Does community even exist anymore?

[BARNAKEWLZ]

This is the time of year when you see how hungry the hobby is. In the last week I saw a $500 frag covered in hair algae, some pretty common frags going for a premium. And a ton of 10% discounts with a chance to win a whatchamacallits and thingymajigs.

Anyone else feel like we are pricing ourselves out of the hobby?

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Depends on what your selling lol,
I would not buy anything covered in algae

 

[BARNAKEWLZ]

Depends on what your selling lol,
I would not buy anything covered in algae

Those are beauts. And to be fair. It was a legit frag that I saw. Just made me laugh

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Thread 'Bounce mushroom show off' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bounce-mushroom-show-off.1003420/
Thanks

 

[rtparty]

You mean this hobby and industry isn’t immune to what happens in EVERY SINGLE industry this time of year?

I’m shocked

 

[BARNAKEWLZ]

You mean this hobby and industry isn’t immune to what happens in EVERY SINGLE industry this time of year?

I’m shocked

Right! I am shocked too. And very glad to see your caps lock works

 

[Reefer Matt]

I notice a shift in my area. It seems sellers were banking on the covid boom to continue. It didn't. Now attendance at swaps and shows are much lower and many people have left the hobby. But prices somehow remain high. Probably trying to recoup the loses from miscalculated investments. Reefing will pickup again, but slow times are here for a while, imo.

 

[BARNAKEWLZ]

I notice a shift in my area. It seems sellers were banking on the covid boom to continue. It didn't. Now attendance at swaps and shows are much lower and many people have left the hobby. But prices somehow remain high. Probably trying to recoup the loses from miscalculated investments. Reefing will pickup again, but slow times are here for a while, imo.

I can completely agree with that. The bubble has bursted. And unfortunately there are very few examples of prices dropping after a spike.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I notice a shift in my area. It seems sellers were banking on the covid boom to continue. It didn't. Now attendance at swaps and shows are much lower and many people have left the hobby. But prices somehow remain high. Probably trying to recoup the loses from miscalculated investments. Reefing will pickup again, but slow times are here for a while, imo.

As I said and keep saying, you'll never see the likes of COVID in the reefing industry again. Peak reefing is done.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I can completely agree with that. The bubble has bursted. And unfortunately there are very few examples of prices dropping after a spike.

It will drop or they will be stuck with unsellable frags (colonies).

Livestock prices are already coming down at the LFS & wholesale level.

 

[ninjamyst]

I disagree. Prices been coming down all year and there are tons of really nice coral frags below $20 from a wide range of vendors. There are also $100+ premium frags for those that chase designer names. IMO, the pricing right now is very fair and caters to all income levels.

Obviously if you are one of those that chase designer names but don't want to pay the $$ for it, that's on you.

Example, you can get a lot of zoas and favias in the $10 - $25 range in any live sales. But you want that $200 stratosphere zoa, it's all yours. Same for acros. You can get PC rainbows for $25 or if you want designer names, you can get angry bird for $500.

 

[F4u-SuperCorsair]

New-ish to saltwater here. Here's hoping for the bubble to burst as the prices are out of control for fish, corals, and equipment.

 

[billyocean]

Yes

 

[OrchidMiss]

Yes

Fake Billy keepin' it real.

 

[BARNAKEWLZ]

I disagree. Prices been coming down all year and there are tons of really nice coral frags below $20 from a wide range of vendors. There are also $100+ premium frags for those that chase designer names. IMO, the pricing right now is very fair and caters to all income levels.

Obviously if you are one of those that chase designer names but don't want to pay the $$ for it, that's on you.

Example, you can get a lot of zoas and favias in the $10 - $25 range in any live sales. But you want that $200 stratosphere zoa, it's all yours. Same for acros. You can get PC rainbows for $25 or if you want designer names, you can get angry bird for $500.

While I can agree that if you are looking in the right place, live sales and such. You can find some deals. But I did a quick search at a few online spots for their lower cost options. And you would be hard to find a zoa or favia under $40 and sps under 65. Granted that was a quick search and probably holds no weight. But interesting to say the least

 

[Battlecorals]

This is the time of year when you see how hungry the hobby is. In the last week I saw a $500 frag covered in hair algae, some pretty common frags going for a premium. And a ton of 10% discounts with a chance to win a whatchamacallits and thingymajigs.

Anyone else feel like we are pricing ourselves out of the hobby?

are you sure it wasn't just some really rare and exotic algae, and the pesky coral was the hitchhiker?

 

[flashsmith]

It will drop or they will be stuck with unsellable frags (colonies).

Livestock prices are already coming down at the LFS & wholesale level.

I respectfully disagree with this statement. Livestock has gone up this year by alot. I recently sold a show size Blonde Naso I purchased a little over 2 years ago for $50 at about 2 inches or so. Thinking I was going to bring another one in and start all over. That was until I found out the same size fish is now $150 locally. Just one nassarius snail is going for 3 bucks now when they were about a dollar less than a year ago. I was floored when I went to replenish my janitorial staff. Lol. I picked up a flame angel 3 months ago paid $90. Same fish now is $125.

 

[BARNAKEWLZ]

are you sure it wasn't just some really rare and exotic algae, and the pesky coral was the hitchhiker?

It might of been one of those deep water hair algae we’ve been hearing about. Hard to tell til it colors up.. also can say you have been consistently with your pricing over the years

 

[ninjamyst]

While I can agree that if you are looking in the right place, live sales and such. You can find some deals. But I did a quick search at a few online spots for their lower cost options. And you would be hard to find a zoa or favia under $40 and sps under 65. Granted that was a quick search and probably holds no weight. But interesting to say the least

Like any hobby, it's up to consumers to research and find the best price. There is guaranteed one or two live sales per months just from sponsors here. It's not hard to find cheap corals...

Zoas starting at $5 at @uniquecorals

Zoas & Palys

WYSIWYG frag colonies colony frag fish algae rare coral LPS SPS for reef aquarium reefing, saltwater equipment ICP-OES, ICP Lab water analysis test, N-DOC, DaStaCo, Panta Rhei, Pax Bellum, Illumagic, Triton, triton method, ecotech, ultra reef, core7, Great White Skimmer, SeeClear MagSleeve

uniquecorals.com

LPS starting at $15 at @riptideaquarium

LPS Coral

High Quality Live Coral . Rainbow Rock Flower Anemones . Updated Daily . Sustainably Sourced and Aquaculture . 100% WYSIWYG Coral . Milliepora . Acropora . Micromussa . Zoanthids . Anemones . Rock Flower . Meat Coral . Beginner Corals . Rainbow Chalice . Scolly . Blasto .

www.riptideaquaculture.com

Acros under $60 and before another 40% off @AquaSD

Acros

Acros Acroporo (Acros) are found all throughout tropical reefs around the world. While beautiful, they are a difficult species to care for and not for beginning hobbyists. Acros require perfect and stable water conditions, strong lighting and strong alternating flow to do their best.

aquasd.com

Obviously those are links to sales since everyone is having black Friday sales right now but again these prices can be found throughout the year

 

[BARNAKEWLZ]

Like any hobby, it's up to consumers to research and find the best price. There is guaranteed one or two live sales per months just from sponsors here. It's not hard to find cheap corals...

Zoas starting at $5 at @uniquecorals

Zoas & Palys

WYSIWYG frag colonies colony frag fish algae rare coral LPS SPS for reef aquarium reefing, saltwater equipment ICP-OES, ICP Lab water analysis test, N-DOC, DaStaCo, Panta Rhei, Pax Bellum, Illumagic, Triton, triton method, ecotech, ultra reef, core7, Great White Skimmer, SeeClear MagSleeve

uniquecorals.com

LPS starting at $15 at @riptideaquarium

LPS Coral

High Quality Live Coral . Rainbow Rock Flower Anemones . Updated Daily . Sustainably Sourced and Aquaculture . 100% WYSIWYG Coral . Milliepora . Acropora . Micromussa . Zoanthids . Anemones . Rock Flower . Meat Coral . Beginner Corals . Rainbow Chalice . Scolly . Blasto .

www.riptideaquaculture.com

Acros under $60 and before another 40% off @AquaSD

Acros

Acros Acroporo (Acros) are found all throughout tropical reefs around the world. While beautiful, they are a difficult species to care for and not for beginning hobbyists. Acros require perfect and stable water conditions, strong lighting and strong alternating flow to do their best.

aquasd.com

Obviously those are links to sales since everyone is having black Friday sales right now but again these prices can be found throughout the year

great places to support too. Thanks for sharing for anyone looking!