The best aquarium supply websites for most hobbyists are Bulk Reef Supply for reef tanks, Amazon for general equipment and consumables, and LiveAquaria for livestock. Each one excels in specific areas, and using two or three of them strategically will save you more money than staying loyal to one.
Shopping online for aquarium supplies beats local pet stores on price and selection in almost every category. But the number of sites has grown considerably, and the quality varies a lot. Some sites have outstanding customer service, fast shipping, and accurate product descriptions. Others have misleading photos, slow fulfillment, and no real expertise behind their recommendations. This guide breaks down the major categories of aquarium supply websites and what each one does best.
General Aquarium Supply Websites
These sites carry everything from tanks and filters to food and test kits.
Amazon
Amazon's aquarium section is massive and worth using for anything that doesn't require live shipping. You'll find Fluval, Eheim, API, Seachem, Aqueon, and hundreds of other brands, often 15-25% cheaper than local stores. The customer review system is genuinely useful for aquarium equipment. Reading through 200+ reviews on a canister filter before buying tells you things a product description never would, like whether the impeller breaks after six months or whether the priming mechanism is actually reliable.
The downsides: Amazon lists some counterfeit products, particularly in the lighting and pump categories. Stick to items sold and fulfilled directly by Amazon or by established brands. Third-party sellers with few reviews and suspiciously low prices on recognizable brand names are risky.
Petco and PetSmart Online
Both chains have improved their online selections. They run frequent 10-15% off coupons that can make sense for large purchases. Their real value is price-matching and the option to return in-store, which matters if you're buying a large tank and worried about shipping damage.
They're not strong on specialty items. If you keep a reef tank or a planted tank with demanding plants, you'll quickly hit the limits of what they carry.
That Fish Place / That Pet Place
Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, That Fish Place (now part of Petco) built a strong reputation over decades for broad selection and competitive pricing. Their livestock section is particularly well-regarded. For dry goods, they're competitive but not always the cheapest.
Reef-Specific Aquarium Supply Websites
Reef keeping has several dedicated sites that general pet retailers can't match for depth of selection or expertise.
Bulk Reef Supply (BRS)
BRS is the dominant reef supply site for a reason. Their house-brand two-part calcium and alkalinity supplements are a fraction of the cost of name-brand equivalents and work just as well for most systems. They stock major brands like Nyos, Maxspect, Aqua Illumination, Neptune Systems, and Apex controllers in depth.
Their YouTube channel is legitimately excellent, with detailed comparison videos on equipment they actually sell. Watching BRS test videos before buying a protein skimmer or return pump is worth your time.
Shipping is free on orders over $29. For consumables you buy regularly, setting up repeat shipments through their subscription service saves an additional 5%.
Marine Depot
Marine Depot was acquired by BRS's parent company but still operates as a separate site with overlapping inventory. Check both sites before buying, since pricing on specific items sometimes differs.
Planted Tank Aquarium Supply Websites
Aquarium Co-Op
Aquarium Co-Op runs both a YouTube channel and an online store with a focus on freshwater planted tanks and fish. Their house-brand Easy Green fertilizer and Easy Carbon are well-reviewed and priced competitively. The site is particularly good if you're newer to planted tanks because the product descriptions are written to actually help you make decisions rather than just list specifications.
The Salty Underground
Better known for corals than plants, but their frag selection is strong if you're propagating a reef.
Live Fish and Plant Websites
LiveAquaria
LiveAquaria (operated by Petco) is the largest online source for livestock. Their selection of freshwater and saltwater fish is genuinely impressive, and they offer a 14-day guarantee that covers losses during that window as long as water parameters are acceptable. It's the best guarantee you'll find from a major retailer.
For planted tank hobbyists, their plant section is decent but not specialized. You'll find common species reliably; rare species require a specialty plant vendor.
Aquatic Arts
Aquatic Arts specializes in shrimp, small fish, and specialty invertebrates. If you keep a shrimp tank or nano tank, their selection of Neocaridina and Caridina varieties is hard to match elsewhere.
What to Look for in Any Aquarium Supply Website
Before buying from a site you haven't used before, check these things:
Return and DOA policies. Any site selling livestock should have a same-day DOA guarantee requiring photo documentation within 2 hours of delivery. Equipment returns should be accepted within at least 30 days for defective items.
Shipping speed and options. Live animals ship via overnight or 2-day air. Ground shipping for livestock almost always means losses. Equipment ships fine via ground, but check estimated delivery times before ordering something time-sensitive.
Customer service contact options. Sites with only a contact form and no phone number are often slower to resolve issues. For expensive equipment purchases, prefer sites where you can reach someone by phone.
For a detailed breakdown of specific products worth buying, see our guide to Best Aquarium Equipment.
Saving Money Across Multiple Aquarium Supply Websites
The best approach is to know which sites to use for what:
- Consumables in bulk (Prime, fertilizers, salt mix, filter media): Amazon or BRS for best per-unit price
- Equipment (filters, heaters, lights): Compare Amazon, BRS, and manufacturer direct
- Livestock: LiveAquaria, Aquatic Arts, or local fish club classifieds
- Specialty items (controllers, dosing pumps, calcium reactors): BRS or manufacturer direct
Setting up price alerts through CamelCamelCamel for anything over $50 is worth the two minutes it takes. Aquarium equipment goes on legitimate sale 3-4 times per year, and waiting for a sale on a protein skimmer or canister filter can save $30-80.
Check the Top Aquarium Equipment page for recommendations on specific products across all major categories.
FAQ
Which aquarium supply website has the best prices overall?
There's no single winner. Amazon is typically cheapest for branded equipment and small accessories. BRS wins on reef supplements and salt mix in bulk. For livestock, pricing across LiveAquaria, Aquatic Arts, and local fish stores varies so much by species that comparison shopping is essential.
Are aquarium supply websites reliable for live plants?
Reliability varies significantly. Aquarium Co-Op, Buceplant, and Planted Aquarium are generally well-reviewed for plant quality and packing. Generic marketplace sellers often send plants with pests, algae, or in poor condition. Reading reviews specifically about plant quality (not just shipping speed) before ordering is worth doing.
How do I know if an aquarium supply website is legitimate?
Look for a verifiable physical address, a working phone number, and readable return policies. Check Google Reviews and hobbyist forums like Reef2Reef, The Planted Tank, or Reddit's r/Aquariums for experiences from other buyers. Sites that have been operating for 5+ years with consistent reviews are much lower risk than newer operations.
Is it worth paying for express shipping on aquarium equipment?
Usually not, unless you have fish in a container with a failed heater or filter. Most aquarium equipment ships fine via ground freight in 3-5 days. The exception is live animals, which must ship via overnight or 2-day air regardless of cost. Factor shipping cost into your total price comparison, since some sites offer free ground shipping above a threshold.