Reefing without a LFS

Jade5051 · 03/23/2020, 12:00 PM

I just picked up a 75g for $100 during Petco’s dollar per gallon sale. I’m unsure what I’m going to do with it just yet, freshwater or saltwater? I have all the equipment and experience to make either work. My main concern with a saltwater setup is I don’t have a LFS that supports saltwater. One of the LFSs here will order the saltwater fish/corals if I want them but I have to be there for pick up when it shows up. Not a huge deal but I can’t select the exact fish I want nor can I assess its health prior to selecting it, both of which I have always done. The closest store that has saltwater fish on hand is 90 minutes away. I’ve never reefed without a LFS. I’ve never bought livestock online, salt online, rocks online, etc. I’ll have to order everything online. Fish, salt, rocks, sand, medications, food, etc. I should have enough backup equipment to get me through a few days due to equipment failures. I already order almost all my equipment online. I usually rely on my LFS for consumables and livestock. Can anyone please share their experience of not having a LFS?

HumbleFish · 03/24/2020, 12:20 PM

I've lived in areas where having a LFS wasn't much of an option, and it worked out fine by ordering everything online. Just do your homework on vendors, equipment, etc. so you don't have any unpleasant surprises. Also, keep an eye out for sales and then buy in bulk (e.g. salt).

hkgar · 03/24/2020, 05:39 PM

I have an LFS within 15 minutes and buy almost everything online. They just don't even come close on price.

vlangel · 03/29/2020, 06:11 PM

I buy my salt from Chewy.com and they deliver to my door. I have it auto-shipped which is very convenient.

phc567 · 03/29/2020, 06:13 PM

Lfs are useless

HumbleFish · 03/29/2020, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phc567

Lfs are useless

Many are but not all. Whenever we move to a new place, I make the rounds to see if I can find a good LFS to support. If I don't like what I see, I only use them for emergency situations.

lionfish300 · 03/29/2020, 10:26 PM

Been reefing without LFS since 2007 when we moved to Las Cruces New Mexico. Doctor Foster and Smith and Liveaquaria were my go to

Sk8r · 03/31/2020, 11:07 AM

I'd go saltwater if you have a desire for it. I maintain a freshwater tank as well as salt, but honestly, the browns and greens predominate, and the colors are hard come by in freshwater. It's very much a personal choice, however, because a freshwater can be a thing of beauty in its own right.

mansorinc · 03/31/2020, 11:45 AM

I buy most of my stuff online, and plus you build points and get free stuff when you buy. Also most LFS can’t really compete with dry goods when it comes to the online world.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ReefsandGeeks · 04/01/2020, 11:56 AM

IMO, LFSs are best for window shopping and impulse buys. I get most of my dry goods online due to price. Most coral I buy either online, or from local hobbyists. You might be able to find a local or semi local reefing group to be part of. Might find someone who could help in case of emergencies.

03/23/2020, 12:00 PM	#1
Jade5051 That guy... Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,218	Reefing without a LFS I just picked up a 75g for $100 during Petco’s dollar per gallon sale. I’m unsure what I’m going to do with it just yet, freshwater or saltwater? I have all the equipment and experience to make either work. My main concern with a saltwater setup is I don’t have a LFS that supports saltwater. One of the LFSs here will order the saltwater fish/corals if I want them but I have to be there for pick up when it shows up. Not a huge deal but I can’t select the exact fish I want nor can I assess its health prior to selecting it, both of which I have always done. The closest store that has saltwater fish on hand is 90 minutes away. I’ve never reefed without a LFS. I’ve never bought livestock online, salt online, rocks online, etc. I’ll have to order everything online. Fish, salt, rocks, sand, medications, food, etc. I should have enough backup equipment to get me through a few days due to equipment failures. I already order almost all my equipment online. I usually rely on my LFS for consumables and livestock. Can anyone please share their experience of not having a LFS? __________________ The dream that is now a memory - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550891

03/24/2020, 05:39 PM	#3
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	I have an LFS within 15 minutes and buy almost everything online. They just don't even come close on price. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

03/29/2020, 06:11 PM	#4
vlangel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,409	I buy my salt from Chewy.com and they deliver to my door. I have it auto-shipped which is very convenient. __________________ Genesis 1:20 - Current Tank Info: A 56 gallon naural nutrient macro reef that flows into a 30 gallon fuge with macros/seagrass that flows into a 20 gallon sump.

03/29/2020, 06:13 PM	#5
phc567 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Da City by Da Bay Posts: 453	Lfs are useless __________________ Will in the Witness Protection program Current Tank Info: 300 Gal , 60 cube

03/31/2020, 11:07 AM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I'd go saltwater if you have a desire for it. I maintain a freshwater tank as well as salt, but honestly, the browns and greens predominate, and the colors are hard come by in freshwater. It's very much a personal choice, however, because a freshwater can be a thing of beauty in its own right. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

03/24/2020, 12:20 PM	#2
HumbleFish Moved On Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4,757	I've lived in areas where having a LFS wasn't much of an option, and it worked out fine by ordering everything online. Just do your homework on vendors, equipment, etc. so you don't have any unpleasant surprises. Also, keep an eye out for sales and then buy in bulk (e.g. salt).

03/29/2020, 10:26 PM	#7
lionfish300 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico Posts: 795	Been reefing without LFS since 2007 when we moved to Las Cruces New Mexico. Doctor Foster and Smith and Liveaquaria were my go to

03/31/2020, 11:45 AM	#9
mansorinc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Posts: 31	I buy most of my stuff online, and plus you build points and get free stuff when you buy. Also most LFS can’t really compete with dry goods when it comes to the online world. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

04/01/2020, 11:56 AM	#10
ReefsandGeeks Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,708	IMO, LFSs are best for window shopping and impulse buys. I get most of my dry goods online due to price. Most coral I buy either online, or from local hobbyists. You might be able to find a local or semi local reefing group to be part of. Might find someone who could help in case of emergencies.