Here is the Info that Applies To Normal Times:99% of orders are shipped via FedEx and the USPS (United States Postal Service). A few items, such as very large chillers (1HP and above & Red Sea Reefer Aquariums), are shipped via trucking companies such as Yellow Freight and R&L Carriers.
On business days (Monday through Friday, non-holidays), if we have the item in stock, orders are shipped within one business day. We typically will ship orders we receive before 2 PM (Arizona time) on the day we receive the order (M-F). Weekend orders are usually shipped on Monday if they are shipped FedEx, but smaller orders placed before 2 PM on Saturday are shipped through the USPS on Saturday. In general, we do our best to ship as quickly as possible.
Larger Items Are Shipped FedEx
Large items are shipped FedEx. These items are typically bigger than a big shoe box or longer than 36 inches. This includes all aquariums, larger lights and bulbs, chillers, most protein skimmers, canister filters and larger UVs. Consult the FedEx Shipping map below for the exact shipping time to your area.
Smaller Items Are Shipped USPSSmaller packages are shipped through the United States Postal Service. Unfortunately, we can't show a map of USPS delivery times because it's so unpredictable and complicated. However, in general, the USPS packages arrive quicker than with FedEx.
We ship USPS packages First Class, Parcel Post and Priority. Going to the East, sometimes these packages arrive in one or two business days, but sometimes they arrive in three, four or five business days.
In general, the smallest orders are the ones that take the longest. We have to ship these orders First Class rather than Priority (
which is more dependable) because there is no way we can break even shipping a $5 part (
that cost us $3.25) for $5.99 when the minimum Priority Mail shipping cost is $8. If you are in a hurry to get a replacement part, and don't want to pay for expedited shipping, add some consumables to the order so we can afford to ship the order Priority Mail or through FedEx. Once you reach $49, orders are shipped for free.
General Overall Shipping TimesThe map below shows overall expected shipping times.This map combines the FedEx and USPS orders. Keep in mind that these are business days. Also keep in mind that these days the USPS, though quite fast on average, is very inconsistent. Often USPS orders to the East and South arrive in two business days, but sometimes packages are misrouted and take two weeks. If you absolutely must have an order at a certain time, we recommend you pay for expedited shipping (
covered in the following section).
Expedited OrdersExpedited orders are sent via FedEx.
Expedited Orders Times:- FedEx Priority Overnight takes one business day. Packages will be delivered by 10:30 AM, but there are some remote areas where the package will not be delivered until 5:00 PM.
- FedEx Standard Overnight takes one business day. Packages will be delivered to most areas by 3:00 PM, but there are some rural areas where it will not be delivered until 5:00 PM.
- FedEx 2Day takes two business days. Packages will be delivered to a business by 4:30 PM and to residences by 7:00 PM.
- FedEx Express Saver takes three business day, and will be delivered to a business by 4:30 PM and a residence by 7:00 PM.
Please keep in mind that business days (
for expedited shipments) are Monday through Friday, non-holidays. For example:
An order placed on Wednesday after 2PM using FedEx Express Saver will not arrive until the following Tuesday (or later if any of the weekdays are holidays). Some people get upset and want to know why their 3-Day order seemed to take six days. Keep in mind that every business has a shipping cutoff time. Ours is 2PM. If you order on Wednesday after 2 PM, the order will ship on Thursday. Three
business days later is Tuesday. Business day one is Friday, business day two is Monday and business day three is Tuesday.
Although FedEx does have a Saturday delivery service and Saturday pickup, for various reasons we do not use these services.
TrackingWe'll have the USPS, FedEx or marineandreef.com Email you a tracking number on the evening of the day your order ships. FedEx tracking number can be checked at
http://www.fedex.com/Tracking. USPS orders can be tracked at
http://trkcnfrm1.smi.usps.com/PTSInternetWeb/InterLabelInquiry.do. You can also just enter a tracking number into Google.