Throwing away coral? When to draw the line?

[Fernthereefer]

Let me be straight first: I would hate to have to throw away any coral.

The problem:
So I am currently debating on what to do. I have been building a GSP wall, but now it has come time to remove the original colony (at the foot). My coral collection has reached a point where I have to consider the space of all the corals to allow for healthy growth. The GSP was my first ever coral and it was a fantastic experience learning to keep it, but the tank is outgrowing it. I will still keep the wall and maintain it.

I have put it for sale for cheap a few month back, no answer. But now I was considering giving it away. However, would that not be a disservice to the community? Especially the hard hit LFS ? I have a good relationship with all the owners and want to respect their small market.

I purposely put a controversial title to get attention on the topic, but for now I will not throw the coral away.

 

[Tired]

You could always give it to the LFS. They have more potential buyers than you.

I think if you were giving away a large number of free corals, or rare ones, you could potentially run into a problem. But I don't think giving away a piece of GSP is going to do any harm to the local market.

 

[Fernthereefer]

Rather than harming the market, I am thinking about respecting their trade.

I will talk to my LFS.

 

[footgal]

Rather than harming the market, I am thinking about respecting their trade.

I will talk to my LFS.

I agree, you should ask your LFS if you can turn it in for store credit. That’s what I do with my gsp/Birdsnest/low end zoas/cheato etc if I find I have too much. It probably won’t be a ton of store credit but if you keep turning it in it builds up quick

 

[DrMMI]

I had a couple of rocks covered in xenia. I couldn't sell it even though I priced it cheap. I ended up listing it for free and it was gone in a day.

 

[Salty Rambler]

Giving corals away for free is also a good way to convince people to take the plunge into the reef side of the hobby. If they have success with the freebie, they'll likely be at the LFS store in the next month to buy it some friends.

 

[bigkamp]

If it’s free send it my way I’m in south NJ anyone feel free to gift me any over growths needing loving homes lol see my trash can budget reef build I have two threads just started second cycle with fish coral lamps should be here sunday. How cool would it be if the entire group of super awesome overly generous did I say super awesome? Cause I ment it! totally RAD peeps added even one micro frag....it’s a 135g old school big heavy glass not drilled anywhere style tank...That would make an awesome thread! Who’s down?

 

[bigkamp]

Why did they censor tiny butt or bad butt I forget which I typed lol that’s so cute lol just noticed they do that my bad don’t mean to offend I like it here

 

[Rmckoy]

Id offer it to the lfs for credit .
Or even give to someone new to the hobby .

cheap , easy to grow corals are getting hard to find .
I’m in the same position with cheap green palys . For years I couldn’t keep or grow palys ,
This colony has taken off and spread everywhere .
I was looking into options to thin the colony a little .
Also have Xenia , gsp that all need to be cut back .
Only if acros grew that fast .

 

[Jonify]

Call your LFS first and see if they will take it (they take lots of specimens every day, so a quick phone call before you head out is best). Otherwise, give it away. Lacking that and as a final option, I do not feel bad about trimming coral that already grows like a weed, especially if it's encroaching on something else.

 

[Robert Ranciato]

I really don't think you should be worried about giving it away I always post free stuff on reef2reef I wish someone helped me out with free coral when I Started. The money that the person was going to spend on the coral you gave them will be spent on a different piece.

 

[Fernthereefer]

Thanks guys, I ended up offering it to a local reefer. Turns out there IS a third option: making new connections in the community. LOL

Thanks all for the input.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

When I started I bought a GSP frag for something ridiculous like $35 and a Xenia frag for $25. Give it away to new reefers for free or trade for store credit. This hobby is expensive enough.

 

[footgal]

When I started I bought a GSP frag for something ridiculous like $35 and a Xenia frag for $25. Give it away to new reefers for free or trade for store credit. This hobby is expensive enough.

Truth! I paid $25 for GSP before I knew anything! Now I give it away or trade for other easy softies. Ive given away so much xenia I cant even tell you... Made a new friend out of it though and now he has a beautiful FOWLR + Xenia tank that looks gorgeous!

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Connections and friends in the hobby far outweigh the extra $.

 

[Hectorg214]

Truth! I paid $25 for GSP before I knew anything! Now I give it away or trade for other easy softies. Ive given away so much xenia I cant even tell you... Made a new friend out of it though and now he has a beautiful FOWLR + Xenia tank that looks gorgeous!

Next time u need to trim ur xenia send some my way. I live in Dallas and not many lfs carry it.

 

[footgal]

Next time u need to trim ur xenia send some my way. I live in Dallas and not many lfs carry it.

I’m happy to try, but Xenia is notoriously difficult to ship. Shoot me a PM and let’s see if we can work something out