Many asked about tariffs . . . .

[TastesLikeChicken]

Everyone mad at the current administration because their first world hobby is about to get a bit more expensive.

Totally ignoring the recent proposals coming from activists on the other side of the isle that would ELIMINATE the hobby altogether and essentially make it illegal. lol

It’s not about the hobby. This is just a way for us to vent. It’s about the cost of living. Don’t you see how expensive everything is these days??!! And now it will be even more. I make an agreeable salary but why should I have to pay even more for day to day things. It’s frustrating. I don’t care about what political party did what or said what. I care about me and the other average folks who have to pay the price.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

slightly off topic- anyone betting what tomorrow will bring in the markets? More bloodshed or a bounce?

 

[Reefer Matt]

Everyone mad at the current administration because their first world hobby is about to get a bit more expensive.

Totally ignoring the recent proposals coming from activists on the other side of the isle that would ELIMINATE the hobby altogether and essentially make it illegal. lol

I’m not mad. I can afford my reefing. The saltwater aquarium industry doesn’t have a central organization looking out for its interests like other industries. Coupled with the solitary nature of most Reefers, the threat of a hobby shutdown is a real possibility. Luckily the proposed laws lumped all pet trades into them, and reefing has survived because of other’s efforts.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

I’m not too concerned about it, fish and corals are expensive as it is so what’s another $20 going to matter if I go to my LFS and buy a fish.

And I’m just going to say it and not sugar coat it, if an additional $20 is a decision maker (sure it could be more) then perhaps the salt water hobby isn’t in your budget to begin with. Food, clothing, transportation, health coverage and rent/mortgage are all higher on the totem pole. But with that said I hope everyone finds a way to work with what’s been handed to us

$20 on a fish is the tip of the iceberg though.

All of the equipment in this hobby is imported, or at least the key components are.

Many of the tanks are made in China, along with the stands. I believe Waterbox, IM and Red Sea are all built within a 5 minute walk if I remember another post correctly.

Long term, we’re not looking at 10% extra for fish, we’re looking at 10% or more for everything.

You start pushing the middle class out of the hobby and that will have further reaching consequences.

There is a certain income level required even for a budget tank like mine, but that doesn’t mean we need to take such a dismissive attitude to pricing pressures…

 

[GatorGreg]

$20 on a fish is the tip of the iceberg though.

All of the equipment in this hobby is imported, or at least the key components are.

Many of the tanks are made in China, along with the stands. I believe Waterbox, IM and Red Sea are all built within a 5 minute walk if I remember another post correctly.

Long term, we’re not looking at 10% extra for fish, we’re looking at 10% or more for everything.

You start pushing the middle class out of the hobby and that will have further reaching consequences.

There is a certain income level required even for a budget tank like mine, but that doesn’t mean we need to take such a dismissive attitude to pricing pressures…

Again it won’t even matter if the Save NEMO act gets passed.

That’s what you should be more worried about

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

Everyone mad at the current administration because their first world hobby is about to get a bit more expensive.

Totally ignoring the recent proposals coming from activists on the other side of the isle that would ELIMINATE the hobby altogether and essentially make it illegal. lol

https://reefbuilders.com/2025/04/04...by-and-tens-of-thousands-of-jobs-in-jeopardy/

We’re actually concerned about both, in fact there are multiple threads already about what you linked.

Both are really dangerous to the hobby but tariffs are actually affecting us now. Even in Canada my LFS said he’s starting to see the pricing ripples behind the scenes due to uncertainty in the general industry.

Also, the anger isn’t just about our first world hobby. My factory closed down and my neighbour works for GM and is currently laid off. However, those are beyond the scope of what the OP asked us to discuss.

 

[Garf]

I expect over here in the UK (not Euroland), if Americans ain't gonna buy Chinese stuff, we will be flooded by high quality cheap pumps. Jabeo for the win, lol

 

[GatorGreg]

It’s not about the hobby. This is just a way for us to vent. It’s about the cost of living. Don’t you see how expensive everything is these days??!! And now it will be even more. I make an agreeable salary but why should I have to pay even more for day to day things. It’s frustrating. I don’t care about what political party did what or said what. I care about me and the other average folks who have to pay the price.

Newsflash. Everything has been more expensive since 2020 when everything skyrocketed and they blamed it on the “supply chain” and “energy cost”. Were you screaming from the rooftops then? Or you just doing it now because……..well we know why

It’s been expensive since then and never went back down.

I haven’t noticed anything get dramatically more expensive in the recent months.

 

[Crabs+Shrimps-69]

I assume the tariffs will only affect reef keeping in America, not other countries?

 

[Reefer Matt]

I assume the tariffs will only affect reef keeping in America, not other countries?

Considering America is the largest coral importer, it’s unlikely. But fingers crossed for a silver lining.

 

[crazyfishmom]

I assume the tariffs will only affect reef keeping in America, not other countries?

Im not sure. If US consumers are not purchasing products at the same rate, manufacturers may raise prices for other locations to match profits.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

Newsflash. Everything has been more expensive since 2020 when everything skyrocketed and they blamed it on the “supply chain” and “energy cost”. Were you screaming from the rooftops then? Or you just doing it now because……..well we know why

It’s been expensive since then and never went back down.

I haven’t noticed anything get dramatically more expensive in the recent months.

Yes, inflation happened worldwide during COVID and yes people definitely screaming. Remember the “I did that” stickers?

However, what’s coming is a policy decision. It’s an abandonment of trade agreements and alliances, and it will be up to the middle class and lower class to carry the burden even in niche hobbies like ours.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

I expect over here in the UK (not Euroland), if Americans ain't gonna buy Chinese stuff, we will be flooded by high quality cheap pumps. Jabeo for the win, lol

we need a Commonwealth of Reefing alliance - no US tariff nonsense, just a bunch of old
pals building cheap reef lighting and pumps.

KingsLED 200 PAR on the sandbed and you can warm your tea on the heat sink

 

[vetteguy53081]

slightly off topic- anyone betting what tomorrow will bring in the markets? More bloodshed or a bounce?

Please let the market take care of this,,,,, we cannot get political here. The post was made to give others of potential impacts.

 

[IceNein]

Everyone mad at the current administration because their first world hobby is about to get a bit more expensive.

Totally ignoring the recent proposals coming from activists on the other side of the isle that would ELIMINATE the hobby altogether and essentially make it illegal. lol

https://reefbuilders.com/2025/04/04...by-and-tens-of-thousands-of-jobs-in-jeopardy/

I believe the intent here was to keep it non-political. Nobody has been talking about why or whether or not tariffs are good. No need to bring up "the other side of the aisle" IMO.

Tariffs are going to make the hobby more expensive, that's just a fact and doesn't touch on whether or not the tariffs are justified.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yes, inflation happened worldwide during COVID and yes people definitely screaming. Remember the “I did that” stickers?

However, what’s coming is a policy decision. It’s an abandonment of trade agreements and alliances, and it will be up to the middle class and lower class to carry the burden even in niche hobbies like ours.

It’s not about the hobby. This is just a way for us to vent. It’s about the cost of living. Don’t you see how expensive everything is these days??!! And now it will be even more. I make an agreeable salary but why should I have to pay even more for day to day things. It’s frustrating. I don’t care about what political party did what or said what. I care about me and the other average folks who have to pay the price.

Very good point made. While we are holding our breath on cost of the hobby, we have to be opened minded that this is one sector of many things which have gone up and will be impacted. The cost of eggs while in part from avian flu also was a consumer impact and without this situation at hand have seen the cost of vehicles, food, clothing, hygiene products as example skyrocket to high levels.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I believe the intent here was to keep it non-political. Nobody has been talking about why or whether or not tariffs are good. No need to bring up "the other side of the aisle" IMO.

Tariffs are going to make the hobby more expensive, that's just a fact and doesn't touch on whether or not the tariffs are justified.

Thank you and well said

 

[IceNein]

So back on topic, if domestic aquaculture of high end corals benefits from tariffs, that would be a win in my opinion. IMO aquacultured corals are better for our reefs, and as an added bonus, they are used to living in aquaria, and are hopefully less likely to carry pests when you buy them.

So after this shakes out, that could be a good thing for the hobby.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Please let the market take care of this,,,,, we cannot get political here. The post was made to give others of potential impacts.

I’m totally behind that. I love that this place is my escape from politics and the endless fighting. I just happen to enjoy the ebb and flow of the markets and economics

 

[jmcdona6]

Im not sure. If US consumers are not purchasing products at the same rate, manufacturers may raise prices for other locations to match profits.

It goes one of four ways.

(1) They keep prices level and eat the tariff. Not happening.

(2) They pass the tariff down to the consumer. Probably will try but the dynamics of pricing elasticity and supply/demand are real...especially for countries with really high tariffs levied. They could also try to shift capacity to non-US markets but again supply/demand. That will just drive down prices in those countries. The vendor kind of gets screwed either way here.

(3) They try to spread the cost across all customers including those outside the U.S. In this way non-U.S. customers subsidize the tariff. Cost increases are less noticeable. Thats what really happens with all tariffs if you study or are familiar with how companies handle international pricing and incremental margin vs capacity analysis.

(4) Like you said, they sell less in the US and raise prices outside the US to offset. I mean they could do this, but #3 likely has better math for them.

In reality probably a combination of all 4, but mostly #2-4.