JohnnyM2
02/22/2007, 02:36 AM
This is a personal note to Dan at Salty Critter and a message to those of you needing live rock. In the past, I have purchased LR from Premium Aquatics with good success but this time they were moving and could not ship anything for awhile. I was in a bit of a hurry so I decided to take a chance and order from Salty Critter. I didn't like the policy of having to pre-order and then had delays due to a bad shipment (to them) followed by a tremendous cold spell. Here is my experience with the live rock I eventually received.
There were two boxes. When I opened the first, I found it to be very well packaged. I had asked for some big pieces and this box (60 lbs) had sveral large pieces with really nice color, some sponges, corals and lots of corraline. I figured the other box (55 lbs) had all the small pieces. Inside that box was 2 beautiful huge pieces. Better than what I had asked for! This was uncured rock but it was much fresher than I expected. Out of my 100 lbs, I would estimate that about 1 to 2 lbs had broken off during shipment (great rubble size fro my fuge) and there was less than a pound of useless fine rubble. I found this to be extraordinary given the sizes of the pieces. My shipment was a combination or Vanuatu and Uaniva. I lke them both and will buy some tonga branch locally to supplement since the Tonga Branch tends to break up in shipping.
I would definitely buy from SC again. The prices were quite reasonable and the rock was terrific (actually, the nicest I have purchased. Despite shipping problems (not under their control) they stayed in touch with me so I would know the situation. Kudos and thanks, Dan
There were two boxes. When I opened the first, I found it to be very well packaged. I had asked for some big pieces and this box (60 lbs) had sveral large pieces with really nice color, some sponges, corals and lots of corraline. I figured the other box (55 lbs) had all the small pieces. Inside that box was 2 beautiful huge pieces. Better than what I had asked for! This was uncured rock but it was much fresher than I expected. Out of my 100 lbs, I would estimate that about 1 to 2 lbs had broken off during shipment (great rubble size fro my fuge) and there was less than a pound of useless fine rubble. I found this to be extraordinary given the sizes of the pieces. My shipment was a combination or Vanuatu and Uaniva. I lke them both and will buy some tonga branch locally to supplement since the Tonga Branch tends to break up in shipping.
I would definitely buy from SC again. The prices were quite reasonable and the rock was terrific (actually, the nicest I have purchased. Despite shipping problems (not under their control) they stayed in touch with me so I would know the situation. Kudos and thanks, Dan