I have a question

[Battlecorals Verified Sponsor]

Why would anyone pay more than say, 50.00 (still seems like too much) for an obvious frag off of a wild maricultutred acropora?

I mean how is this value established? Short of greed, hype or perhaps a customer not realizing it. I would be interested to hear some actual reasoning behind a purchase like this.

These types of colonies are pretty available for the most part to end user hobbyists these days.

 

[Tonycass12]

I just spend the 100-200 on the mariculture colony if i want it rather then get some frag that's going to rtn in a couple weeks. Then again I'm not really buying frags at 50$ or more any longer. I get better deals from locals even on some of the more expensive corals from some of the "big names" in the coral buisness. The most ive spent on frags in the past 2 years was a battle box because I wanted some new stuff and already had the free shipping.

Just my 2c

 

[Battlecorals Verified Sponsor]

I just spend the 100-200 on the mariculture colony if i want it rather then get some frag that's going to rtn in a couple weeks. Then again I'm not really buying frags at 50$ or more any longer. I get better deals from locals even on some of the more expensive corals from some of the "big names" in the coral buisness. The most ive spent on frags in the past 2 years was a battle box because I wanted some new stuff and already had the free shipping.

Just my 2c

Right, that makes sense to me, my point being that these colonies are not exactly hard to come by these days. for the most part.

Thanks for the insight. I appreciate the post.

 

[Ken101Ward]

Why would anyone pay more than say, 50.00 (still seems like too much) for an obvious frag off of a wild maricultutred acropora?

I mean how is this value established? Short of greed, hype or perhaps a customer not realizing it. I would be interested to hear some actual reasoning behind a purchase like this.

These types of colonies are pretty available for the most part to end user hobbyists these days.

I think it's due to the ugly side of capitalism. Caveat Emptor!

 

[rongy]

How can you tell if it’s an obvious frag off of a wild maricultutred acropora?

For me, I just make sure that the frag has nice color, and it has encrusted.

 

[Reefer Matt]

The market doesn’t really differentiate between the sources of the coral, only the end product. If the customer likes it, and wants to pay the price, they buy it. They don’t know how much it costs the vendor to acquire the stock at wholesale or import so there is no comparison or transparency. The coral market would probably implode if there was.

 

[Johnd651]

I know this won't be a popular answer, but people have money and don't know/care. I see all the time people willing to pay whatever is listed cause it "looks cool" with no idea what it is or what it needs for care.

 

[Battlecorals Verified Sponsor]

The market doesn’t really differentiate between the sources of the coral, only the end product. If the customer likes it, and wants to pay the price, they buy it. They don’t know how much it costs the vendor to acquire the stock at wholesale or import so there is no comparison or transparency. The coral market would probably implode if there was.

Hey Matt,

thanks for chiming in totally hear you and that honestly makes crystal-clear sense to me, but it still begs the question. Why wouldn't someone just buy the colony if they had the opportunity for maybe 200 bucks or whatever rather than an auctioned frag, at typically more than that?

And to your point, I do think a lot of the market does differentiate between aquacultured Coral and the latter. I think where there might be a void, is the ability to know the difference between the two perhaps?

 

[KStatefan]

I would not be able to tell it was a "frag off of a wild maricultutred acropora" unless i was told.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Hey Matt,

thanks for chiming in totally hear you and that honestly makes crystal-clear sense to me, but it still begs the question. Why wouldn't someone just buy the colony if they had the opportunity for maybe 200 bucks or whatever rather than an auctioned frag, at typically more than that?

And to your point, I do think a lot of the market does differentiate between aquacultured Coral and the latter. I think where there might be a void, is the ability to know the difference between the two perhaps?

I think a lot of the allure of reefing is watching the little frags grow up. I have a harder time selling colonies (and I sell super cheap) than frags. Some Reefers may also underestimate the size requirements of those frags when grown out. I see a lot of medium sized tanks with over 50 frags in them. It looks great for the short term, but will lead to chaos later. Plus most Reefers are only in it for about a year or so, and may not be comfortable with a colony yet, imo.

 

[Troylee]

I believe it’s the hype and name game myself! Everyone wants the hottest new piece out doesn’t matter if it came from under the bed or the sock drawer! I think social media has played a lot into today’s society as a whole where people will do anything for a like! I mean my kids do it and it drives me crazy! It’s like they need the attention idk I don’t understand it I’m old lol.. I also know most of this generation of reefers aren’t educated in aqua culture and don’t know the survival rates or pests and everything else that comes with wild or Mari corals. As for the people selling them they’re only in it for the money! I’ve bought several wild frags don’t get me wrong! BUT! I only paid $10 a pop lol! To me that gamble is worth it.. like you mentioned $50+ nah that’s a hard pass!

 

[Mschmidt]

For my part, unless I'm told, I don't know any better. That said, I work hard for my money so approach it (any more) as once bit, twice shy. If I can't trust that what I'm getting will be in good shape, then I'm probably not going to get it.

Also, I don't know where to get mari, or any colonies without being a retailer. Unless of course it's by telling you, Adam to go for size over all others.

 

[Jasonak]

For my part, unless I'm told, I don't know any better. That said, I work hard for my money so approach it (any more) as once bit, twice shy. If I can't trust that what I'm getting will be in good shape, then I'm probably not going to get it.

Also, I don't know where to get mari, or any colonies without being a retailer. Unless of course it's by telling you, Adam to go for size over all others.

Im in same boat as you, ive been doing this forever but unless im told I dont know the difference. I think thats the case with most people and if you get a piece and it dies you just think well it my fault because that can happen with anything. I still loose stuff, or if it browns out doesn't grow up to look the same you would think oh its just my tank, my conditions for allot of reefers. So really it wouldn't raise any eyebrows and that takes months anyways. Where im at now, would I not blame myself for the coral not looking the same as something pictured on a site.

 

[RMS18]

Yea this one is easy. It's the hype and name game. A corals worth is all due to the demand. When you have these "Hot" sellers, that are more like IG influencers everyone wants what they have so they can grow it for 2.5 months, frag it and sell for a profit. The names have gotten so out of control, the same coral could have 3-4 different names. Then one name will take more than others and become the most searchable. There are some sellers that have me scratching my head thinking dam they have awesome connections to finding acros that have never hit the market yet. Another "New Release". These sellers have more New Releases than Taylor Swift, but in reality it's the same dam coral. If a hobbiest has any brain cells, after they lose those wild across after a few times. They should realize buying aquaculture is the way to go. Some of the ones I have bought (happen to have come from BC) have been more bullet proof than zoas. That's what I want in my tank, not something that when you look at it wrong it RTNs. However these sellers wouldn't have the following they have without the demand.

 

[Mwatts12]

I’ll buy a mariculture if it’s something crazy I have not seen.

The only place I see with colonies are my LFS and man do they look like they are clinging to life in there.

I do not have any social media but I buy expensive acros. Usually the expensive pieces are that way for a reason.

The hot expensive pieces are what everyone wants and will be easier to grab and sale later.

 

[Reefer Matt]

I usually forget the acro trade names, except a few. I collect coral for me, and don’t use them to try and showcase wealth. Those who buy coral just to own something expensive may eventually feel the pain of it all disappearing. Then they will probably quit because the real passion was never there, only posture.

 

[Joe462]

I think its marketing and newer people in the hobby, or people that just don't understand/know better. Some don't realize they are bying from a chop shop and what that entails.

They are cheep and see that there is a premium popular acro 3/4 inch frag for 300, constistantly from several venders. Then they see this vendor that has somewhat successfully marketed themselves as a premum vendor, that is selling large frags or colonys, that look pretty good, with a fancy name (even though they haven't heard it before) and insted of 300 for a 3/4 its a big frag or colony for say 150 or 200. and they think they are getting a tremendous value. for this chopped up marriculture. then they get them home and 3/4 of the pices die and they get flatworms, then they do it again. becuase its such a "good value" and "they are premium corals".

 

[areefer01]

but it still begs the question. Why wouldn't someone just buy the colony if they had the opportunity for maybe 200 bucks

I may be looking at it the wrong way but most vendors, small or large, do not sell colonies. If they do their definition of colony is different than mine. This then begs a new question on what justifies a colony as it relates to its actual size. I'm pretty sure we can both agree it is not 1/4" freshly cut piece nor is a 1" piece that shows growth on the frag plug.

Also shipping probably make it cost prohibitive to ship a 20" colony due to box size and weight. Me personally the preference is to buy from small businesses that aquaculture and have long term presence. Same holds true for fish. The premium to me is worth it and it makes me feel good. I do not support eBay or the side hustle though.

TL; DR - for reference here is what I consider a colony. My 20+" BC Eflo 2.0 that I picked up from you which started out as a frag.

 

[Jasonak]

I may be looking at it the wrong way but most vendors, small or large, do not sell colonies. If they do their definition of colony is different than mine. This then begs a new question on what justifies a colony as it relates to its actual size. I'm pretty sure we can both agree it is not 1/4" freshly cut piece nor is a 1" piece that shows growth on the frag plug.

Also shipping probably make it cost prohibitive to ship a 20" colony due to box size and weight. Me personally the preference is to buy from small businesses that aquaculture and have long term presence. Same holds true for fish. The premium to me is worth it and it makes me feel good. I do not support eBay or the side hustle though.

TL; DR - for reference here is what I consider a colony. My 20+" BC Eflo 2.0 that I picked up from you which started out as a frag.

Please add the picture of that beautiful piece to here please

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bc-corals-picture-posting-thread.1101111/

 

[areefer01]

Please add the picture of that beautiful piece to here please

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bc-corals-picture-posting-thread.1101111/

I did not know that thread existed. I apologize and ty. Will do.