What to do when you cannot get rid of corals?

[nea]

So I have a Reefer 250 that has been running for about 5+ years and I have reached a point where I am needing to cut back corals because things are crowding each other out. The issues are these:

a. taking to a local store gives very low ball store credit
b. selling through an app like facebook marketplace or offer up got lots of views but no interest
c. shipping is not plausible or is cost prohibitive
d. not particularly fond of throwing coral in the trash

what does everyone else do when they reach this point?

 

[ColoredRock]

Hard problems to have... if you cant give it away to locals. Bleach, rinse, air dry, rinse.. hammer.. Calcium reactor... go all soylent green!!!!

 

[ColoredRock]

^ was joking.. not sure if that would even be feasible.

 

[kdx7214]

You could offer them for something like $5 + shipping/handling. I know shipping is insane right now, but many corals are stupidly expensive and this might get some attention for you. That's assuming you have the time/resources to spend on something like that.

 

[nea]

^ was joking.. not sure if that would even be feasible.

I would like to try and get something for them - and I would hope the community would have like minded people who also want something for the time and effort taken to grow them out in the first place. People seem to just want them for nothing.

 

[nea]

You could offer them for something like $5 + shipping/handling. I know shipping is insane right now, but many corals are stupidly expensive and this might get some attention for you. That's assuming you have the time/resources to spend on something like that.

that's the issue, they are worth more than that. i had a beautiful purple stylo i asked 150 for because a store would probably have asked way more. I lowered it to 60-80 and still only got views but no interest. shipping would be more than it would cost to sell it.

 

[ColoredRock]

I would like to try and get something for them - and I would hope the community would have like minded people who also want something for the time and effort taken to grow them out in the first place. People seem to just want them for nothing.

I 100% agree.

 

[shakacuz]

have you tried looking in your local reef club sub-forum? if the FB marketplace isn’t yielding results perhaps groups here or local groups in FB might be better?

 

[terraincognita]

I would like to try and get something for them - and I would hope the community would have like minded people who also want something for the time and effort taken to grow them out in the first place. People seem to just want them for nothing.

If it's just time to frag with what you've stated otherwise I see 3 options.

1. Start a frag tank.

2. try to trade for unique or more rare corals someone else near you might have that you want.

3. Give it to fellow local reefers for other things like old equipment, they don't want anymore, barter with it a bit, and then sell that equipment. Or maybe someone has salt or dosing liquids they don't want that you use etc.

 

[Keztrel99]

Try searching for some groups on various social media's.
I see your in FL as well. I know a few of the FB groups I'm in seem pretty active. At least then your dealing local and hopefully with reefers who appreciate the effort to grow it out.
I know I'd make the drive up to you if I was getting a good deal on some spicy corals.

 

[kdx7214]

that's the issue, they are worth more than that. i had a beautiful purple stylo i asked 150 for because a store would probably have asked way more. I lowered it to 60-80 and still only got views but no interest. shipping would be more than it would cost to sell it.

Ahh. That makes sense. I was looking it more from the "do I sell it cheap or kill it" sort of view

 

[ColoredRock]

that's the issue, they are worth more than that. i had a beautiful purple stylo i asked 150 for because a store would probably have asked way more. I lowered it to 60-80 and still only got views but no interest. shipping would be more than it would cost to sell it.

I personally think as hobbyists we cant expect to get online or LFS pricing.

 

[JNalley]

that's the issue, they are worth more than that. i had a beautiful purple stylo i asked 150 for because a store would probably have asked way more. I lowered it to 60-80 and still only got views but no interest. shipping would be more than it would cost to sell it.

"worth" is relative. You may think they're worth more, heck you might even see others listing them for more, but if the market is only willing to pay $5 for them, then they're only worth $5. If the market is willing to pay $10 for them, then they're worth $10, and so on. Find the balance between your patience and your greed, if they have to go quickly, you're better off selling them for $5, if not, then wait and sell them for $40, etc. But, keep in mind, 20 $5 sales is also better than 2 $40 sales.

 

[nea]

If it's just time to frag with what you've stated otherwise I see 3 options.

1. Start a frag tank.

2. try to trade for unique or more rare corals someone else near you might have that you want.

3. Give it to fellow local reefers for other things like old equipment, they don't want anymore, barter with it a bit, and then sell that equipment. Or maybe someone has salt or dosing liquids they don't want that you use etc.

i have a small frag tank (24 gal) but it can't hold much either. and trading for something else does not work because I do not have the space for something else. Not to mention if per se I decided to break down my tank tomorrow for whatever reason there just does not seem to be a way to get what time effort and money i have put in out of it without losing a lot. am i alone in this thought?

thank you for your insight

 

[DrZoidburg]

If it comes to a point where you cant do anything a calcium reactor is a good option. At least your saving some money. My somewhat LFS is similar except they only give 30% the value in store credit. As well they don't always want it. That's just not worth it to me.

 

[ColoredRock]

Can you shoot us some pictures.. that would be a major start on letting people know what you are needing
to Frag.

 

[Chrisv.]

A coral is only "worth" what the market will pay for it.

For what it's worth, I've really enjoyed giving frags to new reefers in my area. For a common coral like a Stylo, I wouldn't expect much. Yes you put "work" into growing it... But no more work than you would have put into your tank normally, right?

I expect to sell and buy corals to/from local reefers at ~50% of retail at most. I do get satisfaction from passing a good deal on to a member of my local community.

In the end this isn't an investment.

 

[Karen00]

Do you mention the size of the frags you are selling? If you're selling bigger frags for cheaper than most other places then I'm surprised people aren't buying you out. I would if I didn't live in Canada. I just bought my first two coral frags and I'm shocked at how small they are for the price. I would gladly support local reefers in buying their corals if they suit my tank.

 

[Idech]

Become a member of a reefer’s group in your area on Facebook. Lots of people post their corals for sale and they always sell fast.

I love buying from Facebook reefers. Prices are great !

 

[DrZoidburg]

@nea This cite does have a marketplace have you tried that?