I just paid $81 for a 200g box of regular Instant Ocean... ouch.

[DIYreefer]

Just checked Amazon. Bucket of reef crystals $56.70. 50 gallon bags of IO $16.80

IO 50 gallon bags are $21. Not sure why, but I can't post the link. Anyway, it's $21 lol.

 

[JGT]

I did. Just not enough, evidently.

Yeah when the sale happened I paid around $40 delivered.

 

[flashsmith]

IO 50 gallon bags are $21. Not sure why, but I can't post the link. Anyway, it's $21 lol.

Maybe it's their algorithm or something. I always get that price. Maybe depends on how far it goes. There are Amazon distribution centers all around me. Maybe that's why?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

IO 50 gallon bags are $21. Not sure why, but I can't post the link. Anyway, it's $21 lol.

That's still $84 for the amount in a box...

 

[ca1ore]

Right? Could you imagine if single polyp zoas or 1/4" acros were being sold for hundreds of dollars? Lol.

I started in the reef hobby in about 1986, so it all seems like madness to me.

 

[DIYreefer]

Maybe it's their algorithm or something. I always get that price. Maybe depends on how far it goes. There are Amazon distribution centers all around me. Maybe that's why?

Likely so. I live about 150 miles north of the Tx/Mexico border on the Gulf Coast. As far as I know, the nearest Amazon centers are about a 4 hour drive away up in Houston.

 

[DIYreefer]

That's still $84 for the amount in a box...

Kind of a lot for regular IO, no?

 

[ca1ore]

The ‘problem’,of course, is neatly summarized in three little words in the original post: I need salt. I’ve no idea what the margin is on IO and whether $84 is a fair price or not. But this is a hobby where ‘willingness to pay’ predominates. If people are willing to pay then they’ll continue to price it at $84. Until next month, when it will be $90.

 

[DIYreefer]

The ‘problem’,of course, is neatly summarized in three little words in the original post: I need salt. I’ve no idea what the margin is on IO and whether $84 is a fair price or not. But this is a hobby where ‘willingness to pay’ predominates. If people are willing to pay then they’ll continue to price it at $84. Until next month, when it will be $90.

It's nearly triple the cost of what it was 5 years ago. Even with the outrageous inflation that we've experienced in recent years, this is ridiculous. However, as you've said, if people are willing to pay then the price will continue to increase.

I understand businesses wanting to be as profitable as possible but I think it likely really is at a point where people are being priced out of the hobby. Honestly, if it weren't for the money I make selling frags, I would likely be priced out myself. Or I would at least be forced to downsize, that's for sure.

 

[VintageReefer]

160g bucket, which I prefer because hey. Free bucket. For 57$ With the 15% off code

 

[DIYreefer]

160g bucket, which I prefer because hey. Free bucket. For 57$ With the 15% off code

I used reef crystals for many years up until a few months ago when I accidentally ordered plain IO. I was basically stuck with the IO so I decided to use it. Idk why, but my tanks love it. Don't really want to switch back, lol.

 

[ca1ore]

It's nearly triple the cost of what it was 5 years ago. Even with the outrageous inflation that we've experienced in recent years, this is ridiculous. However, as you've said, if people are willing to pay then the price will continue to increase.

I understand businesses wanting to be as profitable as possible but I think it likely really is at a point where people are being priced out of the hobby. Honestly, if it weren't for the money I make selling frags, I would likely be priced out myself. Or I would at least be forced to downsize, that's for sure.

More like double. I’ve been buying the 200 box off Amazon since 2015, and the lowest standard list price I paid was $40.

 

[VintageReefer]

More like double. I’ve been buying the 200 box off Amazon since 2015, and the lowest standard list price I paid was $40.

2014 - dr foster smith order

Reef Crystals Reef Salt 160 gal mix Bucket w/FREE T-Shirt

Quantity: 1
Price: $52.99

 

[CBonito]

I really hope that g doesn't stand for gram

If so, I guess he's having a party.

 

[TubesFab]

Heres what I do. Petco has there rewards thing its $10/month. They give you $5 in rewards to use each month. You also get 15% off supplies, food etc for your fish. I wait till they have there 10% off $50 or 20% off 80 order online and pick up instore. The discounts stack
$43.75 for a 5g bucket.
I just wait for the sale (constantly they do the buy online pick up instore)

 

[DanTheReefer]

Back in the day:

 

[KTTX]

Prices on salt been heading the wrong way for a while now. Fortunately everything else in this hobby is so reasonably priced.

Agreed. Prices on everything in this hobby has been heading in wrong direction.

 

[VintageReefer]

We need Alibaba salt with some knock off name like

Quick Ocean Reef Gems +

 

[BZOFIQ]

And to think we were buying buckets last year for less than $30 each.

I have 18 buckets stored at the moment, took advantage of too many deals.

Reef Crystals Steep Price Hike

I went to Denny’s for lunch yesterday and all their menu items reflected the same cost increases. If the government keeps printing money I’m afraid that these prices are going to be with us from now on. My coral and fish are going to end up homeless because of this.

www.reef2reef.com

Instant Ocean

Chewy has it on sale. $33.99 for a 160 gallon bucket. Cheapest I have seen for a long time...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Roatan Reef]

Chewy...

Amazon.com...