here in town I order from liveaquaria and Ibluewater (quarantines and really high quality stock)