Our online industry

[MoMoTheMonster]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[VintageReefer]

Tidal gardens has accurate pics

https://vividaquariums.com/collections/wysiwyg

I’ve spoke to the owner of Vivid and he insists they give accurate photos. I bought 4 Goni and a millepora and they all looked just like the website photos

 

[Ocean_Queenie]

Hello & Welcome to R2R!

 

[PharmrJohn]

I've heard similar complaints from others. Now, I plan on driving at least 40 minutes to a local LFS to grab my corals. There may be a time whereby I take a chance, but it will be an exception to the rule rather than the rule itself.

Also, Greetings and Welcome to our collective obsession!!!!

 

[PharmrJohn]

Here is a recent thread on Coral Vendors. Just copy and paste into R2R search engine.

What online coral store do you recommend?​

 

[Jimbhoy13]

 

[Pntbll687]

Hello fellow reefer
I have a 115 gallon tank. With no LFS I am left to buying my coral online. I find it very frustrating that vendors post what look like awesome coral using unrealistic lighting. This is a common practice and has, in my case, resulted in being very disappointed when I receive the coral. One recent purchase was so different that I was convinced it wasn’t the same coral. IMO if a vendor, upon request, refuses to provide a picture under true colors then don’t purchase. I am tired of wasting my hard earn money on awful looking coral. Or better let voice your concern and try and push vendors to stop this practice. I did find a vendor who is happy to provide true color photos on request.

As someone who has a coral business, and sells at trade shows, I AGREE WITH YOU 100%!!

Couple things to look for in online pictures
1) frag plug - if it's ceramic it should be white/tan in color. I don't know of anyone who sells blue/purple frag plugs
2) egg crate or frag rack - if it's black, it should look black, same with white
3) hands - some sellers like to "twirl" torches to get some good pics (which is ok by me, if there is multiple colors in it, I'd want to show it in pictures), but their hands should look true, not painted blue/purple.

Here’s couple pictures that I have posted
Black racks, white/tan plugs, real corals

 

[VintageReefer]

As someone who has a coral business, and sells at trade shows, I AGREE WITH YOU 100%!!

Couple things to look for in online pictures
1) frag plug - if it's ceramic it should be white/tan in color. I don't know of anyone who sells blue/purple frag plugs
2) egg crate or frag rack - if it's black, it should look black, same with white
3) hands - some sellers like to "twirl" torches to get some good pics (which is ok by me, if there is multiple colors in it, I'd want to show it in pictures), but their hands should look true, not painted blue/purple.

Here’s couple pictures that I have posted
Black racks, white/tan plugs, real corals

And this all looks healthy and colorful. No editing needed

 

[william Lutman]

Hello fellow reefer
I have a 115 gallon tank. With no LFS I am left to buying my coral online. I find it very frustrating that vendors post what look like awesome coral using unrealistic lighting. This is a common practice and has, in my case, resulted in being very disappointed when I receive the coral. One recent purchase was so different that I was convinced it wasn’t the same coral. IMO if a vendor, upon request, refuses to provide a picture under true colors then don’t purchase. I am tired of wasting my hard earn money on awful looking coral. Or better let voice your concern and try and push vendors to stop this practice. I did find a vendor who is happy to provide true color photos on request.

I'm convinced I have not always gotten the wysiwyg frag I bought. I just wish bad juju to anyone who rips me off and move on.

 

[VintageReefer]

I'm convinced I have not always gotten the wysiwyg frag I bought. I just wish bad juju to anyone who rips me off and move on.

Definitly has happened to me. Color being different is hard prove. They can just blame your light/system.

But I have bought wysiwyg and got things with the wrong number of heads/polyps. That’s easier to prove

 

[CoralB]

Welcome !!!

 

[NanoNana]

Welcome to r2r. Agreed this is a trend that shouldn’t be trending. Tidal Gardens and Living Reef Orlando have never disappointed me. Top Shelf Aquatics has been good as well. JF represents well. There is always going to be some difference because of lighting differences. But I’ve gotten some corals that I can’t even recognize from pics. I’ve actually had pretty good luck on ebay

 

[zheka757]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Brisk]

Welcome!

 

[shakacuz]

welcome aboard the r2r board. hello from PA!

 

[Shnetts]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[phillyb614]

 

[kvansloo]

Hello, and welcome.

 

[gnarlydudecory]

Welcome

 

[Dragen Fiend]

This is why I buy from only certain vendors when it comes to certain corals. Should be standard practice to take pictures in multiple light conditions to get a better idea.