Why do you buy expensive corals/frags? Investment?

[revhtree]

DISCLAIMER: There is nothing wrong with buying expensive corals. This is just about why so let's please keep the discussion focused on that!

I was talking to someone over the weekend at an aquarium show and we started talking about why people buy expensive corals and frags. So thinking off the top of my head I can come to a few possible conclusions.

1. They like the color and growth pattern and how it fits with the plan of their reef tank.

2. They like expensive corals because it's kinda like a reef status symbol.

3. They are buying the corals as an investment to make money back from the hobby.

This should kick off a nice discussion and I would like to hear from you.

Why do you think people buy expensive corals or frags?

image via @lovemyreef

 

[Jacked Reefer]

I buy more expensive corals so I can sell em' for less. Hopefully lowering the cost in the long run so everyone can have pretty coral without paying big bucks.

 

[UCF Alum]

The prettier they are the more money they cost. I like nice looking sticks and spend more on them as opposed to the plain green or purple acros.

 

[Strawberry]

I think price is only a small component of choosing corals. I buy what I like and absolutely refuse to put anything in my tank that isn’t beautiful.

 

[tsav87]

Buying expensive corals is like putting the cherry on top of and ice cream sundae. All about the look.

 

[badfishaz]

I buy expensive corals because I like the way they look and because I am fortunate enough to be able to, however when I sell frags of these colonies once they grow out I usually give them away for half of what I pay to hopefully help someone else out get a cool coral without all of the market price gouging that takes place in this hobby.

 

[Stoney]

Something tells me that most people who buy coral as a status symbol either don't realize it or won't admit it.

 

[Barnabie Mejia]

I don't really buy expensive corals, but I do buy good looking coral. to date the most expensive coral that I have bought was a $40 torch, and it now has 5 heads (started with 2). I think its more fear of losing a $100+ coral that would then end up in arguments, and I'm not talking about arguing with myself! haha

but I do like looking at high end stuff and saying "when I win the lotto....."

 

[Brew12]

I don't buy the high priced corals, at least as far as SPS go. To me they only show their best colors under heavy blue lighting. I run my lighting very white during the day. I would only get the full effect of many of the most expensive corals for an hour or two each night.
For me, I want the coral to look good from 5 feet away under white lighting. I'll pay more for a high quality coral, but not one that only looks great under blue lights.

 

[Txplicit]

In accordance with everyone so far. 1: to have apart of nature that I can say I helped grow. 2: to share and propagate helping others achieve it at a lower cost and shared knowledge.

 

[vetteguy53081]

because I budget accordingly :

 

[will25u]

I like how they look and if they grow out, I’ll sell bits for a lot cheaper.

However, I will not spend ridiculous amounts of money on something if it’s ridiculously priced. There’s no way I’d pay more than $50-$80 for one piece of anything.

 

[Hallowhead]

Haha it's my hobby and I get enjoyment out of it and I'm entitled to do things that make me happy.

 

[Steve Ruddy]

I don’t buy expensive corals. I buy common corals that wow from a distance. IMO we created the inflated market. High end corals used to come through wholesale pipeline with no significant price increase.

 

[Dragon52]

I don't buy expensive corals because I'm not willing to take the chance on them dieing plus being retired I don't have the extra $$$ to spend on something that extravagant.

 

[Txplicit]

because I budget accordingly :

This man has his priorities right!

 

[jgvergo]

Something tells me that most people who buy coral as a status symbol either don't realize it or won't admit it.

I have to disagree! 99.99% of the people who see my tank have NO CLUE what anything costs, so how could it possibly be a status symbol?

Like many others who contributed to this post, there is only one thing I care about...the beauty of the specimen.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I don't buy expensive . . . . as for the money , I can get colorful quantity than price and I would be awfully upset if I lost a high priced specimen

 

[Seanislav]

I don't often buy expensive corals, because they're, well, expensive, and I never know how they'll do in my system. When I do buy them, it's because I really like some aspect of them and want to be able to see them in my system, rather than having to go look at them in someone else's tank. I'm not concerned with use of high end livestock to elevate my "status" in the reefing community. I have nary enough time in my schedule for such trivialities.

 

[bearsfish]

I dont buy expensive corals. In fact, I am often looking for the best (least expensive) deal possible. I like to plan my overall concept, but not the specific components for my tank. I know some folks are going to have a hard time with that. In the end, as long as the tank is meeting your needs then all is right in the world.