Generosity in the reef community is a beautiful thing!

Daniel@R2R · May 8, 2026

I love being part of this community, and one of the major reasons is all of the kind, big-hearted people in the reef community. I remember when I was first starting out and realized I needed live rock (yeah...I kind of jumped in and researched the basics as I went...I don't recommend that approach). A member of the community found out what I needed and reached out to let me know he was getting a used system and was willing to give me all of the rock and sand from that system. It was a HUGE blessing and really got me started. I also benefited so much from people who were willing to walk with me through my newb questions and lack of knowledge (I really started with ZERO idea of what I was doing), and so many people helped me learn without judgment. It's something I love and try to continue to pay forward.

Today, I am benefiting again from the community's generosity as my RODI system broke, and a great friend is loaning me one until I can get my new one in. When we help one another, everybody is better for it!

How have you benefited from the generosity of the reef community?

Sophie"s mom · May 8, 2026

THis may be small but when I was looking for some 3D printed hats for my urchin, someone here that I have never conversed with before made me some, and shipped them to me....at no charge!!!

c4haskett · May 8, 2026

I have a buddy and we trade corals for free. When I get some that grow out I frag and give to him, he does the same. Corals of all kinds and price range. Doesn't matter. Our local community in general is pretty helpful with some great guys.

Fish Fan · May 8, 2026

R2R Mayor @Crabs McJones absolutely hooked me up in the 2024 R2R Secret Santa gift exchange

Hunna’s Stunnas · May 8, 2026

I wouldn’t still be in the hobby if it weren’t for the generosity of the people I met through my local reef club. Went through a rough divorce a few years ago, wasn’t able to properly maintain my tanks and lost quite a bit. The friends I’ve made have had large systems running for years, and have given me frags of things to help get my tanks stocked back up. I’ve only paid retail prices for a handful of my coral at this point. Most everything was either given to me, traded for, or bought with various gift cards I’ve won from giveaways at my local reef club get togethers or on here.

I got an AI Hydra 64 HD for free from doing a tank breakdown a friend put me onto. Someone from my reef club gave me another Prime 16 HD while I was doing a PAR reading for him. My 40b would still be being lit by just 1 Prime 16 HD and a Kessil a80 tuba blue if it weren’t for that.

I’ve done my best to pass along the luck and generosity. I’ve given dozens of frags to newly supporting club members. I sell things well below what they should go for, and usually am on the “losing” end of the trades I do. Which I’m perfectly fine with.