FAQ

Yes, in fact we prefer our customers have the same sales representative for both accounts. Each of our sales reps are very knowledgeable about freshwater livestock.

No, we are very strict in ensuring that the public and jobbers are unable to enter our facility, much less buy from us. We value the relationship we have with our customers and don’t want to do a disservice to them by selling to their customers.

We are open Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm PST and Fridays from 8am to 4pm PST.

We carry a broad variety of dry goods products consisting of books, food, test kits, supplements, salt, plumbing, pumps, filtration, lighting, aquariums, commercial products, and more. To see our full range of products please visit our dry goods section on this website.

Depending on sales volume we receive anywhere from 30-40 shipments staggered throughout the week to ensure we always have a consistent inventory.

No, due to our continuous supply of fish and invertebrates, we maintain consistent fill rates throughout the week, with an average of 85% of items filled. To increase your chance of a higher fill rate it is best to order items available in higher quantities. (i.e. try to not order fish listed as having only one available)

Unlike other wholesale companies, our stock list is dynamic and always up to date. Once an item is ordered and entered into our computer it is immediately removed from our stock list. This allows our customers to always have an accurate idea of what we carry at any time. To obtain an up to date list call or email your sales rep to fax or email a copy, or log in to your account on this website to download a printable copy.

Yes, we can special order specific items that are not part of our typical inventory. For expensive and/or large items, a deposit may be required. Additionally, there is no guarantee on timeframe of shipment of specially ordered item. Many species are seasonal and unavailable at different times throughout the year.

Due to the inevitable stress from the transportation process, certain species are more likely to be susceptible to different diseases. To combat this we use a very high level of Ultraviolet Sterilization as well as a trace level of copper on our system. This combination is very efficient in effectively reducing the amount of bacteria and protozoan infections. We also take special care to isolate species sensitive to copper medication by housing them in separate untreated systems.

The Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) is an international, not-for-profit organization that brings marine aquarium animal collectors, exporters, importers and retailers together with aquarium keepers, public aquariums, conservation organizations and government agencies. Their mission is to conserve coral reefs and other marine ecosystems by creating standards and certification for those engaged in the collection and care of ornamental marine life from reef to aquarium.

Livestock that is labeled as MAC certified must pass in an unbroken chain from certified collectors operating in certified collection areas to certified export-import, wholesale and retail facilities. A MAC accredited, independent certification company will assess collection areas, collectors and wholesale and retail facilities for their compliance to the MAC Core Standards. These standards conform to World Trade Organization (WTO) guidelines and were developed through an international process involving conservation groups, the industry, hobbyists, public aquariums and government agencies.

Yes, any store can sell MAC Certified livestock; however, in order to label a MAC organism as being MAC certified the store must be an accredited MAC retailer and must have treated the organism in a way representative of the guidelines created by MAC.

On a limited basis we have a select variety of freshwater fish. Please contact your salesperson if you are interested in purchasing some of our fresh water fish.

Orders can be placed by phone, fax, or through our secure online ordering system. We recommend that if placing an order by phone you have a current stock list available to reference.

We require ship out Quality Marine customers to purchase a minimum of $600 and local walk-in customers must exceed a minimum of $500. For Aquatropic orders not combined with Quality Marine orders we require ship out and local customers to purchase a minimum of $150. If combining with a Quality Marine order, the Aquatropic order may be used in order to reach the minimum for Quality Marine orders.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Wire transfers

Prepaid, credit card, COD, wire transfer, net terms after a consistent purchase history.

We send shipments every day of the business week from Monday-Thursday. Friday shipping is not as common but can be arranged if desired.

Conditioned saltwater fish are shipped in 100% Tropic Marin synthetic seawater which is properly mixed and aerated prior to packing. No chemicals or tranquilizers are used in the shipping water. Saltwater fish are kept and shipped at a specific gravity at 1.018-1.020 and invertebrates are kept and shipped at 1.023-1.025. All of our fish and invertebrates are packed in heavy duty polyethylene bags custom made for each item to insure safe arrival. In addition, most of our bags utilize black liners to further reduce fish stress. Each bag is filled with fresh saltwater (not the water from the collection containers) and pure oxygen is added for fish respiration. Temperatures along shipping routes are determined each day and heat and ice packs are added to individual boxes as needed. We use Styrofoam inner boxes and corrugated outer cartons for all shipments. A box charge is made depending on the style of shipping container used.

Conditioned freshwater fish are shipped in filtered and aerated freshwater. For many sensitive species we add Methylene blue to the shipping water. All of our fish are packed in heavy duty polyethylene bags custom made for each item to insure safe arrival. Each bag is filled with fresh water (not the water from the collection containers) and pure oxygen is added for fish respiration. Temperatures along shipping routes are determined each day and heat and ice packs are added to individual boxes as needed. We use Styrofoam inner boxes and corrugated outer cartons for all shipments. A box charge is made depending on the style of shipping container used.

We use all domestic and international airlines, FedEx, UPS, and select trucking companies.

For saltwater fish, we recommend that boxes should be opened and fish be acclimated in low light to reduce fish stress. For most species, bags should be floated for 20 -30 minutes in the tanks that will house them to compensate for water temperature differences. However, if there is any indication that the water has fouled, it is recommended that the bag is floated for no more than 15 minutes and the inhabitant should immediately be released to clean water. It is always recommended that you have an idea of the Salinity and pH of the water used for shipping. This will allow you to adjust your system as necessary. Drastic changes in water quality greatly reduce survivability. For sensitive species, such as starfish and ornamental shrimp we recommend drip acclimation; a process in which water from the system is slowly dripped into the bag. This precaution allows the organism to slowly adjust to the change in water conditions.

For freshwater fish, we recommend that boxes should be opened and fish be acclimated in low light to reduce fish stress. For most species, bags should be floated for 20 -30 minutes in the tanks that will house them to compensate for water temperature differences. However, if there is any indication that the water has fouled, it is recommended that the bag is floated for no more than 15 minutes and the inhabitant should immediately be released to clean water. It is always recommended that you have an idea of the pH of the water used for shipping. This will allow you to adjust your system as necessary. Drastic changes in water quality greatly reduce survivability.