Live coral doesn't tolerate a rough trip. Here's exactly how your order gets from our tanks to your doorstep — and what we need from you to make sure it arrives healthy.
Every livestock order ships via UPS Next Day Air — no exceptions, no slower/cheaper options. It's the only service fast enough to keep coral and other livestock safe in transit, and it's built into the price you see at checkout based on your box size and distance from Frankfort, Illinois.
Every livestock order ships in an insulated shipping container, sized to the order and sealed to hold temperature and water securely for the trip. We're not cutting corners on packaging to save a few dollars — the box is doing the hardest job in this whole process.
Livestock orders ship every Monday, arriving Tuesday via UPS Next Day Air. Shipping on a single, consistent day keeps every order out of a UPS facility over a weekend or ahead of a holiday — exactly the kind of delay that puts livestock at risk.
Orders placed by 2:00 PM CST on Monday ship that same day. Orders received after that cutoff go out the following Monday.
Since every shipment arrives Tuesday by default, if that day doesn't work for you — you're traveling, unavailable to sign, or need a different arrival day — call Frank at (815) 534-5849 and we'll do our best to work something out.
Every livestock shipment requires an adult signature at the time of delivery — UPS will not leave the package unattended. That means someone 21 or older needs to be at the delivery address when it arrives.
You're responsible for being available. If you know you won't be home on your scheduled delivery day, reach out to Frank ahead of time — (815) 534-5849 or advancedaquatics1@gmail.com — and we'll work with you on timing. A missed signature can mean a live animal sitting in a UPS truck or facility longer than it should.
Once your order ships, you'll get an automatic email with your UPS tracking number. We also send updates when your package is out for delivery and when it's been delivered — that delivery confirmation is also your reference point for the Live Arrival Guarantee window, so hang onto it.
We guarantee live arrival on coral and other livestock, subject to a few strict conditions — inspect immediately, photo and video within 30 minutes of delivery, and email us within that same window. Full details are on our Returns & Refund Policy page.
Shipping a live animal always comes with a few what-ifs. If you're not sure about timing, your delivery address, or anything else before you check out, just reach out — we'd rather answer a question up front than have an order go sideways in transit.