What's it worth to ya?

[Joeganja]

Coral throughout the years has become more popular in the aquarium trade. With all these corals that are cultured each year, the colors only get more beautiful , as well as expensive. Some corals go for $500 and up and some just really cheap. We all want things in this world we may not afford. I've noticed in this trade that it's become more of how much a coral is and can I grow it and make profit and all that stuff. When you think about it it's an animal, it's found in the ocean and we treat it likes a signed Babe Ruth autographed card. Coral is worth different to everyone. Some will pay high prices for a piece because it's rarity or color and some will pay to grow out and sell. And those that pay money for it to just enjoy, well those are the people that get their money's worth. It's not something that we need to think about. But the oceans coral reefs are in trouble and we have more coral than the coral reefs in our tanks lol. I want my fish tank to be a candy shop when people see it not tell them how much I paused for a single piece because they will think I'm crazy. So I ask you this what's coral worth to you? Not in value of money. But in value of why are you in this hobby? Because a hobby is something that one does for pleasure not profit. You all will have opinions and think I'm wrong or right, but just take this into thought. There's new hobbyists coming into this hobby see all these crazy prices of corals and those who are getting back into this hobby after 20 years of being out and seeing what it's become? I look at my fish tank everyday like a piece of art I've created with my hands. While some sell the art.

 

[jared graves]

Coral throughout the years has become more popular in the aquarium trade. With all these corals that are cultured each year, the colors only get more beautiful , as well as expensive. Some corals go for $500 and up and some just really cheap. We all want things in this world we may not afford. I've noticed in this trade that it's become more of how much a coral is and can I grow it and make profit and all that stuff. When you think about it it's an animal, it's found in the ocean and we treat it likes a signed Babe Ruth autographed card. Coral is worth different to everyone. Some will pay high prices for a piece because it's rarity or color and some will pay to grow out and sell. And those that pay money for it to just enjoy, well those are the people that get their money's worth. It's not something that we need to think about. But the oceans coral reefs are in trouble and we have more coral than the coral reefs in our tanks lol. I want my fish tank to be a candy shop when people see it not tell them how much I paused for a single piece because they will think I'm crazy. So I ask you this what's coral worth to you? Not in value of money. But in value of why are you in this hobby? Because a hobby is something that one does for pleasure not profit. You all will have opinions and think I'm wrong or right, but just take this into thought. There's new hobbyists coming into this hobby see all these crazy prices of corals and those who are getting back into this hobby after 20 years of being out and seeing what it's become? I look at my fish tank everyday like a piece of art I've created with my hands. While some sell the art.


How much would you pay for this mycedium?

Where did you get the idea for this thread glad we are in the same boat

 

[Joeganja]

Where did you get the idea for this thread

The fact that I've always wanted expensive coral but can't afford it lol and you ha

 

[jared graves]

The fact that I've always wanted expensive coral but can't afford it lol and you ha

Your smarter than me I still buy them even though I can't afford it

 

[Joeganja]

Your smarter than me I still buy them even though I can't afford it

I'm only 18, and I go to a university and spent $800 on LEDs lol I'm crazy

 

[jared graves]

I'm only 18, and I go to a university and spent $800 on LEDs lol I'm crazy

Wow your as hopelessly addicted as me it sounds like. Well whatever soon we will all have to sell our houses and cars and move into group homes together to be able to afford our tanks and share with each other. (aka the reefer's equivalent of a crack house)
Pm me for details!!

 

[Joeganja]

Wow your as hopelessly addicted as me it sounds like. Well whatever soon we will all have to sell our houses and cars and move into group homes together to be able to afford out tanks and share with each other. (aka the reefer's equivalent of a crack house)

Lol

 

[Wiz]

I don't know how corals get there rediculas laughable prices. But I would not pay for many of them. The most I've ever paid for a frag is $30. and as for selling, I buy my corals for me. So I can enjoy them. Growing and fragging is a by product. Helpful for hobby cost. But I can not charge a big price for something I need to rehome anyway. Otherwise my tank would overflow. I personally think that $10 is a fair price for most home grown frags. I could see $20 for a long time grower or exceptional color. And I mean exceptional. But other than that why charge crazy prices to help clear your tank and further the hobby? I know a lot will disagree. But oh well. $20-$40 per zoa is crazy. More than $100 for a 1"-2" frag is nuts. And $500+ omg I wish I had that kinda money. People are soooo greedy. Love the hobby, make it last, make it easier, spread the coral all around the world. Leave the $ to the dealers. even they are overpriced
Imo

 

[Joeganja]

I don't know how corals get there rediculas laughable prices. But I would not pay for many of them. The most I've ever paid for a frag is $30. and as for selling, I buy my corals for me. So I can enjoy them. Growing and fragging is a by product. Helpful for hobby cost. But I can nof charge a big price for something I need to rehome anyway. Otherwise my tank would overflow. I personally think that $10 is a fair price for most home grown frags. I could see $20 for a long time grower or exceptional color. And I mean exceptional. But other than that why charge crazy prices to help clear your rank and further the hobby? I know a lot will disagree. But oh well. $20-$40 per zoa is crazy. More than $100 for a 1"-2" frag is nuts. And $500+ omg I wish I had that kinda money. People are soooo greedy. Love the hobby, make it last, make it easier, spread the coral all around the world. Leave the $ to the dealers. even they are overpriced
Imo

Perfect example of a person who's in it for the enjoyment of the hobby and beauty of nature

 

[jared graves]

Now I have to admit some of it comes down to pure supply and demand

 

[143MPCo]

Because a hobby is something that one does for pleasure not profit. You all will have opinions and think I'm wrong or right, but just take this into thought. There's new hobbyists coming into this hobby see all these crazy prices of corals and those who are getting back into this hobby after 20 years of being out and seeing what it's become? I look at my fish tank everyday like a piece of art I've created with my hands. While some sell the art.

You are correct and a "hobby" is defined as an activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure... That said you, it takes quite a bit of time and expense from everyone involved in bring you a specimen, everything from paying the collectors/harvesters/divers/boat captains/gas/airfreight/import and export tariffs and everything else in this mix makes it very expensive for the industry... add to that the holding facility initial upfront cost and ongoing maintenance and all of that before you will ever even see the specimen let alone buy it and it still needs to make its way into the wholesalers (add his/her cost) and a retailer (add his/her cost).

The one thing that's an even bigger expense is the initial upfront cost and ongoing maintenance faced by aquaculture facility these folks have to grow the coral before they can even try to sell; either directly or wholesale to a retailer... we're not talking home hobbyist setup of a 100 gallons or so, think thousands of gallons of water, lighting units needed, CA reactors, AC and heaters just to mention a few and the bills will start piling up fast.

It comes down to how hard it was to get a specimen (with everything noted above)and that cost is passed along to you/us because in the end they are in business to make money not lose it.

Edited:
One note if you are taking hobbyist jacking up the prices why not just walk away after all it's your money.

 

[Wiz]

Now I have to admit some of it comes down to pure supply and demand

Supply and demand Is for retailers. Hobbiests who use this are greedy in my opinion. I could see maybe recouping the c ost of the coral. But after that you are trying to be a retailer. Greedy imo. No offense. To each there own

 

[Joeganja]

Supply and demand Is for retailers. Hobbiests who use this are greedy in my opinion. I could see maybe recouping the c ost of the coral. But after that you are trying to be a retailer. Greedy imo. No offense. To each there own

Said and done!

 

[Wiz]

I'm not picking on divers or growers of lfs. You charge what you must. I get that. With some exception for the ones that are outrageous. I'm refering to home hobbiests.

 

[jared graves]

You are correct and a "hobby" is defined as an activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure... That said you, it takes quite a bit of time and expense from everyone involved in bring you a specimen, everything from paying the collectors/harvesters/divers/boat captains/gas/airfreight/import and export tariffs and everything else in this mix makes is very expensive for the industry... add to that the holding facility initial upfront cost and ongoing maintenance and all of that before you will ever even see the specimen let alone buy it and it still needs to make its way into the wholesalers (add his/her cost) and a retailer (add his/her cost).

The one thing that's an even bigger expense is the initial upfront cost and ongoing maintenance faced by aquaculture facility these folks have to grow the coral before they can even try to sell; either directly or wholesale to a retailer... we're not talking home hobbyist setup of a 100 gallons or so, think thousands of gallons of water, lighting units needed, CA reactors, AC and heaters just to mention a few and the bills will start piling up fast.

It comes down to how hard it was to get a specimen and that cost is passed along to you/us because in the end they are in business to make money not lose it.

I am in no way bashing "reasonable" prices I understand everyone needs to make a little money on top of what they pay for it but I work weekends at my lfs I see exactly what they pay for their corals and fish. My lfs is very reasonable and doesn't mark stuff up to crazy prices but I have seen the exact pieces the lfs just got in off a fresh shipment go up on divers den for 3x the price! No one who knows there stuff will debate the fact companies like live aquaria Mark up those big pieces that they sell on divers den for $400-$500 by 8-12x what they payed for it. Again though live aquaria sells their corals pretty fast which is an example of supply and demand. The market only has so many of those nice colonies on it so the people who really want them will pay the price for them. Just my 2 cents

 

[Joeganja]

I'm not picking on divers or growers of lfs. You charge what you must. I get that. With some exception for the ones that are outrageous. I'm refering to home hobbiests.

They expect to get what they payed for or retail value.

 

[jared graves]

Supply and demand Is for retailers. Hobbiests who use this are greedy in my opinion. I could see maybe recouping the c ost of the coral. But after that you are trying to be a retailer. Greedy imo. No offense. To each there own

To mark up higher than retail price is greedy but if I buy a nice piece and I want to break even on it I have no problem selling it for close to retail if the demand is there. Now of course go look at my labor day frag packs and you will see I also don't mind giving a fellow hobbyist a deal on some coral

 

[diablomaster9045]

Here is my flow chart of how I do my coral purchases if any gets a no I don't buy the coral:

1. Do I like the growth pattern?
2. Do I like the colors?
3. Can I afford it?
4. Can I make my money back in 3 frags? (Skipped if its something like a scoly, trachy, or similar type of coral that cant be fragged)
5. Do I think the price is fair for what I am getting?
6. Do I think the hobbyists in my area would trade for this coral?

So starts with me and ends with my fish buddies that like to trade corals.

But as for your question on the mycedium, It would not make it past my first criteria, as I just don't like how mycedium grow.

 

[143MPCo]

...in the end it's individuals choice on what they're willing to pay, just because a specimen is set at a higher price than someone agrees with has nothing to do with the industry at large... "what's coral worth to you" whatever I'm willing to pay for it...."why are you in this hobby" I love a good challenge.

I am in no way bashing "reasonable" prices I understand everyone needs to make a little money on top of what they pay for it but I work weekends at my lfs I see exactly what they pay for their corals and fish.

@jared graves It was a general post and not direct at anyone.

 

[jared graves]

...in the end it's individuals choice on what they're willing to pay, just because a specimen is set at a higher price than someone agrees with has nothing to do with the industry at large... "what's coral worth to you" whatever I'm willing to pay for it...."why are you in this hobby" I love a good challenge.


@jared graves It was a general post and not direct at anyone.

And that's when it comes back to good old American capitalism and supply and demand! I LOVE THE USA!!!