Good online source for aquarium fish, plants, and supplies?
May 21, 2010 9:31 AM Subscribe
What is the best online store in the US to buy aquarium fish, plants, and supplies from?
I am in a small town in the USA and do not have access to great pet shops, and I want to set up a big aquarium--probably 55 or 75 gallons. (I had such an aquarium 10 years ago, when I was living in a bigger city.) My vision is to have colorful tropical freshwater fish--a basic community tank--with natural plants. I know there are online sources for buying fish and plants, but I have never used them. Can you recommend any suppliers that you have had good luck with? I know there is always some risk of getting unhealthy fish and plants, even from a good supplier, but I want to minimize my risk. Thanks!
I am in a small town in the USA and do not have access to great pet shops, and I want to set up a big aquarium--probably 55 or 75 gallons. (I had such an aquarium 10 years ago, when I was living in a bigger city.) My vision is to have colorful tropical freshwater fish--a basic community tank--with natural plants. I know there are online sources for buying fish and plants, but I have never used them. Can you recommend any suppliers that you have had good luck with? I know there is always some risk of getting unhealthy fish and plants, even from a good supplier, but I want to minimize my risk. Thanks!
other places you might want to look, Aquabid, it's like ebay for fish. good for rare, hard to get stuff. Aquariumguys.com has good prices on supplies, I've orders a few filter parts from them.
posted by jrishel at 10:11 AM on May 21, 2010
posted by jrishel at 10:11 AM on May 21, 2010
For plants, I'd strongly recommend buying from people on forums. You'll probably get a way better deal and selection than from the stores. I once got a box packed with enough plants to fill a 29g and 10g tank for $14. TPT and APC are two sites I've used, both with great success.
As for supplies, I've had good luck with F&S and Big Al's.
posted by Tu13es at 10:21 AM on May 21, 2010
As for supplies, I've had good luck with F&S and Big Al's.
posted by Tu13es at 10:21 AM on May 21, 2010
I'm a repeat customer of Liveaquaria.com, for both freshwater fish and plants. The fish and plants both come with a 14 day guarantee, which is a hell of a lot more than my LFS gives. They have a pretty broad selection of fish. Only once did the plants I ordered come with snails, the rest of the time the plants have been snail-free. (Snails are not a problem for me anyway, as the clown loaches gobble them up like tasty tasty snacks.)
I have heard good things about Aquabid but have never used them.
Seconding Big Al's for supplies. I've also used Drs Foster & Smith (they are affiliate with LiveAquaria) but prices tend to be better at Big Al's.
posted by ambrosia at 12:07 PM on May 21, 2010
I have heard good things about Aquabid but have never used them.
Seconding Big Al's for supplies. I've also used Drs Foster & Smith (they are affiliate with LiveAquaria) but prices tend to be better at Big Al's.
posted by ambrosia at 12:07 PM on May 21, 2010
Aquabid.com is nice for auctions. Plantgeek.net is a good forum for tips and exchanging plants with other hobbyists . I buy my plants from aquabotanic and aquariumplants.com and have been happy with both. Drs Foster and Smith is nice for general supplies.
posted by gilsonal at 1:30 PM on May 21, 2010
posted by gilsonal at 1:30 PM on May 21, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
AquariumFish.net is run by the brothers who do the podast Pet Fish Talk and they seem to have very satisfied customers and a very good system to ensure fish are well conditioned before overnight shipping them to you.
I wouldn't worry about ordering from either of these stores.
posted by jrishel at 10:03 AM on May 21, 2010