There is a tremendous amount
of information on the Internet. And for us landlocked, out in the boonies,
100 miles to the nearest decent marine fish/coral dealer folks, there
are some great places to buy dry goods and animals, and get a good deal
too. I have availed myself of many of these resources, and have found
some very good stuff out there. The following paragraphs identify some
of the better resources that I have used. This is not an inclusive list
of everything out there, just the good ones I've personally used. Some
of these links are just links to sites that have a wealth of links;
no real need to to repeat them all here.
These are the folks that
provided me with the most useful information ever. There is always
someone there to answer even the most mundane, stupid, or whacked
question you might have.
This is a site maintained
by aquarist for aquarists. It contains all kinds of articles and how-tos.
Even a weekly chat featuring noted aquarists and biologists.
FINS, the Fish
Information Network, hosts a bunch of stuff, but probably the most
valuable is the Reef Keeper Frequently Asked Questions. You should
give it a look see.
GARF, Geothermal
Aquatic Research Foundation I think, is a good spot for coral propagation
and do-it-yourself things. The web-site is a bit of a pain, but there
are some pearls there if you are willing to dig.
Tampa Bay Saltwater
are rock farmers. They grow out and harvest live rock in Florida.
The rock is denser than any of the Pacific stuff, but it is environmentally
friendly, and they actually ship it with water. No one else that I
know of does this.
Jeff's Exotic Fish
is a great on-line vendor. High quality animals at good prices. He
is also helpful over the phone or in person. If you are setting up
your first reef, don't miss his 9-corals-for-$99. It is a great way
to get a jump start on a new tank.
Flying Fish Express
is also a great on-line dealer. The stock is high quality and the
staff is courteous. They even have a 5-day guarantee. That is hard
to beat. They also have articles by Mike Paletta and Bob
Fenner.
The folks at Aquatic
Specialists are excellent. Great store and animals, but the web
site needs a little help. Don't hold that against them. The most conscientious
employee I have ever seen in a pet store works there.
Kathy and David Smith
at Reef Encrustaceans are really sharp folks. They personally
collect most of the things they sell. They even have an acknowledgment
in Scott W. Michael's
Reef Fishes Vol 1. They invited me into their holding facilities
and spent a lot of time with me. Thank you both.
Pet Warehouse,
not Pets Warehouse, is a really good place for all kinds of marine
aquarium supplies. The prices are good and the service is excellent.
Most of my general purpose stuff comes from them.
Petstore.com is
the parent organization of Flying
Fish Express. I haven't yet ordered from them, but if the price
and quality is of the same or better caliber as Flying Fish Express,
you cant go wrong.
That Pet Place/That
Fish Place has all kinds of aquarium supplies at really good prices.
I have spent a good deal of money there and will continue to do so,
as I have yet to have a bad experience with them.
Marine Depot is
a good spot for any psuedo-speciality reef supplies. Marine Depot
does not generally deal in the bulk consumer goods and focuses more
on the mid-to-high end hobbyist supplies, including lights and filtration
and additives.
I have bought more cat
items from Pets.com than fish things. However, it is only because
of there recent appearance on the web-scape. This is a professional
outfit and they have treated me well.
I can't say that I have
dealt directly with Jen's Saltwater Haven, but Kim, the proprietor,
is an active member of the marine.reefs
newsgroup, and provides sound advice, in my opinion. I would consider
them a safe bet.
Let me say one more time
for the record, this is by no means an all-inclusive list. I am sure
that there are a thousand more of equal quality. These are the one that
I have either used, trust, or know something about.
