What's the BIGGEST drawback of buying livestock from fellow hobbyists?
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- Thread starter revhtree
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Gatorpa
Well-Known Member
While that is true isn’t there some benefit to being able to spread out live stock and build a larger network for corals?
Now if the LFS was able to handle frags from hobbyists it could be a win win. If they were worried about pests they could set up a separate system just for homegrown stuff buyer beware.
All the stuff I’ve ever sold back over the years I’ve never not spent more than my “credit”.
That’s why if u do buy, buy off people w healthy looking systems that u know or have good positive feedback. Then dip, inspect, brush, pick etc if necessary and remount. Even that isn’t foolproof but good practice.
Other!
Because there are so many talented reefers within driving distance and they sell beautiful coral frags and colonies that are fantastic deals with crazy low prices.
So the problem is that I never have enough spare cash or space in my system to decide which corals to spend money on when there are so many to choose from.
Because there are so many talented reefers within driving distance and they sell beautiful coral frags and colonies that are fantastic deals with crazy low prices.
So the problem is that I never have enough spare cash or space in my system to decide which corals to spend money on when there are so many to choose from.
Chrisv.
2500 Club Member
Strongly agree with all of this. I essentially never buy coral from a retailer. Only from other members of my local club. The only time I have seen a coral pest in recent history was from a retailer. Prices are way better from local club members too.
Chrisv.
2500 Club Member
Given your location I guess I'm surprised you get out to visit local reefers so frequently...Other!
Because there are so many talented reefers within driving distance and they sell beautiful coral frags and colonies that are fantastic deals with crazy low prices.
So the problem is that I never have enough spare cash or space in my system to decide which corals to spend money on when there are so many to choose from.
I manage the tank here inside and have a great relationship with the overseers.
BelieveInBlue
Active Member
I spend plenty (read: waaaaaay too much) on dry goods at my LFS. From what I remember that's where the profit is anyways so I've no problem buying frags from other hobbyists. Besides, buying frags off hobbyists also helps promote the hobby. Plus, let's be real, most of us take the money we get from selling corals and put it right back into food/salt/livestock anyways, so there's a good chance that money ends up in the hands of the LFS anyways.
People not knowing how to properly ship , not letting see the coral in the tank, quick flippers using other peoples pics they bought from or combined several flipped specimens from multiple tanks into one tank (pests), bad fragging /chop shop practices, misidentified specimens, poor health from the quick flippers…..I know a few that do it .
Jhav89
Active Member
Jawbreakers sold to me as dime to quarter size with one freebie. Clearly 2 of them are tissue samples. Fortunately I only paid for one of the booger(working out a refund hopefully). I was even assured the tissue samples would be dime size. Pffft... So I guess the larger of the 3 should be the size of a small pizza in a week's time!
It has been my only negative experience buying from another hobbyist. I have always enjoyed "talking shop" and picking their brain about methods and set up. Freebie frags are always more common with a hobbyist too, so I do like that!!
It has been my only negative experience buying from another hobbyist. I have always enjoyed "talking shop" and picking their brain about methods and set up. Freebie frags are always more common with a hobbyist too, so I do like that!!
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nomad6
Active Member
I’d be careful about using peroxide directly on the plug, tried peroxide/ toothbrush on a Duncan plug and some of the flesh receded, didn’t die but there was die off might’ve not been diluted enough. I’m talking about using peroxide vs iodine as a dip for questionable sources apparently all the farms use it in large quantities. Been dosing one of my tanks 1ml/ 10 gals and slowly increasing to see if it has any effect on a small gha and cyano outbreak. Tanks fairly new but I’m hesitant to use chemiclean until other options are exhausted
nomad6
Active Member
When I started the hobby I was sold things my tank wasn’t ready for by the “reputable” lfs in my area. It’s all about the sales and if you’re not buying thousands of dollars you’re just a chum to them. Last couple of times I’ve gone to the lfs I’ve dropped several hundred dollars and still (now being a lot more informed) was trying to sell me items without asking me or informing me of care or requirements. Needless to say, MOST lfs are about profit only. There was a lfs that closed down a couple of yrs ago that really informed the buyer but unfortunately it no longer exists. Just pointing out the ugly like I said there’s a FEW out there that do care but there’s more of the ones that don’t, it’s gonna die they’ll blame it on you you’ll come back buy more business model. Yes, informing oneself is key obviously but most of new hobbyist rely on expertise of the lfs like I did, big mistake. I’ve been trying to get my hands on a stubby clown and despite my efforts to coordinate locally (not because of lack of stock from distributors but from quantity I’m purchasing) I can’t seem to get one, looks like live aquaria will get my $$. I’m not buying 3 or 4 tangs so they don’t gaf about what I’m looking for.
jkcoral
Valuable Member
I live within 30 minutes of the very well known “big coral” vendors in central Florida. Even with “the big names” being my LFS, I’ve severely cut (almost entirely) buying from vendors after finally starting to buy/trade with local reefers a few years ago. In the spirit of the thread, here are a few of the biggest drawbacks and downsides buying from hobbyist based on my experiences:
- Having to have the awkward “your place or mine” conversation when trying to link up for a trade or purchase
- If they come to your place, feeling anxious and sad thinking that a fellow reefer is looking at your beloved tank like it’s a tiny, diseased monument of mediocracy. (Never had this happen lol. Reefers are cool. But the feeling is there when you know a guy with a 400g system is coming to pick up a frag from my humble 30g)
- If going to their place, feeling like a poor when you walk in and see a way bigger tank than you own, a tank that literally looks perfect, or a tank that is full of wonderful things you’d only been able to dream of owning
- If meeting up at some neutral meeting place, feeling like a weird couple of junkies swapping bags of aquatic life in a Walgreens or gas station parking lot
- On a more serious note, it is a bummer/drawback when you see local hobbyist trying to sell or value something at insane retail prices or even higher. “I know what I got, no lowballs” type.
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BelieveInBlue
Active Member
This is so accurate it hurts, especially since I do most of my buying/selling/trading in the evening in public places like mall parking lots or parks. I'm always wondering if some family is calling the cops on me for suspicious activity
jkcoral
Valuable Member
This is so accurate it hurts, especially since I do most of my buying/selling/trading in the evening in public places like mall parking lots or parks. I'm always wondering if some family is calling the cops on me for suspicious activity
Haha! Yep!
I always think about how funny it would be if the cops pulled up thinking they are going to make a drug bust only to see some small cooler, maybe a Tupperware container, or even a ziplock bag full of water and a couple of Zoas or a branch of SPS haha.
My biggest issue whether it’s from a hobbies or vendor is the size of the coral. I don’t know if it is on a 3/4” plug,1”plug, 2”tile or…., Not all egg crate is 3/4” either.
I wish every seller put a quarter (or some other widely accepted object for reference.
I wish every seller put a quarter (or some other widely accepted object for reference.
fish farmer
2500 Club Member
You must have some amazing local fish stores!
I voted pests....full disclosure....you get something from me, you may want to dip, scrape, torch.
Arranging meeting times/distance issues that fit with both parties schedule. Most of the good hobbyists I would cater to "locally" are an hour plus away and are active on this forum, there's this guy named reefbum just over the hill from me, but he only ships.
I haven't bought or traded with hobbyists for several years, the last was a great experience with a guy from Ohio with two day Priority Mail shipping. I probably wouldn't try that now.
Digitalfirex
5000 Club Member
I voted for pests and other. Pests like bubble algea etc becuase if you start with dead sand and dead rock... nausance algea has to come from somewhere lol
Other for me would be a mis ID on coral. So maybe buying a certain strain of zoa but it isn't actually that etc. Not a big deal if I'm buying WYSWYG, no name and reasonable price... obviously it's a bigger issue if buying a brand I guess.
Other for me would be a mis ID on coral. So maybe buying a certain strain of zoa but it isn't actually that etc. Not a big deal if I'm buying WYSWYG, no name and reasonable price... obviously it's a bigger issue if buying a brand I guess.
