Reef keeping when living rural

[Ladipyg]

When I resided in Chicago, there was no shortage of pet shops or private reefers to obtain stock from. 16 years ago I retired to a very, VERY rural area in Arkansas on my 30 acre farm. (So rural we don't get cellphone, radio or tv signals here) I have everything but the tank and stand if I wanted to start over again. Top of the line skimmer, sump, 100's of pounds of rock and substrate, MH and LED lighting, etc.
My question, has anyone been able to set up and maintain a SW aquarium under these conditions. There are a couple of Petco stores, 65 and 90 miles away. We all know their stock can be questionable and overpriced. That would leave me dependent on getting stock via mail order. I have a large RO/DI set up and a massive auto switching backup generator so power outages wouldn't be a problem. I miss the relaxing aspects of a SW aquarium. I want to go as large as possible. I am thinking 300 gallon.
Anyone keeping a successful reef tank under these conditions. I would like to know the best and worst aspects of doing a tank under these conditions.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT!

 

[twentyleagues]

I think if you are ok with ordering online and the risks that involves you will be fine. I like to see and if possible touch stuff I am buying I dont know how i'd handle online purchases only.

 

[jimk60]

Do you have delivery from FedEx and USPS? If so livestock delivery should be ok as long as you can get overnight delivery. I'm sorta rural and don't get overnight delivery till anywhere from 6-8PM. Hasn't been a problem.

 

[Fish Fan]

Can you reliably receive parcels from carriers like UPS and/or FedEx? If so, you're likely in good shape. Good luck!

EDIT: Sorry, I did not see the above comments already.

 

[BryanM]

I would think so, as others indicated, overnight UPS and you should be good to go. Have things shipped on Monday or Tuesday, where if there is a delay, it doesn't get delayed over a weekend.

Otherwise with the generator you've got things covered better than most of us!

 

[Tahoe61]

I have not been to a saltwater store in 3 yrs. I do have a petco, and I can order through them, otherwise I get everything on line.

 

[Featherweight]

When I resided in Chicago, there was no shortage of pet shops or private reefers to obtain stock from. 16 years ago I retired to a very, VERY rural area in Arkansas on my 30 acre farm. (So rural we don't get cellphone, radio or tv signals here) I have everything but the tank and stand if I wanted to start over again. Top of the line skimmer, sump, 100's of pounds of rock and substrate, MH and LED lighting, etc.
My question, has anyone been able to set up and maintain a SW aquarium under these conditions. There are a couple of Petco stores, 65 and 90 miles away. We all know their stock can be questionable and overpriced. That would leave me dependent on getting stock via mail order. I have a large RO/DI set up and a massive auto switching backup generator so power outages wouldn't be a problem. I miss the relaxing aspects of a SW aquarium. I want to go as large as possible. I am thinking 300 gallon.
Anyone keeping a successful reef tank under these conditions. I would like to know the best and worst aspects of doing a tank under these conditions.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT!

So far mail order has been really hit n miss. Some people just don't pack corals well. It's heartbreaking when they show up dead. Otherwise no big deal.

 

[Dr. D]

I’m not as rural as you are, but well over an hour to the nearest LFS. There’s a Petco in my town but I’ve only bought salt from them. I visited the modest LFS once and have no plans to return.

Otherwise I’ve built my 100g tank up with online purchases, with most equipment coming from SaltwaterAquarium, and a few key items (e.g. skimmer, Reefmat) from other forum members. I’ve had good luck buying QTd fish online (knock on wood… another shipment coming next week). My first batch of mail order corals arrives next week too, so I can’t yet comment on that.

 

[Tamberav]

When I resided in Chicago, there was no shortage of pet shops or private reefers to obtain stock from. 16 years ago I retired to a very, VERY rural area in Arkansas on my 30 acre farm. (So rural we don't get cellphone, radio or tv signals here) I have everything but the tank and stand if I wanted to start over again. Top of the line skimmer, sump, 100's of pounds of rock and substrate, MH and LED lighting, etc.
My question, has anyone been able to set up and maintain a SW aquarium under these conditions. There are a couple of Petco stores, 65 and 90 miles away. We all know their stock can be questionable and overpriced. That would leave me dependent on getting stock via mail order. I have a large RO/DI set up and a massive auto switching backup generator so power outages wouldn't be a problem. I miss the relaxing aspects of a SW aquarium. I want to go as large as possible. I am thinking 300 gallon.
Anyone keeping a successful reef tank under these conditions. I would like to know the best and worst aspects of doing a tank under these conditions.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT!

Yes, why not? My closest LFS is 2 hours. I just order livestock for hold for pickup at ups and make the drive. Otherwise being rural, ups shows up at 7-8pm no matter if you pay 10am delivery or not.

Everything can be bought online, same as everything else which ofc is why small local business sometimes struggle these days.

 

[TacticalBacon]

When I resided in Chicago, there was no shortage of pet shops or private reefers to obtain stock from. 16 years ago I retired to a very, VERY rural area in Arkansas on my 30 acre farm. (So rural we don't get cellphone, radio or tv signals here) I have everything but the tank and stand if I wanted to start over again. Top of the line skimmer, sump, 100's of pounds of rock and substrate, MH and LED lighting, etc.
My question, has anyone been able to set up and maintain a SW aquarium under these conditions. There are a couple of Petco stores, 65 and 90 miles away. We all know their stock can be questionable and overpriced. That would leave me dependent on getting stock via mail order. I have a large RO/DI set up and a massive auto switching backup generator so power outages wouldn't be a problem. I miss the relaxing aspects of a SW aquarium. I want to go as large as possible. I am thinking 300 gallon.
Anyone keeping a successful reef tank under these conditions. I would like to know the best and worst aspects of doing a tank under these conditions.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT!

I’ve heard good things about Dr Reef’s QT fish in Tulsa Oklahoma. So being in Arkansas isn’t that far off.

 

[tayyybra_]

I'm in a similar position. We have some local fish stores here but they only carry basic starter fish and coral so I do most of my shopping online anyway. Never had an issue- usually what I do is buy from WYSIWYG