GARF (Geothermal Aquaculture Research Foundation)

psychofishy · 03/13/2008, 12:33 PM

http://www.garf.org/

I've been checking that site out for a couple times, and it looks like they have quite some interesting things to offer..

Has anyone ever dealt with them before? ordered stuff? How on earth do you order corals? how can you see what they have available?

The site's a mess!... But it's got great info and articles all over it..

wish they had created a site-map or decent navigation menu

Piazzon12 · 03/13/2008, 12:46 PM

yeah, I've been there, and agree with all of your comments on their site. Good info, terrible design.

As far as ordering, I did place an order when I just got started. I ordered a cleanup crew and grunge that I was happy with (good sized snails and crabs). However it's impossible to get someone on the phone to order, or provide any customer service.

psychofishy · 03/13/2008, 12:59 PM

I'm considering getting some of that GARF Grunge stuff..... It couldn't hurt for my 90 gallon.

Kent E · 03/13/2008, 01:02 PM

Why pay for grunge when you can get it from a neighbors tank? just a thought, no biggie if you wanted to get it anyway.

psychofishy · 03/13/2008, 01:12 PM

well, I already have Live Sand (the wet kind).. And if they're "good & reliable" i'd probably order some zoanthids anyways... meaning i might as well throw in 5 bucks and get some grunge to add some more life to the tank

RyanM · 03/13/2008, 01:25 PM

I ordered some of the so called grunge about 2 years ago. I was not impressed at all. I wouldnt order it again. I ended up puting most of it in my refuge after seeing it and then desided I didnt even want it there so after it was all said and done I sucked it all out. Was a waste IMO

psychofishy · 03/13/2008, 01:36 PM

I c.... alright. thats clear.

How about their corals? is there a list somewhere on the site that i'm overlooking ?

daveverdo · 03/13/2008, 02:11 PM

I ordered some grunge like stuff from Premium Aquatics (Rock Pool Bottom Crude, $1.50/lb) and it was full of visible life.

I also plan to place an order with Reeftopia in a bout two weeks. If you want snails and crabs in larger quanitities they have some great deals. I mentioned an order on the Southern Tier forum and there are some other interested aquarist joining together for a group order. Things like Cerith snails at $75 per 100 or Turbo snails $48 per 100 or Peppermint Shrimp $2 each if you buy 24.

It is probably not worth getting in with us unless you get down to Corning area, but you may want to see if anyone up your way wants to get in on a group order.

Dave

doryarlin955 · 03/13/2008, 04:07 PM

I would be in on the order so long as there's other people in Rochester that are in too.

sumae · 03/14/2008, 05:46 AM

I have several times ordered from GARF. I have ordered gorgonians and zoos. I love their corals but I HATE there ordering system. When they do respond they are great, will spend time describing what they have in stock and answer any of your questions. I ordered my arch in my tank from them and talked to Leroy who promised me a large arch that would fit my tank. Well a week later I received my arch and it was half the size I ordered.
I ordered by pound and paid for 30 lbs. The arch I received weighed 15 lbs. I was mad. I knew it would take time to get through to them so I waited a day or so. Two days later I received another package from them with a arch at 17 lbs!
Apparately the arch Leroy wanted was gone so he picked me two really nice ones to make up for it. I was totally pleased and I like the look better with two.
Their corals come packed well and are in plugs and growing nicely.
I am considering ordering again soon.
My opinion.

03/13/2008, 12:33 PM	#1
psychofishy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rindge, NH Posts: 1,041	GARF (Geothermal Aquaculture Research Foundation) http://www.garf.org/ I've been checking that site out for a couple times, and it looks like they have quite some interesting things to offer.. Has anyone ever dealt with them before? ordered stuff? How on earth do you order corals? how can you see what they have available? The site's a mess!... But it's got great info and articles all over it.. wish they had created a site-map or decent navigation menu

03/13/2008, 12:46 PM	#2
Piazzon12 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Endicott, NY Posts: 1,803	yeah, I've been there, and agree with all of your comments on their site. Good info, terrible design. As far as ordering, I did place an order when I just got started. I ordered a cleanup crew and grunge that I was happy with (good sized snails and crabs). However it's impossible to get someone on the phone to order, or provide any customer service. __________________ Adam

03/13/2008, 01:02 PM	#4
Kent E One Millionth Poster Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Asheboro NC Posts: 4,273	Why pay for grunge when you can get it from a neighbors tank? just a thought, no biggie if you wanted to get it anyway. __________________ 1000 gallon Current Tank Info: Dreaming up a new one

03/13/2008, 01:25 PM	#6
RyanM Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Owego Ny. Posts: 677	I ordered some of the so called grunge about 2 years ago. I was not impressed at all. I wouldnt order it again. I ended up puting most of it in my refuge after seeing it and then desided I didnt even want it there so after it was all said and done I sucked it all out. Was a waste IMO __________________ Imagine all the people living life in peace. "John Lennon" Current Tank Info: 120 reef 3x250wMH Octopus NW-200 Skimmer

03/14/2008, 05:46 AM	#10
sumae Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Rochester Posts: 468	I have several times ordered from GARF. I have ordered gorgonians and zoos. I love their corals but I HATE there ordering system. When they do respond they are great, will spend time describing what they have in stock and answer any of your questions. I ordered my arch in my tank from them and talked to Leroy who promised me a large arch that would fit my tank. Well a week later I received my arch and it was half the size I ordered. I ordered by pound and paid for 30 lbs. The arch I received weighed 15 lbs. I was mad. I knew it would take time to get through to them so I waited a day or so. Two days later I received another package from them with a arch at 17 lbs! Apparately the arch Leroy wanted was gone so he picked me two really nice ones to make up for it. I was totally pleased and I like the look better with two. Their corals come packed well and are in plugs and growing nicely. I am considering ordering again soon. My opinion. __________________ Sumae MARVELING AT GOD'S IMAGINATION Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon RR with mostly softies.

03/13/2008, 12:59 PM	#3
psychofishy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rindge, NH Posts: 1,041	I'm considering getting some of that GARF Grunge stuff..... It couldn't hurt for my 90 gallon.

03/13/2008, 01:12 PM	#5
psychofishy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rindge, NH Posts: 1,041	well, I already have Live Sand (the wet kind).. And if they're "good & reliable" i'd probably order some zoanthids anyways... meaning i might as well throw in 5 bucks and get some grunge to add some more life to the tank

03/13/2008, 01:36 PM	#7
psychofishy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rindge, NH Posts: 1,041	I c.... alright. thats clear. How about their corals? is there a list somewhere on the site that i'm overlooking ?

03/13/2008, 02:11 PM	#8
daveverdo Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Horseheads, NY Posts: 1,881	I ordered some grunge like stuff from Premium Aquatics (Rock Pool Bottom Crude, $1.50/lb) and it was full of visible life. I also plan to place an order with Reeftopia in a bout two weeks. If you want snails and crabs in larger quanitities they have some great deals. I mentioned an order on the Southern Tier forum and there are some other interested aquarist joining together for a group order. Things like Cerith snails at $75 per 100 or Turbo snails $48 per 100 or Peppermint Shrimp $2 each if you buy 24. It is probably not worth getting in with us unless you get down to Corning area, but you may want to see if anyone up your way wants to get in on a group order. Dave

03/13/2008, 04:07 PM	#9
doryarlin955 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Greece, NY Posts: 833	I would be in on the order so long as there's other people in Rochester that are in too.