Reflecting on high dollar frags

Briney Dave · May 21, 2007

I have to admit that I was a little disappointed by the conversation on the high dollar frag. Dissappointed both by the attitude of the seller and by how quick nerves got fryed by it.

I am not going to knock guys who have to have the latest, greatest, rarest, or what everest. Nor if they want to brag a bit about it. (could have been done in a nicer way but that is just me)

For me; many a hard, bad day has been eased by sitting down next to my little slice of the reef and enjoying the simple beauty these primative creatures give. And to be honest I never paid more than 20 for any frag of any coral yet my tank looks pretty cool.

I say thank you to all those who trade, thanks to all those who have given someone their first coral frag, thanks to all who share the love and peace this hobby is all about.

keep up with the Jones if you must but don't complain about if that is the path you select.

your pal
Briney Dave

revhtree · May 21, 2007

Ok come out boxing, but keep it clean! Now touch gloves.....

da6d2003 · May 21, 2007

Well said Briney.

Hopkins · May 21, 2007

I agree. I think I have lost touch with the real reason I started this hobby. It wasn't to acquire the rarest and most expensive specimens I could find. I saw a tank with nothing more than xenia and sinularia. This tank was the most beautiful tank I have ever seen, corals were swaying side to side. Fish were swimming everywhere. Thats why I put my first tank up.

impur · May 21, 2007

I don't even put a value on the corals i have. If someone wants something i have and asks how much, i just ask what they have to trade. If they don't have anything i give them a deal they can't get anywhere else. I know it will come back to me in the future when they have something i want. If not, eh. I'll trade high dollar polyps for lessor ones anyday, especially if its something i have been searching for or don't have.

I'm always giving away small frags to new ppl in my club that i visit or come visit my place. Its more fun when we both can enjoy it.

Briney Dave · May 22, 2007

Hopkins, the same thing was starting to happen to me too. I was getting mad reading the read about that frag in question and then thought why? its cool that he and a few others have something rare like that. (I can not see the frag due to school filtering) but I am sure by the reactions that its pretty neat looking.
I am sure he is, by far, not the only one to be sitting on a very rare coral and not really in a mood to share.
I was slapping myself for being green about it. (uncool)

My pico is finally finished being cycled and I am ready to start stocking. I am thinking now an ode to the simple. A couple montipora digis for height in the the wider rock and some palys and just three or four varieties of zoas for color and texture balance.

This is my personal tank so I get to pick of a change what goes in and why

your pal
Briney

hexedagain · May 22, 2007

I just wonder how much the $1000 man paid for his polyps?????
I will bet it was nowhere close to $1000 per polyp.
You can ask whatever you want for this polyp, it is a free Country . Even though there is a sucker born every minute, you will have to wait for them to grow up and get great jobs to buy these "rare" polyps.

Briney Dave · May 22, 2007

My point is; does it really make your tank better or your love of the tank more by having this guy's frag?. So what if I have a zoa that you don't or vice versa. Its cool to trade and talk with other collectors. I would love to have examples of every zoa found in nature that will live fine in a home aquarium.
The bottom line for me is that I am not going to get caught up in what the Jones of the world have or think is cool this week.

ZooYorkUnderworld · May 22, 2007

well said everybody! I also want to give kudo's to the sponsor elitereefs for trying to get a hold of the situation- $10 frags hmmmmm...
granted I do not blame anybody for trying to get the loot(sorry Im from NY:hammer: ) but at the same time it has really gotten and gone overboard.
I myself have never dealt with elitereefs or have even sent an e-mail, my point is that atleast they are trying to kill the $30-$1000 polyp craze and while they are only 1 of a few that are doing so, IMHO I feel thats why they will stay in business because the $1000 per polyp craze is killing the hobbie because I for one will not buy from a vendor today when I can wait it out and get from a hobbiest because I know that the quality and price will be well worth the wait. If prices came down vendors would IMO would benefit in the long run and have a higher turnover rate.......my 2cents not to :horse:

divecj5 · May 22, 2007

Totally agree Dave and I think your original post in this thread completely reflects my feelings for this hobby. I started this hobby because as a marine scientist, my love for the ocean and marine organisms lead me to always want a saltwater aquarium while I was growing up.

Now that I finally have a somewhat decent paying job, I was finally able to start up my tank. I am getting ready to downsize from my 55 gallon and at the most I had 5 morphs, a frogspawn that I grew out, some xenia, anthelia, and an acan frag that when I got it only had 3 polyps (now has about 30). I have gotten no more satisfaction than just sitting back in my chair at the end of the day and watching the clowns swim around in a nice, healthy, environment.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to have some of the amazing corals that people have and get but then again, i would love to have a 3,000 square foot house and a 1969 camaro but it's just not in the cards

I think that a lot of people get into the hobby for all the right reasons and there are only really a few bad eggs that spoil it for everyone...just like everything.

Everyone is awesome here about what they get and willingness to trade and sell. That's why people join here and stay over on this side of the internet.

Leishman · May 22, 2007

Both DC area clubs (WAMAS.org and CMAS-MD.org) have a forum called "Share the Wealth and Propogate". It's a place where reefers give away frags on the premis that who ever claims the freebie has to put the 1st available frag of their frag back in to the 'Share the Wealth and Propogate' circle.

Hell, I'll do it here.

I'll give away (you pay shipping, unless you live in DC and can pick up) ~10 polyps of the below zo's to the 1st one to reply (143gadgests is exempt from this offer, he gets too many freebies from me)

-Rik

revhtree · May 22, 2007

I'll take it!

revhtree · May 22, 2007

WOOT did I get it???

Leishman · May 22, 2007

Guess so.

That being said, who ever else wants some, they will be $1,000,000.00 per ployp.

revhtree · May 22, 2007

Ok I can't win, I want someone else to get it so its still up!

Hopkins · May 22, 2007

Nice frag!

anomie · May 22, 2007

Raises hand slowly....

Randy · May 22, 2007

That sounds good I will be willing to do it.count me in.

anomie · May 22, 2007

I was lucky enough to hear Calfo speak at an event this weekend and his speech about the impact of collecting certian corals/animals was very thought provoking.

I really like the idea of "Share the Wealth and Propogate". I'm going to suggest something along this line to my local reef clubs.