Shipping Policy

Reef Effect Aquatics takes special care when packing and shipping live animals. Shipping methods and schedules vary depending on the type of livestock or merchandise being purchased.

Coral Shipping

Corals and WYSIWYG corals are generally shipped using 2-day delivery.

Reef Effect Aquatics may upgrade a coral shipment to overnight service or delay shipment when temperatures, severe weather, carrier conditions, livestock health, or other circumstances make doing so appropriate for the safety of the animals.

Fish & Invertebrate Shipping

Live fish and invertebrates are generally shipped using overnight delivery.

Because minimizing time in transit is important for live fish and invertebrates, Reef Effect Aquatics may delay shipment when weather or carrier conditions create an unreasonable risk to the animals.

Mixed Livestock Orders

Orders containing both corals and live fish or invertebrates will generally be shipped using overnight service so that the entire livestock shipment travels using the faster shipping method.

Additional shipping charges may apply when required because of order size, packaging requirements, or multiple shipments.

Livestock Shipping Days

Livestock is generally shipped Monday through Wednesday to reduce the risk of packages being delayed or held by a carrier over a weekend.

Shipment on other days may be available when specifically arranged with Reef Effect Aquatics.

Placing an order does not guarantee that livestock will ship the same day or the following business day.

We may select or coordinate a shipping date based on livestock health, weather, carrier conditions, holidays, and customer availability.

Weather & Temperature Holds

The health and safety of livestock comes first.

Reef Effect Aquatics reserves the right to delay shipment because of extreme heat, extreme cold, severe weather, carrier disruptions, or other conditions that could jeopardize livestock.

A weather hold is not considered a cancellation of the order.

When practical, we will communicate with the customer to arrange an appropriate shipping date.

Receiving Live Shipments

Customers are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address and for monitoring tracking information.

Someone should be available to receive the package at the time of delivery.

Live shipments should be brought indoors and opened promptly after delivery.

A missed delivery attempt, incorrect address, unauthorized rerouting, or failure to promptly retrieve a shipment may affect eligibility under our Live Arrival Guarantee.

Please review our Return, Refund & Live Arrival Guarantee for complete DOA claim requirements.

Carrier Delays

Delivery dates and times provided by shipping carriers are estimates and may occasionally be affected by weather, mechanical issues, operational disruptions, or other circumstances outside Reef Effect Aquatics' control.

Carrier-related livestock issues will be reviewed individually in accordance with our Live Arrival Guarantee.

Shipping Charges

Shipping rates are calculated or displayed during checkout based on the products purchased, destination, selected service, and any applicable shipping promotion.

Shipping charges are generally non-refundable once an order has shipped.

Oversized, unusually heavy, or specially packaged products may require additional shipping charges.

Dry Goods & Reef Effect Products

Dry goods, aquarium accessories, Reef Effect branded products, and other non-livestock merchandise may use standard ground or expedited shipping depending on the item and destination.

Estimated transit times shown at checkout begin after an order has been processed and transferred to the carrier.

Apparel & Swag

Apparel and merchandise may be shipped separately from livestock and other products.

If an order contains products fulfilled from different locations, customers may receive multiple packages and tracking numbers.

Local Pickup

Local pickup may be available in Parker, Colorado by appointment only.

Customers must receive confirmation from Reef Effect Aquatics before arriving for pickup.

Our location is not open for unscheduled walk-in retail visits.

Pickup instructions and an appointment time will be provided after arrangements have been confirmed.

Live Arrival Guarantee

Eligible livestock shipments are protected by the Reef Effect Aquatics Live Arrival Guarantee.

DOA claims must be submitted within 2 hours of the carrier's recorded delivery time and must meet the documentation and eligibility requirements described in our Return, Refund & Live Arrival Guarantee.

Approved DOA claims receive store credit for the purchase price of the affected eligible livestock. Original shipping charges are not credited or refunded.

Contact Us

For shipping questions or to coordinate local pickup:

Reef Effect Aquatics
Parker, Colorado
By Appointment Only

Email: reefeffectltd@gmail.com