Thoughts on Dr. Reef

[Dr. Reef]

I’ve gotten great fish from Dr. Reef. Each purchase has included an additional fish of one type or another, It’s a nice little perk. Sadly I’ve lost a few, but I can’t blame him or his company. Never had a DOA, so the loss is on me. The trauma these animals go through from wild harvest, to all the shipping, the wholesaler equivalent to cattle feed lots, the medication and quarantine processes done, loss is inevitable. Sadly, I have to chalk it up as part of the hobby, I wish it wasn’t so but those are the facts and how I process the loss of the fish and the loss of the money.

That being said, I will continue to support his business. I do my own quarantine process even after getting his fish. I look at his process as a good back stop for getting a relatively healthy, eating fish that is strong enough to survive the whole process including his protocols, which increases my success in the hobby.

PM me please, I like to help you out and replace what you lost as you know I don't do this for money but for the passion I have for this hobby.

 

[wrasse man]

PM me please, I like to help you out and replace what you lost as you know I don't do this for money but for the passion I have for this hobby.

Funny thing, and as stupid as it sounds; I don’t even know how to “PM”. :face-with-tears-of-joy:

No worries on the fish, I’m just happy to give a good review for good service. You owe me nothing, but the offer is greatly appreciated.

 

[Dr. Reef]

Funny thing, and as stupid as it sounds; I don’t even know how to “PM”. :face-with-tears-of-joy:

No worries on the fish, I’m just happy to give a good review for good service. You owe me nothing, but the offer is greatly appreciated.

No worries I appreciate you but still if you post your order # I'll be able to look up and get in touch with you.

 

[wrasse man]

No worries I appreciate you but still if you post your order # I'll be able to look up and get in touch with you.

#24QF12934 & #24QF13401

 

[ravi197699]

For what it’s worth… I highly recommend Jeff at Fish Hotel!

I wanted to buy few tangs from Jeff but he never has anything good in stock,

 

[ravi197699]

I have bought maculiceps tang from Dr Fish and receive the fish after full quarantine, very good communication, fish received was very skinny and small but eating everything and sent message to him, He explained this is due to copper and I added the fish in container in tank and after 1 week released the fish with the rest, little aggression was there but this fish put up with everything, not this fish is 4 inches long and doing well, this was my first time buy and I am very happy with my purchase, I will buy more rare tangs from him for sure, this was my experience with Dr. Reef

 

[Tamberav]

I wanted to buy few tangs from Jeff but he never has anything good in stock,

The fish sell fast, also he does a lot of custom orders on another forum. It is a small business so he can't QT huge swaths of fish.

 

[ravi197699]

The fish sell fast, also he does a lot of custom orders on another forum. It is a small business so he can't QT huge swaths of fish.

I sent message to him with my custom order and he does not have it, not sure what was the reason but this is the response I got, but I would love to try to buy fish from him as well,

 

[Dr. Reef]

I sent message to him with my custom order and he does not have it, not sure what was the reason but this is the response I got, but I would love to try to buy fish from him as well,

I was able to hook him up with only 1 wholesaler, I had to pull some strings. Most all wholesalers require a brick and mortar store and few other facility size and tank volume requirements, licences, etc. They dont sell to basement sellers (figure of speech no disrespect)
Thats why hes limited to what he can get. Unfortunately i was not able to help more as stated above.

 

[Dr. Reef]

#24QF12934 & #24QF13401

I located you sir, now tell me what fish did you lose?

 

[Tamberav]

I sent message to him with my custom order and he does not have it, not sure what was the reason but this is the response I got, but I would love to try to buy fish from him as well,

+1 - as Dr Reef stated, he doesn't have a store front so many won't sell to him. He does some direct imports and such. He puts out lists of what is available and people can order from them. He is a sponsor on another forum so that is where the lists get posted.

I got two leopard wrasses, jawfish, goby, anthia from him so far. I have gotten a few things from Dr Reef as well. Only problem is Dr Reef is much farther away from me and shipping is dicey for the type of fish I want.

 

[ravi197699]

I was able to hook him up with only 1 wholesaler, I had to pull some strings. Most all wholesalers require a brick and mortar store and few other facility size and tank volume requirements, licences, etc. They dont sell to basement sellers (figure of speech no disrespect)
Thats why hes limited to what he can get. Unfortunately i was not able to help more as stated above.

Hello Dr. Reef - I am looking to buy some angles, Black Nox, Coral Beauty, Dusky Blue Fin, please let me know the availability so I can place an order on website,

 

[ravi197699]

+1 - as Dr Reef stated, he doesn't have a store front so many won't sell to him. He does some direct imports and such. He puts out lists of what is available and people can order from them. He is a sponsor on another forum so that is where the lists get posted.

I got two leopard wrasses, jawfish, goby, anthia from him so far. I have gotten a few things from Dr Reef as well. Only problem is Dr Reef is much farther away from me and shipping is dicey for the type of fish I want.

so nice of you to do that, this will help him stock more livestock and variety,

 

[Oldreefer44]

My personal experience with Dr. Reef hasn't been great. The current DOA policy isn't attractive, because you're basically stuck with store credit and having to just reorder again and again, which has been frustrating because every order I've done has had issues...I had a recent order with a leaking bag, ended up losing everything, and have ordered some CUC and 1/3 were DOA on arrival or many empty shells.

Similar experience. Ordered 5 fish, one survived.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

So after reading every post here (and others in different threads) I decided to pull the trigger on a few fish from @Dr. Reef

Yes, there were a couple less than stellar reviews here, and I’m glad to have read them. I don’t trust any business that doesn’t have a few…we all make mistakes. The way in which he has responded to them here speaks to his ethics. None of this let’s take it to private so the public can’t see. No moderation of posts. All the dirty laundry is out for us to see. I applaud that. In saying this, I don’t mean to take away from anyone’s bad experiences.

I’ve lost a few fish over the last five years and have been completely paralyzed at the thought of adding any with my vision loss. The other forum site obviously pushed their approved vendors but I’m an odd duck with special needs and the way one goes about ordering fish from them wasnt appealing to me whatsoever. Nothing against it per se, just not my jam.

I’ve never bought a quarantined fish before. I was always able to manage on my own. Between these posts, and emails with him, I’m confident enough to plop these directly in my tank (well acclimation box) after his acclimation procedure and let be what will be.

I’m not writing this to get a discount (they do offer those for posts and social media), but just to chime in here and thank you all for your honest opinions and experiences (both good and bad).

 

[tautog83]

But he will reship them without charging you for shipping nobody really does that. I will say the packaging could be a bit better to avoid bags moving but overall had good experience

 

[Dr. Reef]

But he will reship them without charging you for shipping nobody really does that. I will say the packaging could be a bit better to avoid bags moving but overall had good experience

Most people assume, because that's industry standard for a very long time and i don't blame them.

We do replace fish and we do offer guarantees.
We have replaced fish that were way out of guarantee period by months not days.

If client was to email us and explained what happened 9 out of 10 times they would end up with free replacements.

But because this is unheard off hardly people email and once they find out they are amazed.

Qtying fish is not easy that's why you don't have but half a dozen stores that do that.
If it was profitable and easy almost everyone will be in it.
First off there are huge losses during qtying process. Then qtying medications make fish loose appetite. Fish become skinny.
Copper and prazi 2 main meds that must be administered, both make fish quit eating.
Then comes the stress of shipping and acclimation.
Anyhow don't assume guys. Just simply email us and you will NOT find us on the stingy side.

 

[ravi197699]

So after reading every post here (and others in different threads) I decided to pull the trigger on a few fish from @Dr. Reef

Yes, there were a couple less than stellar reviews here, and I’m glad to have read them. I don’t trust any business that doesn’t have a few…we all make mistakes. The way in which he has responded to them here speaks to his ethics. None of this let’s take it to private so the public can’t see. No moderation of posts. All the dirty laundry is out for us to see. I applaud that. In saying this, I don’t mean to take away from anyone’s bad experiences.

I’ve lost a few fish over the last five years and have been completely paralyzed at the thought of adding any with my vision loss. The other forum site obviously pushed their approved vendors but I’m an odd duck with special needs and the way one goes about ordering fish from them wasnt appealing to me whatsoever. Nothing against it per se, just not my jam.

I’ve never bought a quarantined fish before. I was always able to manage on my own. Between these posts, and emails with him, I’m confident enough to plop these directly in my tank (well acclimation box) after his acclimation procedure and let be what will be.

I’m not writing this to get a discount (they do offer those for posts and social media), but just to chime in here and thank you all for your honest opinions and experiences (both good and bad).

I agree with you on this. I bought fish from other tanks, qted fish myself and loss os there , it is just part of the hobby, bought fish from him (1) and it is thriving in my tank, I will possibly order 3 or 4 angles I inquired from him, fish loss can happen and him standing behind what he sold and not charge shipping again is an outstanding,

 

[SpyC]

Most people assume, because that's industry standard for a very long time and i don't blame them.

We do replace fish and we do offer guarantees.
We have replaced fish that were way out of guarantee period by months not days.

If client was to email us and explained what happened 9 out of 10 times they would end up with free replacements.

But because this is unheard off hardly people email and once they find out they are amazed.

Qtying fish is not easy that's why you don't have but half a dozen stores that do that.
If it was profitable and easy almost everyone will be in it.
First off there are huge losses during qtying process. Then qtying medications make fish loose appetite. Fish become skinny.
Copper and prazi 2 main meds that must be administered, both make fish quit eating.
Then comes the stress of shipping and acclimation.
Anyhow don't assume guys. Just simply email us and you will NOT find us on the stingy side.

There was an older thread where you were discussing areas for improvement and packing was one of them. have there been any changes to the packing process? Each time I have ordered fish were suck in the corner of at least one bag and at least one bag has had a leak.

 

[Dr. Reef]

There was an older thread where you were discussing areas for improvement and packing was one of them. have there been any changes to the packing process? Each time I have ordered fish were suck in the corner of at least one bag and at least one bag has had a leak.

Yes, we did respond to that thread as well and I'll mention is it here as well.
Industry standard is a 2 mil simply plastic bag sold for pennies on many wholesale websites. That's why they double triple the bags. Those bags require metal ring to seal it or rubber bands. Either way both don't seal properly and give when it comes to pressure and or abuse.

Our bags are 4mil standard, usable for heal sealing equipment. They are twice as strong and if sealed properly they won't burst open.

Fish getting stuck in corners is something we heard maybe from few customers and honestly in 5 years of doing this commercially has never been an issue. Not even 0.25% doa claimed due to fish stuck in corner.

However because its been brought up, We talked to our bag manufacturer.
We have special bags that are built for our needs and with our specs.
These bags are heat sealed from top while from bottom there is a one way air valve to push oxygen in. So after we run out of the current stock, by end of this year, we will move on new bags coming in that are square bottom rather than round which will solve that problem.