best place to get?

[mathias]

clean up crew?

[::pete::]

This thread went so far off that it wasnt even helpful!

Here were the suggestions posted:
www.wolfreef.com
www.fragsncrabs.com
www.reeftopia.com
www.keyscritters.com

[brewercm]

Disregard

[falcondob]

Pete, you da' man.
John

[CD]

Pete - what was that link that Joshua posted? I went and looked at the site and they had some awesome pricing - especially for larger orders - but I didn't save the link, and don't remember the name.

W. :)

[NaCl_H2O]

Finally, some "information" in this thread!

[brewercm]

Is anyone else having a problem with the keyscritters link not working?

[::pete::]

Typo sorry!!

[::pete::]

It's the last one in Pete's list. Wouldn't you know the cheapest one and he puts it last.

I posted in the order they were posted. ;)

[bigdscobra]

How much is shipping for fragsncrabs i couldent find it on there site???

[CD]

How much is shipping for fragsncrabs i couldent find it on there site???


I think it depends a lot on the buyer's location. I don't remember what it was the last time we ordered something, but I remember it wasn't much. You being in SA, I'm sure it will be minimal. Don't they have a link where you can eMail them on their site? Send them an eMail with your zip code, and I'm sure they will answer promptly.

W.

[gjuarez]

hey, how did you guys do that? THanks alot, I think I am going to try frags and crabs, I have nothing but good things about them.

[NaCl_H2O]

I'll add my $0.02 for Reeftopia. I placed a big order from them before we knew about FragsandCrabs - I got a great price (BIG group order with a few others), and everything was alive.

If you can get a big group order going, and I mean REALLY BIG (600+ of each type of criter), their volume prices get VERY good.

[CD]

you can get a big group order going


Yeah...the group orders kinda seem to wane in the summer months though. We are in dire need of some more clean up critters ourselves, as all we have is what was in the 75G...plus a few more nassarius from a LFS. I've been pondering what is going to be the best possible critter to keep the sandbed stirred too...any opinions on that? I was *really* leaning towards a sand cuke, but what happens if the thing dies in your sandbed? Cukes are fairly large - body mass wise. I know they are great at keeping a sand bed clean, but if they croaked while in your DSB, that would be...well scary. I mean you wouldn't know it until the params started taking a dive, and then how would you find the body without dismantling the whole tank? We used to have a Diamond goby...he was pretty good at keeping the sandbed stirred, but they are like "little Johnny Appleseed" with the sand...it gets everywhere. Plus, we don't need any more fish. :roll

Anyway if somebody has some "recommends" on sand bed critters, I'd love to hear it, and if any of you Austin folks are interested in a group buy from one of our sponsors or the place Joshua recommended, I'd be up for it...I'd be happy to accept the delivery too, and float bags until they could be picked up. Just a thought.

W. :)

[NaCl_H2O]

Wendy, I like the combo of sand stars and sand sifting sleeper gobies to keep the sand surface stirred up a little. The yellow headed gobie was a PITA when I had sugar size sand, but with the special grade it is fine, just need to knock down the "dunes" now and then :roll

If we get a Reeftopia group order going, I might be ready for some more blue legs and assorted snails too?

[CD]

LOL...well, the goby idea is cool, but like I said - we just don't need any more fish now. You know something else weird? Our Palani tang is a digger! LOL...imagine that! She's got little "dunes" at both the entrances to her cave. I love that fish though. She's territorial, she digs, but she is getting SO pretty, and growing *really* fast now.

So as far as the sand stars go, how many would you recommend for a 210G. One? Two? We have a NICE deep SB now, so I'm thinking two. :unsure I'm hoping maybe a star or two and more nassarius would be good, plus some more of the smaller blue legs?

W. :)

[NaCl_H2O]

how many would you recommend for a 210G.
I have two in my 215g plus the gobie ... and nice purty white sand :D

[CD]

I have two in my 215g plus the gobie ... and nice purty white sand


LOL...OK, two it is - cool! But we're still "nix" on the goby. Do you think some more snails and small hermits would pick up the slack without the "goby" part? :P

W. :)

[JimD]

Hey, a good friend of mines name is wane,,, errr, wayne,,,, err,,, wain,,,, err, Dave, Im not sure... Might be Bob...

[Tim Marvin]

Go to WolfReef and support a local.

[scuba_steveo]

I could go for some Astrea & Ceriths, just don't have the resources to order alone right now.

put together a group order. you should hit the $125 min for free shipping at reeftopia very easy. I have a big order coming Wednesday otherwise I would go in with you. heck, maybe I still would.

[thedude]

Hey Wendy,

Honestly I'd just fill your tank up with nassarius and ceriths. Nassarius snails will stir the sandbed continually and the ceriths clean both sand and rock (they're my favorite hard workers). I've also found that a couple fighting conchs do wonders and keep that sandbed looking sparkly fresh.

John

[RobertG]

Pete, you da' man.
John

I'm lost! ;)

Reeftopia all the way, great pricing!

Support a Maast Sponsor!!!! @ Reeftopia!!!

:D

[Reef69]

I was at Wolf Reef yesterday and he still has a bunch of critters, he also has some sand sifting starts (they do an amazing job on your sand bed)...and ceriths and turbos...

[bigdscobra]

They said (fragsncrabs) about $12 to ship to SA if anybody wants to order let me know I could use some of the blueleg hermits they have 25 for $10 thats a steal!!!

[mkengr45]

I was just at Wolf Reef, and they had plenty of things to keep the sand bed stirred. Great deals, plenty of selection, and extremely helpfull people.

Randy

[Reef69]

Dan, if you have corals, dont get blue leg hermits, they munch on zoas and softies..just a heads up..they are like ants man..

[bigdscobra]

Really I have about 20 of them in my reef tank and they dont mess with the zoos

[thedude]

Crabs are all opportunistic feeders. If you get a good one they can still turn at any time.

[TexasTodd]

IMO keyscritters is best deal.

I'll ask Corrie about sponsoring us Steveo.

Todd

[bigdscobra]

Keyscritters if you have a order of $100 or more

Anybody looking to order stuff???????

[thedude]

By the way I was reading some stuff about KeysCritters and people were having problems getting through to them. Well, what ended up happening is in anticipation of the hurricane and the loss of power associated, they let all the livestock go! Now that's a vendor that really does care about the animals.

[CD]

Hey Wendy,

Honestly I'd just fill your tank up with nassarius and ceriths. Nassarius snails will stir the sandbed continually and the ceriths clean both sand and rock (they're my favorite hard workers). I've also found that a couple fighting conchs do wonders and keep that sandbed looking sparkly fresh.

John

Thanks, John!
We definitely need more of the ceriths and nassarius. I've never had a fighting conch in our system, but I've always wanted to try a few - sounds like they will do a good job also ;)

W. :)

[Richard]

I've never had a fighting conch in our system


They do an OK job on the surface of the sandbed but they don't stir the sandbed at all. Not as good as the big pacific nassarius or ss stars. I always put a couple in my tanks but mainly because they are pretty cool.

[CD]

they don't stir the sandbed at all


Thank you, Richard!
I think I like to try a few anyway...along with a couple of the ss stars, as I believe in keepin' that DSB stirred! Thanks again ;)

W. :)

[wkopplin]

I like the fighting conchs, but they do little to the sandbed other than the surface like Richard said, but they look cool. I got some really nice Nassarius snails from Richard @ CB Pets a while back and they were awesome. Cannot remember what they cost, but they were huge and seemed like a really good price at the time.

[alexwolf]

For arguements sake, Dan just ordered 100 astrea snails. I charged him $40 for all 100. Thats .40 each. He doesnt have to worry about being home to get the package, he just drives over when they come in. The ceriths are an amazing deal from Keys Critters, but at a volume of 100, they can go for $.65 each, which makes it $65+40=105. plus tax.

[alexwolf]

Oops, I forgot to add that yes, they sell for $.89 and 1.49 each in smaller quantities. As anything, if you buy in larger quantities, you always get a better deal.

[scuba_steveo]

100 cerith at reeftopia are only 75 (click on "lot prices") so.....

Reeftopia.com
Astrea x100 = $45
Cerith x100 = $75
Semi: $120 + Free ship/box =
Total: $120

So you still need to order one emerald or something else for $5 to get to $125

[RobertG]

Whoops, thx for the correction Steveo.

Growl , Growl, Wolf!!!!

This is funny.

[Reef69]

Growl , Growl, Wolf!!!!

This is funny.

...I dont get it?

[CD]

So Joshua...since KeysCritters and Reeftopia are both in Florida, have they suspended shipping that you know of? Depending on damage they've sustained, it may take awhile before they are back up to speed (I would think) enough to do "business as usual". :unsure

I was going to go with Reeftopia this time purely because they have the fighting conchs, and I was interested in having a couple, but KeysCritters has everything else I want. Hmmmm. I guess I could try to find the conchs locally....?

W. :)

[thedude]

Austin Aquariums has fighting conchs all the time Wendy in the tanks that face you when you first walk in the room. Good sized and I think they cost 8 bucks or so.

[RobertG]

Growl , Growl, Wolf!!!!

This is funny.

...I dont get it?

Of course not, what is funny to me is the thread is all outta wack. When things our posted they should stay. I dont know what happen to the thread, I do know one of my post was deleted. Sponsors should not be a source for someone to have to defend all time. My 2 cents worth.

So lets all support a Maast Sponsor!!!

It is funny in that regard.. :P

[scuba_steveo]

So Joshua...since KeysCritters and Reeftopia are both in Florida, have they suspended shipping that you know of?

I just received my shipping confirmation from reeftopia. It went out today and should be here tomorrow before 10:30 AM.

[Reef69]

What if i want to defend a sponsor?..Do i have to ask for permission?..if so, from who?..LMAO

[scuba_steveo]

I dont know what happen to the thread, I do know one of my post was deleted.

The thread was stared over because the last one went way way off topic. Please keep all future posts on topic so we do not have to sart over again.

[JimD]

Im really getting tired of the BS in this thread, If the antagonizing continues, this entire threads going to get trashed.... Take it to PM or dont friggin post!!! Did you not read the sticky???

[CD]

Austin Aquariums has fighting conchs all the time Wendy in the tanks that face you when you first walk in the room. Good sized and I think they cost 8 bucks or so.

Awesome!!! I like that store, I just never noticed the conchs before as I never was really looking for them. Hey - do fighting conchs actually...err...fight? LOL If I get two, are they gonna duke it out :blink

ScubaStevo - thanks for the info. I guess RTopia didn't get damaged by the storm then. Good. I would hate to see a good company like that have a major set back.

W. :)

[Ed]

Hey - do fighting conchs actually...err...fight? LOL If I get two, are they gonna duke it out :blink
W. :)

Here is a quote from orafarm.com:

- Why do they call them Fighting Conch?
The common name Fighting Conch refers to the male ritual of fighting each other with their proboscis at mating time. They do not fight with other animals and are quite docile in aquariums. They are reef safe for corals and clams.

[thedude]

Haha my fighting conch did indeed fight anything that touched it. It used its huge foot and slung anything that touched it halfway across the tank. It was really funny!

[NaCl_H2O]

Reeftopia.com
Astrea x100 = $45
Cerith x100 = $75
Semi: $120 + Free ship/box =
Total: $120

Y'all are thinking WAY too small, let's get a REAL group order going! :D

Sm Blue Leg Hermit x 600 (.20ea) = $120.00
Cerith x 600 (.60ea) = $360.00
Astrea x 600 (.30ea) = $180.00

Heck, I would probably take 100 of each!

[Gator]

i could use 200 of each

[NaCl_H2O]

I just saved you: $276 ;)

I'm not proud, bring it on ...

Anybody willing to start a Keyscritters group order thread? I really will go for 100 of several critter types: Astrea, Cerith, tiny blue legs, & maybe some Nasarius if they have the BIG ones.

I would rather not hassle with receipt & distribution, but between me & Gator we have 1/2 of a REAL group order taken care of already :P

[::pete::]

I may be interested in a few ...

[TexasTodd]

One more input on the type of snails. ReefTopia is located in the middle to lower keys. The Ceriths they collect are big...like1.5"+. The Ceriths that keyscritters collect are the small ones in the northern keys. They are like 0.5-0.75".

Many of the gurus on Reef Central say the small ones are MUCH better. The large ones are not as active.

I've had both and I'd have to agree. But neither are as active as Astreas or Nassarius.

Todd

[GaryP]

I'm in for an order too. I need bluelegs, cerith, and nassarius.

[deast7]

I'm in................................................ ..............................

[Darth-Tater]

Steve, count me in I could use lots of bluelegs, cerith, and Astrea. Let me know the status of an order.

David

[john]

With the amount of algae I have now I can feed a 1000 on my own, but I'm down for some too.

[scuba_steveo]

I am in but we need to move this, or start a new thread, in the group order section

[Sherri]

I want in also.

[bigdscobra]

Iam in !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[scuba_steveo]

I sent keys critter an email today to see if they would like to become a sponsor. Corrie's reply was very nice but she said that since such a small percentage of our business is with the end consumer that it is just not worth it to them to advertise to hobbyists. Most of there sales are to supplying wholesalers, transshippers, & pet shops.

Anyway, I do want some of their smaller cerith snails but I will get everything else from a sponsor.
Count me in for 50 - 100 cerith

[mathias]

I guess you awnsered my question :)

[bigdscobra]

So is there going to be a group buy?

[falcondob]

If nobody else steps forward in the next few days then I'll do it. Once we get it going though we should check with Wolf and see if he'll match the pricing though.

I think that is great idea. Many times a LFS will get a wholesale discount we can't get, even on a group buy. If we alternate these group buys around the LFSs it helps them build a relationship with the distibutor, they make a little, and we benefit from the volume purchase. I think that is a win/win.

We should give preference to MAAST sponsors first. We need to support those who support us.

My 1.234 cents,
John

[NaCl_H2O]

I think when you get into the 600-1000 quantities the lot discounts are already rock bottom. I have combined an order with a few of us plus a LFS. The LFS jumped in on the buy because they couldn't get as good as a price at lower quantities.

If a LFS (or several) want to jump in on the buy, we might be able to get to the 1000 qty level and get really good pricing ;) (And a distribution location) ;) ;)

[NaCl_H2O]

Steve, from what I've seen in this thread we've already surpassed the 1000 qty discount.

Yup, maybe 2000 :)

Wendy started an Austin Reeftopia interest thread, I kinda would like to try Keyscritters for the small Ceriths! As Sheri suggested, I guess we shoudl start an SA thread.

[bigdscobra]

Keys kritters sounds good. I would like to get some blue leg crabs along with some snails.

[1460sun]

I'm going to need to add to my cleanup crew when I set up my new 120. I was thinking about ordering from Zen Reef and getting some of those cool orange hermits http://www.zenreef.com/