WYSIWYG transparency
Every WYSIWYG coral is individually photographed in our aquaculture systems, so you see the exact piece you’re choosing. No stock photos and no surprises.
Shop WYSIWYG coralsAbout Top Shelf Aquatics
We built Top Shelf Aquatics so reef hobbyists can shop with confidence.
More than a decade ago, we opened a small coral store in Central Florida with a simple idea: reefers deserve healthy, carefully inspected corals, accurate photos and a shopping experience that brings livestock and equipment together in one trusted place.
Our story
How TSA started
More than a decade ago, we kept seeing the same problems repeat themselves. Hobbyists would order corals that looked incredible online, only to receive pieces that arrived stressed, covered in pests or nothing like the photos. Shipments showed up DOA, and there was very little confidence in how corals were sourced or grown.
We wanted to change that. So we started Top Shelf Aquatics, built a coral farm and focused on doing things the right way, even when it meant taking the longer path. That meant growing corals in-house, investing in proper systems and husbandry, and treating reefers more like partners than customers.
What we kept seeing
- Corals that looked nothing like their photos
- Pieces that arrived stressed or covered in pests
- Shipments that showed up DOA
- Little confidence in how corals were sourced or grown
What we built instead
- Our own coral farm, with corals grown in-house
- Proper systems and husbandry, even on the longer path
- Individually photographed WYSIWYG corals
- Reefers treated like partners, not just customers
Today
TSA runs 30,000–40,000 gallons of dedicated aquaculture systems, cared for daily by an experienced team of reefers and marine biologists, so hobbyists can choose tank-grown coral with confidence.
Our standards
What makes Top Shelf Aquatics different
Our approach is built on a few simple principles: grow coral the right way, photograph what we actually sell, keep frags healthy and closely inspected for pests, and be honest about lineage and sourcing. These pillars shape how we run the farm every day.
Aquacultured sustainability
30,000–40,000 gallons of dedicated water volume let us grow corals long term, reduce reliance on wild collection and offer traceable, tank-grown colonies.
Healthy, closely inspected frags
Our systems are designed around coral health, stability and cleanliness. Every coral goes through long-term grow-out and is monitored for health and pests before it’s offered for sale.
Collector verification
Whether it’s SPS, LPS or soft coral, our long-term grow-out and documented lineage have made TSA a frequently cited source for coral verification across the reefing community.
Explore TSA Signature coralsFarm to tank
Healthy, inspected corals from farm to tank
We know how frustrating it is to introduce pests or unhealthy frags into a reef you’ve spent years building. That’s why every coral follows the same careful path before it reaches you.
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Grown out long term
Corals are propagated from mother colonies and raised long term in our controlled farm systems.
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Observed in stages
Our team monitors each coral for growth, color, health and pests, giving frags time to heal, encrust and show polyp extension.
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Photographed individually
WYSIWYG corals are photographed one by one, so you choose the exact piece you’ll receive.
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Packed to arrive alive
Each piece is handled with care and packed in-house for survival and low stress, backed by our arrive alive guarantee.
Inside our farm systems
- 30,000–40,000 gallons of aquaculture
- Redundant equipment
- Radion LEDs & metal halides
- Precise dosing
- Daily care by reefers & marine biologists
One trusted place
Integrated shopping for reefers
We wanted shopping for your reef to feel simple and connected. Choose coral, fish and equipment in one place, backed by the same systems we trust on our own farm.
WYSIWYG corals
Direct from our aquaculture systems and photographed piece by piece.
Shop WYSIWYGTSA Signature corals
Named strains propagated and grown through multiple generations on our farm.
Shop SignatureFish & invertebrates
Saltwater livestock chosen to work with your corals in real reef setups.
Shop fish & invertsDry goods & equipment
Equipment, foods and additives selected by active reefers.
Shop suppliesAfter you order
How we support your reef
Our arrive alive guarantee and responsive support team are here to help if anything goes wrong.
- Arrive alive guaranteeEvery live order is covered on arrival. See how it works.
- Reef Guard protectionExtend coverage to 5 days for corals and 3 days for fish, with priority support.
- Help CenterAnswers on shipping, livestock care, orders and more.
- Talk to our teamQuestions about livestock or gear? Call or message the store.
Visit us
Visit our retail store
Stop by to see our corals, fish and equipment in person, or walk the farm and talk reefing with our team.
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Top Shelf Aquatics
7250 Aloma Ave, Suite 102
Winter Park, FL 32792 - 407-677-REEF (7333)
Farm access can depend on daily operations, so call ahead if a farm visit is the main reason for your trip. Local pickup is also available at checkout when the option appears for your cart.
Ready to build your reef?
Shop tank-grown corals, marine livestock and equipment from a team of reefers who care for our farm every day.
Answers
Top Shelf Aquatics FAQs
Does Top Shelf Aquatics grow and aquaculture its own corals?
Yes. Top Shelf Aquatics runs its own coral farm in Central Florida, with 30,000–40,000 gallons of water dedicated to coral aquaculture and grow-out. We propagate corals from mother colonies kept in those systems and grow them out long term before they are offered for sale, which reduces reliance on wild collection and lets us document the lineage of what we sell. Our TSA Signature strains are named, propagated, and grown through multiple generations on the farm, and after more than 14 years, our grow-out and documented lineage have made TSA a frequently cited source for coral verification. You can see the farm in person at our retail store at 7250 Aloma Ave, Suite 102, Winter Park, FL 32792.
How does Top Shelf Aquatics ensure coral health and quality before shipping?
Every coral goes through long-term grow-out and observation in our farm systems before it is listed for sale. Those systems are built for stability, with redundant equipment, consistent lighting from a blend of Radion LEDs and metal halides, and precise dosing, and our team monitors each coral for growth, color, health, and pests over several stages. Frags are given time to heal, encrust, and show polyp extension before they are offered, and WYSIWYG corals are photographed individually so you choose the exact piece.
Orders are packed in-house in double-sealed bags inside insulated boxes with heat or cold packs as the season requires, and ship FedEx Priority Overnight Monday through Thursday after we check weather and transit conditions. Every shipment is backed by our arrive alive guarantee, explained in our shipping policy.
Can I visit the Top Shelf Aquatics store and coral farm?
Yes. Visit our retail store at 7250 Aloma Ave, Suite 102, Winter Park, FL 32792 to see corals, fish and equipment in person and talk reefing with our team. Farm access can depend on daily operations, so call 407-677-REEF (7333) or check our contact page before traveling if a farm visit is the main purpose of your trip. Local pickup is also available at checkout when the option appears for your cart.
What does Top Shelf Aquatics sell?
Our livestock selection is marine-focused: aquacultured corals, saltwater fish and saltwater invertebrates. We don’t sell freshwater livestock. Our retail store and website also carry equipment, foods, additives and supplies for reef and marine aquariums.