I won't order online anymore... I did a year ago at Bluezoo. I had ordered an anemone (dead and screwed the tank), a red fromia (with half legs) and some zoos. very bad experience. best at the LFS. I like to see what I am buying.
But Mike, I don't have a LFS with a 2000 gallon tank! LOL!
Yeah I'm in agreement with most everyone else here, Live Aquaria was the site I was actually going to mention to you about whether I can order online from them or not. Seems like an excellent site, great prices and as somebody stated here a live guarentee. I may take a chance on it when I get my refugium all setup and set to go. My main concern is compatibility. What happens if you order a fish online and it just will not get along with a current fish in your tank? You're screwed it would seem to me. Now on the other hand you can take it back to your LFS and say "Uhh yes I need to try another species of fish, this one fights terribly with my Triggerfish" or something like that.
(Although the one thing I gotta say about Liveaquaria is they always seem to be out of stock of most of their stuff, what's up with that?) I've been waiting for Emp Angels to get in stock forever!
my LFS will not only order the fish/invert/coral but they also will not sell it to me unless they make sure its healthy norm 8-12 days.If it dies they get a credit and I am not out $.The bad part is they only order every 2 weeks and I pay site price plus 1/4 to 1/2 shipping fee.
I ordered a juvenile Emperor Angel many years ago from liveaquaria.com and it grew into the most beautiful fish that I've ever owned.
I've been buying fish and inverts there for over 7 years with no problems other than the occasional dead snail or hermit crab. They do have the Diver's Den where you can pick your fish and coral, but they are usually more expensive. It is also the best place that I've found for live rock. My LFS's never seem to have more than a few pieces for sale and it is usually more expensive than the rocks plus shipping from liveaquaria. The only time I buy live rock at the LFS anymore is if they have a very intersting piece that I want.