Does anybody feel me?

[Dana Jackson]

Nice.....just got back into hobby after 20 yrs....this time with my 12yr old daughter. Who would have thought learning life lessons as well as reefkeeping!!!
Only R2R.

Congrats on returning! I just came back as well, after 10 years! And yes, I think there are life lessons everywhere, everyday. You just have to look for them. And sometimes you don't! Good luck on your new reef! Would love to see pics!

 

[Reefer1978]

I share any frag with a friend, I actually don't even share but ask them to wash their hands, go into the tank and frag is themselves. You are not alone.

 

[becks]

My friend is starting a tank up later on in the year, I'm going to give him a heater, power head and I've kept lots of rock from my downsize so he can pick what he wants, then once he's up ready for coral I'll give him lots of frags.

 

[Dana Jackson]

My friend is starting a tank up later on in the year, I'm going to give him a heater, power head and I've kept lots of rock from my downsize so he can pick what he wants, then once he's up ready for coral I'll give him lots of frags.

That's awesome! You are a good friend to have!

 

[Florida Sunshine]

I've found that most people in this hobby are willing to help each other out. Particularly with corals that grow quickly. The more expensive corals not so much unless you are good friends, but I have had strangers I met at events offer me free frags of fast growing softies and a friend that got mad at me for buying xenia at the LFS.

 

[Dana Jackson]

I've found that most people in this hobby are willing to help each other out. Particularly with corals that grow quickly. The more expensive corals not so much unless you are good friends, but I have had strangers I met at events offer me free frags of fast growing softies and a friend that got mad at me for buying xenia at the LFS.

I had a similar experience years ago. My sister was part of the Atlanta Reef Club and I had a small system as well. She brought me with her to one of the meetings and I ended up with some free frags and some chemicals for free. And I wasn't even a member of the club. Everyone was so nice, then we all went for dinner together. Ill never forget how kind they were to me!

 

[Larry L]

One of our local clubs has a program called DBTC ("don't break the chain", which I'm sure was copied from another club), but the idea is that you pass along free frags to others with the intent they will pay it forward later and pass along more free frags when that coral grows up. It's great way to share the wealth, get newbies up to speed (frags are categorized as easy/medium/difficult), and get to know people in the club. Plus, in case of a loss of a coral or even a tank crash, there's a good change you can find free replacements out there from all the stuff you've given away.

 

[saltnewb]

you are not crazy! looks like a lot of people commenting on here are not crazy as well and are just as generous. So nice to see a community that doesn't always count the cost when doing something for someone else. Hopefully your friend will realize that as well and understands that we can give gifts without strings attached.

 

[Cary Meredith]

good, I believe both ways ok, so it's good to give but remember your not going to give away an expensive frag, inexpensive toadstools or softies are great I have in the past, but don't get to generous and have them ask for everything.....

 

[Dana Jackson]

One of our local clubs has a program called DBTC ("don't break the chain", which I'm sure was copied from another club), but the idea is that you pass along free frags to others with the intent they will pay it forward later and pass along more free frags when that coral grows up. It's great way to share the wealth, get newbies up to speed (frags are categorized as easy/medium/difficult), and get to know people in the club. Plus, in case of a loss of a coral or even a tank crash, there's a good change you can find free replacements out there from all the stuff you've given away.

That is such a wonderful idea!!!

 

[lambchops]

My local form has a section called "frag it forward" it's pretty awesome giving stuff away on it. Then it comes to the honor system of giving frags away when they grow in their system.

 

[ThunderGoose]

Wow. It's great to know there are such nice people out there. I'm new and I don't know anyone else in the hobby (there's a local club but I haven't been able to make any meetings yet) BUT there are local folks who are sharing easy frags very, very cheap. Not sure what their motives are but I've been able to get some bargains, which I really appreciate.

I would never even consider charging a friend who was starting out for frags. It just wouldn't cross my mind. In fact I have a friend I'm hoping to rope into the hobby once he buys a house and I have some spare equipment in the basement with his name on it.

 

[Rybren]

When I started in this hobby, folks would routinely give me extra freebie frags when I bought some from them. I've been paying this forward ever since. They don't have to be friends, or even people that I've met before. Just being in the hobby is good enough for me.

A few weeks ago, a fellow in one of the local Facebook groups reported that his tank had crashed due to a heater malfunction. He had rebuilt his system and was looking to buy some cheap frags. I had him over to the house and fragged a dozen or so corals for him and told him I didn't want anything for them. I just asked him to help out someone else if the opportunity presents itself.

To me, this is what the hobby is all about.

 

[Watevadog5]

I have a friend who has given me hundreds of dollars of frags. He is so much more experienced, and its hard to repay him. Once and a while I will leave money right outside his house and call him when I leave so he can't say no. Once I got him a gift card for a LFS. It means so much to me and I can never stop thanking him.

 

[Paul B]

I agree 100%. Over the many years I have had many frags, sponges, gorgonians and fish which have gotten to big so I give them away. I have never sold anything in my tank that I can think of and never will. But I do realize some people have to sell stuff to support themselves or their hobby and I don't see anything wrong with that. I have bought many things from members on here and other forums.

 

[cmcoker]

I have put up free frags of monti plate and softies, the problem I have run into is people not showing up or asking me to drive 45 minute to deliver it to them...
I don't offer any on the forums anymore.. I'll post it for trade or cheap. I guess if their willing to pay a little they really want it and don't mind driving to get it.
I wouldn't ever charge a friend, and they'll generally show up!

 

[Roy 9121]

Maybe I go too deep here, but I was having a discussion with a friend tonight and offered him my frag that my toadstool is getting ready to drop. I already have 2 in my tank and don't want to over crowd my nano. He asked how much... I said not one dime. He just couldn't believe that I would just give him a frag for free. I explained that I would never and have never charged for frags. In my opinion your friend will always look at that coral and remember you. That it was a gift, and not see a price tag. Would you sell your friend a flower?Probably not. Same idea here. I believe some people really lose sight about the true meaning of friends. Even the friends we have only one thing in common with, reefing. I look at my tank and think about how amazing it is and what a privilege to have such an entire ecosystem in a glass box in my living room. How one being relies on Another to survive, and vise versa. Its just awesome. How we are all connected and rely on each other. Marriages and friendships are partnerships. You help each other out. Same with reef tank mates. Maybe its my Native American heritage coming out in me, but its all a very spiritual experience for me. Anyone feel the same way? Just curious if Im crazy or not...LOL.

I guess it would depend on the frag, and how good a friend he/she was.

 

[Dana Jackson]

When I started in this hobby, folks would routinely give me extra freebie frags when I bought some from them. I've been paying this forward ever since. They don't have to be friends, or even people that I've met before. Just being in the hobby is good enough for me.

A few weeks ago, a fellow in one of the local Facebook groups reported that his tank had crashed due to a heater malfunction. He had rebuilt his system and was looking to buy some cheap frags. I had him over to the house and fragged a dozen or so corals for him and told him I didn't want anything for them. I just asked him to help out someone else if the opportunity presents itself.

To me, this is what the hobby is all about.

That's totally awesome of you!!

 

[Chain]

I couldn't imagine charging a friend for a frag. You did the right thing!