Bulk Reef Supply doesn't seem very Bulk

[Blitheran]

I'm a reefer who stepped away from the hobby back in 2019, and I'm just now getting back into it. It's wild to see how much has changed—like the disappearance of Marine Depot, though I guess that's to be expected as companies come and go.

One thing that really stood out to me is that Bulk Reef Supply doesn’t seem to carry as many brands as they used to. Notably, I couldn't find Reef Octopus, GHL, and a few others. If you type in "Kalk Reactors" it's just tubing lol. I haven’t done a deep dive yet, and maybe I’m just forgetting, but overall, the selection doesn’t feel as broad as it once was.

It seems like BRS is gradually shifting toward pushing their own product lines more and more.

I have always purchased from BRS, but with limited choices. Makes it harder to stay a fan :) Not hating on the company, just taking notice of what it once was 6 years ago.

 

[LPS Bum]

Yep, things have changed markedly at BRS since Aperture Pet took over. And not for the better. I miss Marine Depot. I used to buy my fish there when I lived in SoCal.

 

[SliceGolfer]

Saltwater Aquarium, Champion Lighting, and Premium Aquatics are my go to, BRS when I have no other choice.

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

I noticed this as well seeing the last order I placed before my new system was in 2020. So I pick and choose what I order from them now seeing I cant find everything I used to buy there.

But also BRS does a lot for the hobby imo when it comes to the amount of information and testing they conduct for all of us, I would like to continue to support as I can for this reason. But I have seen the change over the last several years as well

 

[UncommonSense]

Same here; I got out of the hobby around 5-6 years ago and kinda just held onto all my equipment…

Once I decided to restart everything; I did some cursory research on BRS, then promptly switched to secondhand equipment listings!

 

[Bohicas Reef]

Saltwater Aquarium, Champion Lighting, and Premium Aquatics are my go to, BRS when I have no other choice.

Scratch the first one you listed. I would never spend my money with them again. Bought a light hanging kit that connects to back of a tank, installed it and it was too short. Emailed them to return it, i had to ship it back. Cost $65 to ship it and for them to tell me sorry can’t help you cause you open the box. I was like seriously, so after spending close to a $1k with them on recent purchases. At least with BRS, they give you a credit, refund, or replacements.

 

[rtparty]

The name Bulk comes from back when they first started they gave you discounts for buying in bulk. The more 2 part you bought, the less per pound it was. It was this way for almost every item on the site including pumps and skimmers

That went away LONG before Bertram took over.

Reef Octopus? Depends which side you believe. Just a bunch of drama between CV and APL.

GHL? Literally doesn’t sell. During the COVID boom, GHL still never sold on BRS. Just took up valuable shelf space. They put it on clearance and it took months to move even at 30-50% off.

 

[wickedxreef]

Scratch the first one you listed. I would never spend my money with them again. Bought a light hanging kit that connects to back of a tank, installed it and it was too short. Emailed them to return it, i had to ship it back. Cost $65 to ship it and for them to tell me sorry can’t help you cause you open the box. I was like seriously, so after spending close to a $1k with them on recent purchases. At least with BRS, they give you a credit, refund, or replacements.

I had the same experience with saltwater aquarium. Not to mention, their points redemption is made in such a way you can never fully redeem all your points. While BRS might not carry everything, at least their return and points program is straight forward.

 

[tritonpower]

I too have gone more toward saltwateraquarium.com. Never had an issue with them. I redeem my points with them all the time. You just need to order lots to get lots of points! I also use top shelf aquatics and other retailers for various stuff. I only use BRS for stuff I can't find elsewhere.

 

[John Neuzil]

I switched to SaltwaterAquarium.com when BRS sold out. Very happy i did. Great service and selection. The only thing good about BRS right now is Thomas.

 

[rhitee93]

I've become a fan of Premium Aquatics. They have an actual brick and mortar store as well as an online presence. Their store in only a couple of hours from me so a nice perk is that ground shipping gets me stuff the next day.

 

[SaltwaterAq]

We miss Marine Depot as well. That was the first place I shopped, that and Dr Fosters & Smith in 2011.

 

[SaltwaterAq]

Scratch the first one you listed. I would never spend my money with them again. Bought a light hanging kit that connects to back of a tank, installed it and it was too short. Emailed them to return it, i had to ship it back. Cost $65 to ship it and for them to tell me sorry can’t help you cause you open the box. I was like seriously, so after spending close to a $1k with them on recent purchases. At least with BRS, they give you a credit, refund, or replacements.

This sounds like a screw up on my end. I don't understand why we wouldn't credit/refund a return. Hit me up direct and I'll try to figure out where we failed you. Sorry.