Aquaticarts.com

[JeffK]

Strangely enough, I just haven't been able to find ember tetras lately, but in my LFS or any of my usual mail-order fish stores. I had read some positive things about aquaticarts, and they had embers in stock, so I decided to give them a try. Their website mentioned that you can save 10% off your first order with them if you sign up for their newsletter, so I took advantage of that, got my coupon code, and ordered a group of 6x ember tetras.

They sent me numerous emails updating the status of my order, which was nice. When the fish arrived, they sent me 8x ember tetras, so 2 extras! (Always a nice surprise). Included in the box was a sheet of paper describing the business on one side, and an acclimation guide on the other side. The fish bag was packed in that insulation stuff that looks like the lint you periodically remove from your clothes dryer - apparently it's actually finely ground up newspaper (no styrofoam lining the box). I personally prefer the fish bag be packed with crumbled up newspaper around it as IME when well-packed that bag doesn't have room to move around at all. This bag was not as well-packed in the insulation stuff (that stuff just doesn't secure the bag quite a well IME, but it was fine nonetheless.

The fish were small (as advertised), but they were quite active and ate for me the next day. They appear very healthy. I'll definitely add aquaticarts to my list of quality online sources for live fish. Very pleased with the entire experience with them!

 

[MattS99]

Thanks for the good review. Been thinking about ordering from them.

 

[Tiny_Tanganyikans]

Glad I saw this as I was considering a substantial purchase from them this weekend. I'm definitely going to place my order now, thank you

 

[clk89]

I have had good luck with them as well. I have bought plants, snails, and shrimp from them. They even held my shrimp for me when the weather wasn't good and gave store credit for the shipping delay.

 

[JeffK]

Glad I saw this as I was considering a substantial purchase from them this weekend. I'm definitely going to place my order now, thank you

If you're buying any groups of schooling fish, they'll probably throw in an extra or 2.

 

[Tiny_Tanganyikans]

If you're buying any groups of schooling fish, they'll probably throw in an extra or 2.

Nice, yes I want to order several psuedomugils, micro rasboras, and some gobies

 

[James17]

Every time I order from them they always throw in some extra, even with plants.

 

[Tiny_Tanganyikans]

Every time I order from them they always throw in some extra, even with plants.

How is their plant quality? Healthy/vibrant? Their bunch plants are almost double what I usually pay elsewhere but the products aren't impressive until I show them TLC.

 

[James17]

I love their plants always pristine quality, I ordered plants about four times from them and never had a bad plant.
My last order was Christmans Moss about two months ago, it's growing really well.

 

[Tiny_Tanganyikans]

I just received a rather huge plant order but I think I'll tack a couple bunches on to my order to check them out. I'm excited for my fish as I've been looking for these particular species for a few months. I love my psuedomugils, they're some of the more dramatic looking and beautiful micro fish that I stock

 

[JeffK]

I just received a rather huge plant order but I think I'll tack a couple bunches on to my order to check them out. I'm excited for my fish as I've been looking for these particular species for a few months. I love my psuedomugils, they're some of the more dramatic looking and beautiful micro fish that I stock

Make sure you subscribe to their newsletter to get the extra 10% off!

 

[Discusluv]

I have to say that I am a bit underwhelmed in the quality of the plants that I received today. I ordered 2 baby tears ( Hemianthus micranthemoides) and 3 Hairgrass plants.
When I opened the plastic container of the baby tears a rotted smell came along with it. They were also a really light green and when I put into tank a good part of the plant melted as I put it in tank. The hairgrass, while it appears much more healthy then the baby tears, was mush on the ends from rot.
These are the first plants I have put in my tank so far, still haven't received the bulk of my plants yet from Arizona Gardens... so my tank is still not yet put together. But, I am attaching a couple pics to show you.
I doubt I will order from them again.

 

[hattie]

Their fish are great and so is there customer service! I have ordered from them twice. If I were you I would contact them and tell them about your plants.

 

[BeanFish]

No experience ordering online but yeah, the plants do look rough. The hairgrass is semi-decent for me but the baby tears are definitely poop. Those 2 plants need CO2 to carpet well tho, are you gonna use CO2?
I would definitely call them and ask for a refund.

 

[Discusluv]

No experience ordering online but yeah, the plants do look rough. The hairgrass is semi-decent for me but the baby tears are definitely poop. Those 2 plants need CO2 to carpet well tho, are you gonna use CO2?
I would definitely call them and ask for a refund.

No, no Co2. I probably got the wrong plants to begin with.
It is not necessary that they carpet, but will they even live without Co2?
I will call them in morning about the baby tears, the other ones are okay, after I cut the slimy mold off of the plants.

 

[BeanFish]

I haven't delved much into those plants because whenever I hear "pressurized CO2" I just run away but I think dwarf hair grass could live with enough light and ferts. Of course if you want that horizontal growth you need high light and preferably CO2.
As for the baby tears, I'm not so sure to be honest. Last time I read about them they were supposedly slow growers so with no CO2 they are turtles, but I think it may survive with just light and nutrients. If you can I would change it for another plant tho.

 

[Discusluv]

I haven't delved much into those plants because whenever I hear "pressurized CO2" I just run away but I think dwarf hair grass could live with enough light and ferts. Of course if you want that horizontal growth you need high light and preferably CO2.
As for the baby tears, I'm not so sure to be honest. Last time I read about them they were supposedly slow growers so with no CO2 they are turtles, but I think it may survive with just light and nutrients. If you can I would change it for another plant tho.

Thanks I will change them out for something that is less finicky. I won't be buying from them again, that's for sure. They were a rotten mess.

 

[jmaldo]

Thanks for the heads up. I have heard good and bad. As mentioned contact them and share it. It would be helpful to skeptical buyers like myself.

 

[OnTheFly]

Definitely contact them. Those plants are very weak.

 

[BeanFish]

While I don't ship out plants I have read about it and it may not be their fault. If I sold plants and they came in that condition I would definitely refund the customer immediately, either by gifting them plants and resending those for free (shipping costs on the customer tho) or by just refunding everything altogether. Sometimes the package is treated roughly, or they sit longer than they should in a hot room etc...
Even the best sources can have unlucky shipments but only the best places will give you superb customer service and leave you happy. I would treat this situation with an open mind, maybe they aren't bad after all and offer you great customer service and a happy ending , or maybe they indeed suck, we don't know.

 

[Discusluv]

While I don't ship out plants I have read about it and it may not be their fault. If I sold plants and they came in that condition I would definitely refund the customer immediately, either by gifting them plants and resending those for free (shipping costs on the customer tho) or by just refunding everything altogether. Sometimes the package is treated roughly, or they sit longer than they should in a hot room etc...
Even the best sources can have unlucky shipments but only the best places will give you superb customer service and leave you happy. I would treat this situation with an open mind, maybe they aren't bad after all and offer you great customer service and a happy ending , or maybe they indeed suck, we don't know.

You are right- I will call them with an open mind- thank you for reminding me of that, my friend.

 

[BeanFish]

Are we friends now?

 

[Discusluv]

Are we friends now?

You are my bestest.

 

[ashenwelt]

The biggest problem I see in aquarium plants is that most are grown emmersed and not immersed. The second is that companies immediately immerse them and hope for the best. These two plants are common with this style of problem.

Oh and baby tears will grow tall without CO2 but should be do able.

Please let us know how the call goes!

 

[Discusluv]

*** Update***
Aquatic Arts responded promptly to my email (within 12 hours) for a replacement on my plants. They apologized for the inconvenience and quickly asked me what plants I would prefer for replacements.
It is times like these that you find out the integrity of a company, by how well they respond to issues. I can say now that if given the chance, I would order from them agaiin because of excellent customer service.

 

[James17]

I've ordered plants at least three times from them and received just beautiful plants, I have not ordered from anyone with this kind of heat, I'm afraid too.

 

[Discusluv]

I've ordered plants at least three times from them and received just beautiful plants, I have not ordered from anyone with this kind of heat, I'm afraid too.

Didn't even cross my mind. But, then again, Ive never ordered plants online. I figured if they were shipping plants this time of year to California, they had a method to do so.

 

[Discusluv]

Pictures of my replacement plants from Aquatic Arts.
I am only half done with my re-scape of the 30 gallon for my corydorus duplicareous , waiting for more plants from AZ Gardens. The large swords will be relocated to the discus tank, they are just temporarily waiting in here until I get everything ready in that tank.

 

[SixThreeOh]

I ordered 20 Blue Diamond Shrimp, 3 Black Devil Spike Snails, 10 Mystery Snails, 10 Marimo Mossballs, and one of their starter plant bundles. I actually drove up to Indy to pick the order up since it's summer. Customer service was great and it was no issue setting up for pickup. I got to Indy earlier than expected, so shot an email to them at lunch and was able to pick up my order two hours early.

Got home and was really happy with the quality and extras. Ended up with about 25 shrimp, 4 BDS Snails, 15 Mystery Snails, and 14 Mossballs. Shrimp are all high quality. Everything is healthy and active. Definitely going to order from them again.

 

[KimberlyG]

I had no idea you could pick up orders from them.

 

[minervalong]

Welcome to Fishlore!! I too have had great experiences with AquaticArts, they went way beyond expectations.

 

[minervalong]

I had no idea you could pick up orders from them.

Wish I lived closer, they would be my LFS of choice.

 

[-Mak-]

Good to know! I'll be ordering from them in a couple months hopefully.

 

[JeffK]

I've been very happy with them as well!

 

[MattS99]

I've only heard great things about them. I'd order from them.

 

[James17]

I've ordered from them three times and could not be happier. The only thing is that they are fairly small and run out of some things quickly.

 

[Discusluv]

When I get my next tank set up I will definitely be ordering plants from them. There customer service is exceptional.

 

[dansamy]

Happy to hear positives. I ordered plants from them through Amazon because free shipping.

 

[Bailey Oswald]

I've had good experiences with them.

 

[JeffK]

Rather than start a new thread, just wanted to say I got a little order from AquaticArts today and once again, everything was perfect - 100% satisfied customer

 

[KimberlyG]

Rather than start a new thread, just wanted to say I got a little order from AquaticArts today and once again, everything was perfect - 100% satisfied customer

Stop ordering from them! They're never going to get my fish in stock!

 

[Natalya]

Stop ordering from them! They're never going to get my fish in stock!

You know, sometimes they have stuff, they just don't put it on their site, because they don't have enough, or want to breed, or for whatever reasons. I asked twice for fish and invertebrates that were out of stock, and both times they found them for me. Just saying.

 

[KimberlyG]

You know, sometimes they have stuff, they just don't put it on their site, because they don't have enough, or want to breed, or for whatever reasons. I asked twice for fish and invertebrates that were out of stock, and both times they found them for me. Just saying.

That's interesting? Thanks!

 

[JeffK]

Stop ordering from them! They're never going to get my fish in stock!

Don't worry, I only bought some endlers that were on sale. They're trying to move them so they can get some new stuff in. So I was actually helping them make room so they can get your fish in stock!

 

[JeffK]

Stop ordering from them! They're never going to get my fish in stock!

What are you looking/waiting for (if you don't mind my asking?)

 

[KimberlyG]

What are you looking/waiting for (if you don't mind my asking?)

Scarlet Badis and Asian Stone Catfish. Both out of stock. I'll be ordering my shrimp when those are available. I've had fish in both of those tanks keeping the cycles going until I can get them. Fortunately, I'm a patient person. lol.

 

[KinsKicks]

Scarlet Badis and Asian Stone Catfish. Both out of stock. I'll be ordering my shrimp when those are available. I've had fish in both of those tanks keeping the cycles going until I can get them. Fortunately, I'm a patient person. lol.

Try MsJinkzyd. She's got some Asian stone cats . I'm not sure about the scarlet badis, she had some in a video not too long ago, and she's always saying to email her about stock that may not be listed. Updated today


I think they've got scarlet badis (I'm pretty sure) at my M&P LPS (maybe if you're interested...everyone always walks past them )

 

[JeffK]

Try MsJinkzyd. She's got some Asian stone cats . I'm not sure about the scarlet badis, she had some in a video not too long ago, and she's always saying to email her about stock that may not be listed. Updated today


I think they've got scarlet badis (I'm pretty sure) at my M&P LPS (maybe if you're interested...everyone always walks past them )

Yes - if you want, go to her site (linked above) and shoot her (Rachel) an email to see if she still has any badis - she's definitely had them in the past - recently. She does have asian stone catfish currently. It doesn't hurt to ask!

 

[KimberlyG]

It's just that there is so much to like about what this company is doing. I would like to support that. They do offer pickup so the fish will not be shipped. I like that. (They are three hours away so it is a day trip, but I traveled 8 hours each way to pick up my Great Pyrenees so that is no biggie for me. My car has outlets and I have an airstone. lol Plus I don't have to risk the plop and drop and can acclimate them the way I like to. I have a high pH and moderately hard water (16 KH)

 

[JeffK]

It's just that there is so much to like about what this company is doing. I would like to support that. They do offer pickup so the fish will not be shipped. I like that. (They are three hours away so it is a day trip, but I traveled 8 hours each way to pick up my Great Pyrenees so that is no biggie for me. My car has outlets and I have an airstone. lol Plus I don't have to risk the plop and drop and can acclimate them the way I like to. I have a high pH and moderately hard water (16 KH)

Very true - they really are a great (small) company!