new SPS received and they look bleached

Bradley Keck · Dec 29, 2018

So I went a little crazy on another live sale. These sales are killing me! I just cannot help myself! I decided to give a couple of acro's a try. When I opened the bags, I noticed on two of them a distinct smell and the water to be a bit brown or dirty. These same acro's were also nearly all white when I got them in the tank. I did receive two other acro's that have color and did not have the same water in their bag. Should I contact the place I got them from or is this normal?

Rakie · Dec 29, 2018

You should have contacted before opening the bag. Could have been some RTN. The vendor may help you out, but they usually have a "contact before opening" policy. Including pictures.

The issue is they can't be sure you didn't just kill it and then lie about it later. Message them right away, and hopefully they can help you out.

Bradley Keck · Dec 29, 2018

Good to know. I took pictures of them after putting them in, but didn't even think to take pics before opening the bag:( I have contacted them. I'm really happy with everything else, just two of them that really look white.

Rakie · Dec 29, 2018

Yeah. It was probably RTN in the bag, especially if the water was tan -- that's just dead coral in the water. It's a tough business, and there's a lot of scammers out there. So in the future, they expect a reply usually within an hour or two of delivery, and before the bag is opened. Also clear picture evidence is usually necessary.

I've had a mishandled box from UPS show up all smashed up. Had about 9 frags, only 2 alive the rest were all DOA. Sadly the seller helped me out, but it was a pure loss for him, UPS doesn't insure live goods.

Sucks, but just how the hobby is.

Bradley Keck · Dec 29, 2018

Lesson learned. I just took a look at them with lights out all night, and there is some color on them and a little polyp extension, but they have a lot of white on them too. My other two acro's have just a tiny bit on the tips. I put them in the middle of the tank, but on the sand. Hopefully they will recover, but I have no idea what the chances of that are.