FAQ
IS YOUR ONLINE INVENTORY ACCURATE?
Yes — our website inventory syncs with the store floor automatically, 24/7, and is updated daily. When a fish, coral, or product sells in-store, it's removed from the site in real time, so if you can add it to your cart, it's actually here. Note: adding to cart does not hold an item — complete checkout to secure it. Collector's Vault fish are the exception: they are brought in to order, and we confirm availability after you order.
CAN I PRE-ORDER A FISH THAT'S OUT OF STOCK?
Yes! Out-of-stock listings show the species we regularly carry and can order for you. Pre-orders require no payment up front — just email sales@oceantoyou.com or call 713-724-0979 with the fish you want. We place orders every Friday and shipments arrive every Tuesday. Once your fish is in, healthy, and eating, we'll email you a payment link to complete your order.
WHAT IS THE COLLECTOR'S VAULT?
The Collector's Vault is our selection of rare, hard-to-find fish brought in to order. Place your order and we confirm availability; most Vault fish reach us the day after you order. Choose Conditioned (we hold and inspect the fish for at least 7 days, covered by our Vault guarantee) or Direct (released on arrival at 15% off, sold as-is). All tangs are Conditioned only. Vault fish ship for a flat $100 per order by FedEx Priority Overnight within the continental U.S., or can be picked up in Sugar Land. Full terms: Collector's Vault Shipping & Guarantee.
WHEN DO NEW ARRIVALS HIT THE STORE & WEBSITE?
New fish and coral shipments arrive every Tuesday at 5 AM, and the website is updated daily as fish clear intake — what you see online is true to what's in the store. New products and supplies arrive every Wednesday and go live on the site Wednesday night. Follow @ocean2you on Instagram for arrival announcements, or join our email list at the bottom of the page.
DO YOU OFFER WATER TESTING?
Yes — bring a water sample to our Sugar Land store for digital 8-parameter testing on our AquaSpin machine for $13.99. Stop guessing with cheap test kits: lab-grade results in minutes, reviewed with you by our team so we can pinpoint exactly what's going on in your aquarium.
HOW LONG DOES AN AQUARIUM BUILD TAKE?
Every build is tailored — wavemakers, lighting, filtration, and components selected for your livestock and end goals, so there's no guessing game and no upgrading as you learn. Tailored stand-ready aquarium packages can be delivered in as little as 1 week. Fully custom builds typically take 8 weeks of precise fabrication. Installation is completed in a single day either way.
DO YOU CHARGE FOR CONSULTATIONS?
In-store consultations at our Sugar Land showroom are always free, and remote photo quotes for service are free through our booking form. Design consultations: video consultation $49 (45 minutes, from anywhere); on-site $99 across Greater Houston; on-site $350 for Austin, DFW, San Antonio, and other Texas cities. On-site consultations include a concept rendering of the aquarium in your space. Every consultation fee is credited in full toward your project or first service when you move forward with us, and fees may be waived during select promotions.
DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?
At the moment, No.
WHAT ARE THE PAYMENT OPTIONS?
Credit/Debit Card
PayPal
Check
Cash