From Bad, To Worse, To Mega Bad

[coldcazzie]

well a 50% success rate after it taking longer than anticipated and the heat pack running out wouldn't be too bad, especially not as you've also got replacements coming - even if only 25% survived that would still give you more than you originally bargained for!

oh, and I hope you're complaining like hell to the courier!

 

[Joshwainwright]

Buy 10 get 2 free.

 

[Rorie]

Buy 10 get 2 free.

I have no idea what this refers too but thats maybe just becuase i am so sleepy! Who knew fish were so hard work!

Indeed, i have just messaged the guy to ask him to only send 25 more. I can see my cardinals all sholling in the back of the tank! The day has come that i can look at my tank and say "Look at my pretty fish" haha. SO much room in there though, aybe 50 more? haha, just kidding.....for now!

 

[Joshwainwright]

How much did you pay for the Cardinals, and who is the seller?

I'm undecided whether to go for Neon Tetras or Cardinals.

 

[Rorie]

How much did you pay for the Cardinals, and who is the seller?

I'm undecided whether to go for Neon Tetras or Cardinals.

I got them from The Tropical Fish Shop which are an online shop. I was put off by their website a bit as i found it hard to navigate. But i sent them a message and asked what the best price they could do was for me buying 50 Cardinals. On ebay, i managed to get a couple people to offer 50 for £50 + P&P. Most guarantee live delivery, but wont refund postage. Some of them give no guarantee at all as it is 'cold over night' (Em, we live in the UK!!!!). One guy was making a good offer, but was a bit of an #14### with his emails - telling me to order quickly if i wanted them at that price, telling me i should have bought my plants from him etc and got a bit pushy....which i cant be bothered with!

So, speaking to a guy at The Tropical Fish Shop, he told me straight off that at £50 for 50 he would be making such small margins, he would not be able to offer his guarantee. But at £65 for 50, he would offer his full guarantee, which includes refund etc of postage. He was really helpful, and also had stock of Bolivian Rams which i wanted at the same time. So despite costing a bit more, i went with his offer. Long story short, i am glad i did given the hassle and his willingness to resolve with no cost to me!

As for Neons or Cardinals.....Cardinals all the way!! IMO they look nicer (full colour horizontal stripes rather than diagonal) and they get a bit bigger than the neons. They are more expensive though! I hear neons are a bit to captive bred now which makes them a bit wimpish (i think).

 

[Joshwainwright]

I'm nearing saying I'll go for Cardinals as I've heard Neons won't do well in my new setup. I think I'm going to contact the guy from The Tropical Fish Shop as you have, and ask him how much it will cost if I bought my whole stock from him. Surely I will save some pennies there

 

[Rorie]

I'm nearing saying I'll go for Cardinals as I've heard Neons won't do well in my new setup. I think I'm going to contact the guy from The Tropical Fish Shop as you have, and ask him how much it will cost if I bought my whole stock from him. Surely I will save some pennies there

I guess it depends on the set up, but I got 50 all at once as i was running fishless cycle, so could add them all straight away. From now on though, it will not be so cost effective as i can only buy a few at a time, and will have the expense of postage too But if you can add a lot at one time, then i think it becomes cost effective

 

[Joshwainwright]

My plan is to get all my stock at once, online

 

[lilfishie]

i was looking through there site the other day, they have a few fish i'd be interested in, will see how your next lot do and give them a call

 

[Joshwainwright]

The Tropical Fish Shop are EXTREMELY over priced!

I emailed them, asking the total cost of the fish below including postage and packaging.

• 12 Cardinal Tetras
• 6 Peppered Corys
• A pair of Dwarf Gouramis
• 1 Bristlenosed Plec

They responded, telling me that these fish would cost £70 which is a "good price." I'm in shock, £70 for a few common fish.

 

[Rorie]

I was £65 for 50 Cardinals (£1.30 each) which is really good. Only place that beat that was ebay at £1 each....but as stated, that comes with issues. He also made me the offer of £1 each but with no guarantee. Just as well i went for the £65 haha.
On top of that i got 4 Rams for £20....which is cheaper than most LFS, but granted its not the cheapest!

But over all, for the cost and the guarantee, it worked out well for me. I could have got it for cheaper, but i dont think many others would be so willing to refund the fish free of charge AND the postage for the re-delivery is free! So in effect, i have saved my postage cost straight off, and its hassle free with good communication to/from him

 

[Joshwainwright]

I'll see what happens, £70 for a few common fish just seems extremely expensive to me. There's only 21 fish in total!

 

[Rorie]

I'll see what happens, £70 for a few common fish just seems extremely expensive to me. There's only 21 fish in total!

Sure. He ordered in my cardinals especially for me, and i stated the best prices i'd been quoted, so maybe this helped. But as you say, general fish are not that cheap - my rams were not expensive, but certainly not cheap!

 

[lilfishie]

i agree some of there prices (according to there website) seem rather high compared to my small LFS, others are a fair amount cheaper

Josh £70 does seem a rather lot to me considering they are all common fish

 

[coldcazzie]

I'm nearing saying I'll go for Cardinals as I've heard Neons won't do well in my new setup. I think I'm going to contact the guy from The Tropical Fish Shop as you have, and ask him how much it will cost if I bought my whole stock from him. Surely I will save some pennies there

That won't change with cardinals. Cardinals, neons and rummy noses are the one's which consistently do less well in a newer set up. Sorry to bust your bubble there!