Goodbye Live Aquaria - Page 2

ClownReef® · 09/23/2019, 01:02 PM

Happy to see I wasn't the only one.

ThRoewer · 09/23/2019, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

Good point, D-Nak. When considering the shipping cost, plus the cost of meds to keep mail order fish alive, the LFS looks better than ever.

I also know that lots of folks are having no problems with Live Aquaria. If you're OK with the changes and condition of the fish, you should stick with them, and enjoy.

For the last year or so, I've had several LA orders with DOAs and sick fish that died within days. Having the guarantee made it a little easier to live with. Lately, I find I care less about the cost and more about being able to keep fish alive. On my last LA order, I ended up spending more on the meds than the fish. With the policy changes, it's no longer worth the risk, to me at least.

What I can find locally I buy locally. I'm quite picky with my fish and like to see them before I buy them, not just seeing a picture but see how they act and behave. Problem is that, despite having a couple of good LFS here, not everything can be found here. So some things got to be mail order

Michael Hoaster · 09/23/2019, 02:05 PM

That sounds like the way to go, ThRoewer. I'll give my LFS the first shot at my business, and fill the gaps with online stores.

alton · 09/24/2019, 05:07 AM

I was happy to see the change from a few months to use my credit to a year from the date of issued credit. I liked the original credit back to my card, and the $99 min. free shipping. But at the end of the day they are matching what is out there as far as their competition. Like most have stated I am watching and ordering more from my LFS. Sorry about the crappy picture but I picked up this awesome male Pintail for $80

lespaul339 · 09/25/2019, 01:20 PM

I've had problems with LA for quite awhile now. They used to be my favorite place to order fish from. But anymore the fish were always showing up sick or diseased. Sometimes I swear they threw a dead fish in a bag just to complete an order. The way some of those arrived, there was no way they were alive when they bagged them judging by the looks of the fish. It got to the point where nothing was making it past quarantine. I've had a few problems with their customer service being rude as well. I no longer do business with them. I've started buying my fish from local fish stores and have less problems and the fish seem way more healthy.

pmaloy · 09/25/2019, 02:37 PM

I'm going to chip in my experience, even thought it's mostly been said already. I made 3 orders each with 10 blue/green chromis. Out of those 30 fish about half were DOA, and at the end of it only 1 survived QT to make it into the DT. After the first 2 orders I thought maybe they were killing each other off, so the third order I kept them all separated, and they still died. The first two orders were still under the refund system, and the last was the store credit. While the refund was nice, but it doesn't refund the shipping costs. Overnight shipping + the adder to deliver on Saturday (cuz I'm not taking a day off work to wait around for UPS) it adds up, and I got tired of paying that too

nigeldcat · 09/26/2019, 11:28 PM

I quit buying Liveaquaria stuff and only bought Divers Den stuff when Petco purchased them. If you don't have a quality LFS then I think DD is still a good option. Petco destroyed Drs. Foster and Smith and I won't even got to Petco anymore. The last time I went to Petco I needed some frozen fish food. I walked in and their frozen food delivery had arrived about five hours earlier and was still on the floor outside the freezer completely defrosted and at room temp. I am sure they eventually put it back in the freezer after setting out all day.
My LFS were hit or miss for years but loving my latest in PDX. I am supporting local as my latest is way more conscientious and I prefer seeing stock and keeping transfer stress low.

Dmorty217 · 09/27/2019, 06:50 PM

The price of fish is also going up... a juv emperor use to cost $89, now $119

dadnjesse · 09/27/2019, 08:38 PM

I just purchased these on 9/25 everything showed up at my door 9/26 by 10am ,Purple Dottyback, 2 Kaudern's Cardinalfish, 4 Blue/Green Reef Chromis,
3 Emerald Crabs, 25 Banded Trochus Snails. Everything is doing well I have not lost a single fish

albano · 09/27/2019, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadnjesse

I just purchased these on 9/25 everything showed up at my door 9/26 by 10am...

And is your ‘new’ discount code for September or October?

dadnjesse · 09/28/2019, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albano

And is your ‘new’ discount code for September or October?

What discount code?

dadnjesse · 09/28/2019, 07:43 AM

I did lose one Chromis when I got up this morning.

albano · 09/28/2019, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadnjesse

What discount code?

In your shipping box, should have been paperwork with a 5”x7” 15%off coupon...

dadnjesse · 09/28/2019, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albano

In your shipping box, should have been paperwork with a 5”x7” 15%off coupon...

Ok sorry, I was taking my recyclables when it showed up so I just took all my paper and cardboard I didn't pay attention.

biecacka · 09/28/2019, 10:23 AM

My issue is that lately my LFS has had a not so good record with fish. I haven’t bought any but a lot of ppl I know locally have bought from them and they loose them at a higher rate on top of paying more. It’s quite the conundrum for most.

Corey

pisces 12 · 09/30/2019, 09:28 PM

I also had a bad experience with them ordered a green singularst and it was all bent over after a few days same thing, i paid 95.00 then it starting to go brown they would do absolutely nothing, there's two many good online stores that stand by there product for me one and done your out i take my money else were

albano · 10/01/2019, 10:23 PM

Just read that there is now an add’l box charge, even with ‘free’ shipping, as well as add’l charges if your order is from more than 1 shipping location!

D-Nak · 10/01/2019, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albano

Just read that there is now an add’l box charge, even with ‘free’ shipping, as well as add’l charges if your order is from more than 1 shipping location!

Yes -- it's a $9.99 "box charge" which is new. And I remember them saying that nothing would change.

Dmorty217 · 10/02/2019, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albano

Just read that there is now an add’l box charge, even with ‘free’ shipping, as well as add’l charges if your order is from more than 1 shipping location!

So potentially you could have 4 different charges from them now... 3 different location charges (quality marine, divers den,ORA) plus a box charge, shipping minimum went up, the price of fish has gone up on nearly all fish, and credit back... so nice to see the people at petco putting their mark on LiveAquaria

AlexS95 · 10/02/2019, 03:38 PM

https://imgur.com/2mf8IoL

I placed an order that had stuff coming from LA, DD, and ORA/FL. I got charged one box charge of $9.99

ThRoewer · 10/02/2019, 04:37 PM

They also seem to have problems now to properly identify the specimen they sell on Diver's Den:

https://www.liveaquaria.com/divers-d...-banded-shrimp

That is clearly a Stenopus zanzibaricus from the indian ocean and not Stenopus scutellatus from the Caribbean.

Fish559 · 10/03/2019, 11:46 AM

Yeah, I'm bummed. No more refunds (just store credit), box charges in addition to shipping, free shipping at $149, not $99.

They were the gold standard. Loved the security of the guaranty. DD still looks to have good stuff...

AlexS95 · 10/04/2019, 05:09 PM

The order I got had a 15% code... '2SAVE15'. Good through 11/30/19.

ThRoewer · 10/04/2019, 06:58 PM

My last order had 2 bluestripe pipefish, shipped from Quality Marine. One of them was so emaciated and weak that it was dead in the evening. It was quite obvious that this fish had zero chance surviving being shipped. It seems to me like it was thrown in to get rid of a moribund fish and still make a buck or at least generate a followup order...

Oh, and the discount code I got in the box was still the September code, yet the order was shipped on October 1st for delivery the next day.

They seriously need to rethink what they are doing or they gonna lose customers.

ThRoewer · 10/10/2019, 11:02 PM

Another change/new restriction I just noticed:
"We guarantee that ALL aquaria species we offer will arrive alive and in good condition. However, because of the increased level of care required for this particular species, it has been designated as "Expert Only." This species is recommended only for the expert aquarist, zoo, or research institution. “Expert Only” aquatic life is exempt from our extended guarantee after their arrival."

09/23/2019, 01:02 PM	#26
ClownReef® Bubbletrousing Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,872	Happy to see I wasn't the only one. __________________ Waterbox Peninsula 5526 l Ecotech Radion XR30w G4 l Ecotech Vectra M1 l MP40QDW l Vertex Omega 180i l Tunze ATO l Apex Fusion l DOS l Trident l Ice Cap Scrubber

09/23/2019, 02:05 PM	#28
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	That sounds like the way to go, ThRoewer. I'll give my LFS the first shot at my business, and fill the gaps with online stores. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

09/25/2019, 01:20 PM	#30
lespaul339 Reefer Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 903	I've had problems with LA for quite awhile now. They used to be my favorite place to order fish from. But anymore the fish were always showing up sick or diseased. Sometimes I swear they threw a dead fish in a bag just to complete an order. The way some of those arrived, there was no way they were alive when they bagged them judging by the looks of the fish. It got to the point where nothing was making it past quarantine. I've had a few problems with their customer service being rude as well. I no longer do business with them. I've started buying my fish from local fish stores and have less problems and the fish seem way more healthy. __________________ Reefer Madness! Current Tank Info: 60x24x24 150 gallon reef, 55 gallon sump.

09/25/2019, 02:37 PM	#31
pmaloy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 24	I'm going to chip in my experience, even thought it's mostly been said already. I made 3 orders each with 10 blue/green chromis. Out of those 30 fish about half were DOA, and at the end of it only 1 survived QT to make it into the DT. After the first 2 orders I thought maybe they were killing each other off, so the third order I kept them all separated, and they still died. The first two orders were still under the refund system, and the last was the store credit. While the refund was nice, but it doesn't refund the shipping costs. Overnight shipping + the adder to deliver on Saturday (cuz I'm not taking a day off work to wait around for UPS) it adds up, and I got tired of paying that too __________________ DT: 225 gal, 1 pin cushion urchin, 1 pistol shrimp, 1 orange spotted goby, 4 blue/green chromis, 2 cleaner shrimp, 2 nassasius snails, 2 trochus snails. QT: 29 gal, empty Current Tank Info: 225 Gallon, Currently have 1 pin cushion urchin (named Henry), 2 cleaner shrimp, 1 pistol shrimp (named Pistol"), 1 orange spotted goby, 4 blue/green chromis, nassarius snails, and trochus snails

09/26/2019, 11:28 PM	#32
nigeldcat Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 73	I quit buying Liveaquaria stuff and only bought Divers Den stuff when Petco purchased them. If you don't have a quality LFS then I think DD is still a good option. Petco destroyed Drs. Foster and Smith and I won't even got to Petco anymore. The last time I went to Petco I needed some frozen fish food. I walked in and their frozen food delivery had arrived about five hours earlier and was still on the floor outside the freezer completely defrosted and at room temp. I am sure they eventually put it back in the freezer after setting out all day. My LFS were hit or miss for years but loving my latest in PDX. I am supporting local as my latest is way more conscientious and I prefer seeing stock and keeping transfer stress low. __________________ Current Tank: 150G (72"x18"x28") Fish with Live Rock and a few Softies Apex AquaController - Maxspect Razors Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon FOWLR

09/27/2019, 06:50 PM	#33
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	The price of fish is also going up... a juv emperor use to cost $89, now $119 __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

09/27/2019, 08:38 PM	#34
dadnjesse Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Raymond NH Posts: 210	I just purchased these on 9/25 everything showed up at my door 9/26 by 10am ,Purple Dottyback, 2 Kaudern's Cardinalfish, 4 Blue/Green Reef Chromis, 3 Emerald Crabs, 25 Banded Trochus Snails. Everything is doing well I have not lost a single fish

09/28/2019, 07:43 AM	#37
dadnjesse Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Raymond NH Posts: 210	I did lose one Chromis when I got up this morning.

09/28/2019, 10:23 AM	#40
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	My issue is that lately my LFS has had a not so good record with fish. I haven’t bought any but a lot of ppl I know locally have bought from them and they loose them at a higher rate on top of paying more. It’s quite the conundrum for most. Corey

09/30/2019, 09:28 PM	#41
pisces 12 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: mineola , L ,I N.Y Posts: 94	I also had a bad experience with them ordered a green singularst and it was all bent over after a few days same thing, i paid 95.00 then it starting to go brown they would do absolutely nothing, there's two many good online stores that stand by there product for me one and done your out i take my money else were

10/01/2019, 10:23 PM	#42
albano SALTWATER since '73 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Katonah, NY/ San Fernando Ca./ Sea Isle City NJ Posts: 6,210	Just read that there is now an add’l box charge, even with ‘free’ shipping, as well as add’l charges if your order is from more than 1 shipping location! __________________ ______________________________________ Jan. '11 TOTM Manhattan Reefs Current Tank Info: 500g & 200g acrylic DTs/2 separate reef systems

10/02/2019, 03:38 PM	#45
AlexS95 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Brandon, FL Posts: 1,065	https://imgur.com/2mf8IoL I placed an order that had stuff coming from LA, DD, and ORA/FL. I got charged one box charge of $9.99

10/03/2019, 11:46 AM	#47
Fish559 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 129	Yeah, I'm bummed. No more refunds (just store credit), box charges in addition to shipping, free shipping at $149, not $99. They were the gold standard. Loved the security of the guaranty. DD still looks to have good stuff...

10/04/2019, 05:09 PM	#48
AlexS95 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Brandon, FL Posts: 1,065	The order I got had a 15% code... '2SAVE15'. Good through 11/30/19.

10/04/2019, 06:58 PM	#49
ThRoewer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 9,555	My last order had 2 bluestripe pipefish, shipped from Quality Marine. One of them was so emaciated and weak that it was dead in the evening. It was quite obvious that this fish had zero chance surviving being shipped. It seems to me like it was thrown in to get rid of a moribund fish and still make a buck or at least generate a followup order... Oh, and the discount code I got in the box was still the September code, yet the order was shipped on October 1st for delivery the next day. They seriously need to rethink what they are doing or they gonna lose customers. __________________ Pairs: 4 percula, 3 P. kauderni, 3 D. excisus, 1 ea of P. diacanthus, S. splendidus, C. altivelis O. rosenblatti, D. janssi, S. yasha & a Gramma loreto trio 3 P. diacanthus. 2 C. starcki Current Tank Info: 200 gal 4 tank system (40x28x24 + 40B + 40B sump tank + 20g refugium) + 30x18x18 mixed reef + 20g East Pacific biotop + 20g FW +...

10/10/2019, 11:02 PM	#50
ThRoewer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 9,555	Another change/new restriction I just noticed: "We guarantee that ALL aquaria species we offer will arrive alive and in good condition. However, because of the increased level of care required for this particular species, it has been designated as "Expert Only." This species is recommended only for the expert aquarist, zoo, or research institution. “Expert Only” aquatic life is exempt from our extended guarantee after their arrival." __________________ Pairs: 4 percula, 3 P. kauderni, 3 D. excisus, 1 ea of P. diacanthus, S. splendidus, C. altivelis O. rosenblatti, D. janssi, S. yasha & a Gramma loreto trio 3 P. diacanthus. 2 C. starcki Current Tank Info: 200 gal 4 tank system (40x28x24 + 40B + 40B sump tank + 20g refugium) + 30x18x18 mixed reef + 20g East Pacific biotop + 20g FW +...