INSIDE THE STORE
A look inside The Reefer Garden
Get a feel for our space, livestock systems, and the reef community we serve every day.
Northeast Arkansas's premier saltwater aquarium destination. Located inside Emerald's Triangle in Brookland.
The Reefer Garden is a passionate local saltwater aquarium store specializing in high-end and everyday corals, vibrant marine fish, and everything you need to build and maintain a thriving reef ecosystem.
We are proud to serve the Northeast Arkansas reefing community from our beautiful location inside Emerald's Triangle on Highway 49 in Brookland.
Curated selection of the healthiest livestock, corals, freshwater fish & plants.
Hundreds of high-quality frags and colonies — SPS, LPS, soft corals, and rare designer pieces. Fresh arrivals weekly.
Premium clownfish, tangs, angels, wrasses, and more. All livestock is carefully selected for health and vibrancy.
Beautiful bubble tip anemones, rock flowers, and a wide variety of clean-up crew and interesting invertebrates.
Quality equipment, test kits, salt, additives, and friendly expert advice to help your reef thrive.
Healthy freshwater fish, live plants, and everything you need for a thriving planted or community freshwater aquarium.
11131 US 49 N, Brookland, AR • Goobertown area between Paragould & Jonesboro
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Get a feel for our space, livestock systems, and the reef community we serve every day.
A quick guide from The Reefer Garden to help your coral thrive after shipping.
Overnight shipping is stressful. Adding a freshwater dip right away can cause osmotic shock and increase the risk of tissue loss or coral death. Please follow the steps below.
Live corals experience significant stress during overnight shipping (temperature fluctuations, waste buildup, and handling).
A freshwater dip causes sudden osmotic shock on top of that stress — many corals (especially sensitive SPS like Acropora) do not handle this well immediately after shipping.
Major coral vendors and experienced reefers recommend letting corals recover in tank water first, then dipping if needed for pests. This greatly improves survival rates.
Float the sealed bag in your tank (lights off or dim). This is the gentlest first step.
Do NOT pour the shipping water into your tank. Gently remove the coral (handle by frag plug only).
Use a turkey baster with clean tank water to gently blow off loose debris or mucus from the coral.
Option A (Safest): Place directly in your tank on a lower frag rack or sandbed with moderate flow. Let it recover 6–24 hours before any dip.
Option B: Short dip (5–10 min) in tank water + commercial coral dip (e.g. Coral RX), then rinse and place low in tank.
If you suspect pests (flatworms, etc.), perform a proper dip after the coral has recovered. We recommend commercial coral dips over plain freshwater. For Acropora-eating flatworms, KCl dips are popular and effective.
Start new corals low in the tank (lower light & flow). Gradually move them up over 1–2 weeks. Watch for stress signs (retraction, color loss, tissue issues) and test parameters.
We’re passionate about healthy reefs and want your coral to thrive. Your success is our success.
This guide is provided with every live coral shipment. Version June 2026 • Happy Reefing!
Our comprehensive guide to building and maintaining a thriving reef aquarium. Written for beginners and intermediate reefers who want clear, practical advice.
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Stop by The Reefer Garden today. Our knowledgeable team is here to help you every step of the way.