About the Vendor:
If you’ve spend any time on the popular Reef2Reef forum, then you’ve likely stumbled across posts made by TCK Corals. While he may be known as The Coral Kings in online reefing circles, we know him as Dan Lacitignola.
In a marketplace filled with unsavory characters, finding a vendor like Dan is a breath of fresh air. We’ve known about The Coral Kings for a little while, so when the opportunity came to review his corals, we were delighted.
Unlike faceless businesses who proclaim their coral to be brilliant specimens, Dan doesn’t hide behind the veil of corporate anonymity. As an active member in the reefing community, Dan not only distributes quality coral frags, but tirelessly works to spread knowledge and awareness.
Quality is more than just about product integrity. Genuine quality comes from passion and dedication, which are two qualities Dan Lacitignola has in overwhelming supply.
Make sure to follow Dan on Reef2Reef (Username: TCK Corals) to learn more about his process and tap into his vast array of reefing knowledge.
How To Order:
The purchasing process from The Coral Kings is a beautiful demonstration of his personal commitment to the reefing hobby. Instead of ordering via a generic marketplace, where vendor-customer communication is severely limited, purchasing from Dan is a personable experience.
There are two ways to order from Dan:
Method #1 - Facebook Private Message
Instead of only concerning himself with making a sale, Dan’s commitment to our beloved hobby and community is apparent by his preferred ordering method: Facebook messaging.
To order, head to his Facebook Page (dlacitignola), and send him a private message describing the type of coral you want. Dan’s incredibly responsive, so expect a reply shortly thereafter.
Dan’s more than happy to assist you throughout the selection process and is the epitome of quality customer service. Simply detail your tank, desired look and budget. Dan will take it from here with recommendations and advice only a true professional would know.
While this method isn’t standard, it should be. Knowing who you’re getting corals from is pivotal for both quality assurance and questions about the product/ordering process. Immediately upon his reply, you’ll understand why Dan’s considered one of the most trusted resources in our community.
Method #2 - Official SPS Frag Swap Page
If you aren’t a member of the Official SPS Frag Swap Page on Facebook, then you’re missing out on one of the greatest resources in the reefing community.
Owned by Mike Biggar, who’s among the most trusted and knowledgable pros in the reefing industry, this auction-based marketplace is the greatest resource for corals. Not only is it operated by passionate and helpful reefers, but it’s an excellent place to uncover simply breathtaking coral specimens.
Considering its reputation as the leading online auction for the greatest coral vendors, it’s no surprise The Coral Kings holds a prominent seat in its fellowship.
Check out the current offerings by Dan, and get ready to be blown away by the amazing SPS package deals. This may be the coolest buying hacks in the entire industry, but don’t simply take our word. Visit the Official SPS Frag Swap and see what you’ve been missing!
Shipping:
Shipping makes or breaks vendor quality. After all, it doesn’t matter how brilliant the coral may be if it’s broken or damaged upon arrival.
Not only is ordering from Dan a pleasure, but his efficient and protective shipping protocol is among the best we’ve seen. Here’s a brief rundown of our shipping experience:
Package arrived in a standard cardboard box marked with the necessary precaution statements, “Handle With Care”, “Perishable”, etc.
- Upon opening the box, individual frags were securely packaged in double-sealed water bags (with identifier tags).
- Bags were leak-free and placed together to prevent moving during shipment.
- Frags are attached to black frag plugs and the plugs are easily breakable, which reduces coral stress when transferring into its habitat.
- Coral is safeguarded from damage or trauma with a small plastic cup protector.
Corals:
Now, let’s get to the good stuff. Upon opening the double-bagged coral, we were blown away its the beauty and coloration. The quality of coral were exactly as described by Dan, which is a rarity in the coral vendor industry.
Here’s our rundown of coral appearance and health:
- Each coral was 100% healthy (i.e., no tissue loss or damage).
- Frag sizes varied from medium to surprisingly large.
- Upon closer inspection, all frags were fully healed and encrusted.
- After dipping, we experience zero pest or hitchhiker issues (100% clean).
- From night one, there was amazing polyp extension within each frag.
- (frags on the photos - 30 mins. after the delivery. )
Official Reef Hacks Recommended Vendor.
Summary:
In the quest to locate healthy, beautiful and safe coral frags, we’ve encountered a host of overpromising, but underdelivering, vendors.
We’re proud to say, Dan Lacitignola is one of the greats in the coral vendor industry.
From his dedication to spreading knowledge about our beloved hobby, to his dedication for shipping quality coral, if you order from Dan, you’re ordering from a true master reefer.
It’s with great excitement to announce Dan Lacitignola as an Official Reef Hacks Recommended Vendor.
