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- Thread starter MUCHO REEF
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Azurel
In Memoriam
I would pay $50 a polyp for a zoanthid that is unique like a PPE or something similar. To me it's about the polyp or the zoanthid morph not the dollar. Lets face it some color morphs are rare(low circulation) with in the hobby. I think people get or see the term rare and think that it exist only in limited numbers in the sea which most likely isn't the case. Rare when it is described within the hobby means lack or low circulation among the hobbyist. If this were true that PPEs for example(that's the one everybody uses) were being pulled up in mass colonies then they would be everywhere and everyone would have some and you wouldn't be paying$35-$50 a polyp for them. The fact is they don't and they aren't in everybody's tanks, there for why shouldn't somebody either make a little cash to advance his/her own tank or use it as trading leverage to make trades with. Like I said I don't put the value of the dollar on the zoanthid but the uniqueness of the zoanthid on the dollar. It's only money.....That's not to say I''m rich because I'm not but the money don't mean as much to me, and if I think it is worth it then I will pay for it....
That is to say blatant gouging or trying to take advantage is cool cause it isn't and that only makes the seller or trader look bad. Those people I wouldn't deal with....
That is to say blatant gouging or trying to take advantage is cool cause it isn't and that only makes the seller or trader look bad. Those people I wouldn't deal with....
MinibowMatt
Active member
lol! the zoaid ones are mine!
there is only one frag of that colony around, and I know he isnt trading them. I got those on a trade, and thats the only way the'll leave my tank.
AS far as those desert fox ones at the other site, that pic is sooo photoshopped its unreal... and 20 per is still too much.
there is only one frag of that colony around, and I know he isnt trading them. I got those on a trade, and thats the only way the'll leave my tank.
AS far as those desert fox ones at the other site, that pic is sooo photoshopped its unreal... and 20 per is still too much.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7385307#post7385307 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mr. Ugly
Hey Matt,
Check these out
http://www.thecoraloasis.com/limited/limiteddesertfox.htm
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?module=pnGallery2&func=main&g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=321
MinibowMatt
Active member
they are very similar... I like the dark purple tips.. Did you buy them or trade for em?
surfnvb7
Premium Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7386363#post7386363 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mr. Ugly
Heh, I know those are yours. That's why I posted the link
Not photoshopped though. Mine look like that too. I think mostly he didn't adjust his white balance.
yeah, they arent photoshopped. i've seen multiple pics from multiple different people i've saved, and they all look generally the same as your originals minibowmatt. i think they are basically the same thing, just different strains. and as different strains emerge out, they are both subjected to different tank conditions/lighting etc...so they prob have a little bit of variability to them. but essentially it is IMO they are the same thing.
cowcio
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7386363#post7386363 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mr. Ugly
Heh, I know those are yours. That's why I posted the link
Not photoshopped though. Mine look like that too. I think mostly he didn't adjust his white balance.
I have a 4 polyp frag of those plus some babies budding!
Mine don't look quite as stunning under PC actinics, but when the MHs turn on, it's magic!
This is one of those great debate issues. I have been collecting zoas since January so I am interested in any and everything. I have around 20 color morphs so my tank is far from complete. Mostly I have spent $10-15 on frags and there will be 5 - 30 polyps. That being said I just bought some tubs blues for $9 per polyp and a 2 polyp PHE for $40. I do not care if they are "rare" or expensive rather if I find them interesting. I say this because I still have issues concerning color morphs under different lighting conditions and tank placement. I saw the desert foxes for sale for $20 per polyp and would be willing to buy a single polyp for that price. After several months the frag would grow and the cost per polyp would decrease.
If you think about it, even spending $25 on a single polyp really is not that bad when you consider some LPS's that go for 3x that. If you ever sell a single frag to another reefer and at a fair price you have actually spent little money.
Bottom line we hobbists spend alot of money, probably too much since our society always goes for the bells and whistles rather than what is neccessary.
If you think about it, even spending $25 on a single polyp really is not that bad when you consider some LPS's that go for 3x that. If you ever sell a single frag to another reefer and at a fair price you have actually spent little money.
Bottom line we hobbists spend alot of money, probably too much since our society always goes for the bells and whistles rather than what is neccessary.
Here's my .02
How much YOU would pay for a polyp is irrelevant when it comes to anything other than what is going to go into YOUR tank. None of the corals we seek after are innately worth more money than another, thus the ONLY thing driving the price of a coral is the same thing that runs our American economy and that is capitalism and the concept of supply and demand.
I've been in this hobby over the years with different balances in my bank account. And frankly the amount of money I will spend on a coral really ends up depending on how much I personally want it and where my bank account happens to be.
The threads railing someone for paying $x for a coral are so childish it's unbelievable. The person writing about how stupid a purchase was, later in the evening turns on their $5000 plasma TV- a purchase I would not make, but I'm not gonna tell someone it was stupid of them to do that with THEIR money!! That's the point, what people choose to do with their money is their business, and those who sell the corals for the "higher" amounts are simply in ownership of usually elusive corals and as long as there is a population to buy them, there will be a market to supply them.
Keep in mind, good or bad, finances are relative. $500 to one person is a drop in the bucket, while to another it's a paycheck. Does it suck to sit back and watch a coral you'd really like sell for more money than you'd pay for it? Sure.
But let's call it like it is, when you then complain about it---- it's simply envy that spurred the comment.
Just some thoughts.
How much YOU would pay for a polyp is irrelevant when it comes to anything other than what is going to go into YOUR tank. None of the corals we seek after are innately worth more money than another, thus the ONLY thing driving the price of a coral is the same thing that runs our American economy and that is capitalism and the concept of supply and demand.
I've been in this hobby over the years with different balances in my bank account. And frankly the amount of money I will spend on a coral really ends up depending on how much I personally want it and where my bank account happens to be.
The threads railing someone for paying $x for a coral are so childish it's unbelievable. The person writing about how stupid a purchase was, later in the evening turns on their $5000 plasma TV- a purchase I would not make, but I'm not gonna tell someone it was stupid of them to do that with THEIR money!! That's the point, what people choose to do with their money is their business, and those who sell the corals for the "higher" amounts are simply in ownership of usually elusive corals and as long as there is a population to buy them, there will be a market to supply them.
Keep in mind, good or bad, finances are relative. $500 to one person is a drop in the bucket, while to another it's a paycheck. Does it suck to sit back and watch a coral you'd really like sell for more money than you'd pay for it? Sure.
But let's call it like it is, when you then complain about it---- it's simply envy that spurred the comment.
Just some thoughts.
Mr. Ugly
New member
Yep, that's how I look at it.
I picked up a super small frag of original superman danae for about the going rate per sq inch. Not normally the kind of money I spend on livestock, but I've always liked that coral. Neat color combination, nice texture, montis grow fast in my tank, and it still has decent trade value for other neat stuff. I kind of looked at it as the price of admission to get into the fun. And also, the store is one of our club sponsors, and I didn't mind spending money there, considering all the good stuff they've done for us.
I know a few reefers here though... they could take or leave the LE stuff. They're interested in corals that are even more rare and and exotic looking than the typical LE. As far as the Superman, they think, "That's so old... *everybody* has Superman." I guess it *is* boring compared to stuff that they can get. If I told them I actually bought some, they'd look at me wierd
Heh... $100 micromussa polyps
There are some awesome looking ones. They grow faster than zoas too. I like them, but haven't bought any though.
smp
New member
Capitalism isn't the be all, end all. Regulation still exists in the U.S economy, there is no zoa economics regulation however. Apples to oranges.
I think there is a lot of price gauging going on a la "enron" in this hobby and it sucks, I'll say it now and I'll say it to someone that pays 50 for a polyp.
price gouging:
--prices unreasonably exceed those ordinarily charged for comparable goods and services in the same market area both before and at the time of a declared emergency.
or
n : pricing above the market when no alternative retailer is available
Coral prices SET the market, there is no other way of determining what a coral is worth.
Maybe we are arguing semantics ,but, I don't see how it's price gouging if its NOT a NEEDED item and people who could buy something else pretty choose to buy a zoa at $50 a pop!
Reefkeeping is an optional hobby, so are the corals we buy.
Don't get me wrong-- I'd love it if prices were cheaper than they are. I just can't get upset at the system just because I can't afford something that someone else can. I pass on coral all the time cause I'm not gonna pay what it is priced at. Sometimes even on a coral I've been looking for for years......
Why does it "suck" that someone paid $50 for a polyp? Didn't they choose to do so?
--prices unreasonably exceed those ordinarily charged for comparable goods and services in the same market area both before and at the time of a declared emergency.
or
n : pricing above the market when no alternative retailer is available
Coral prices SET the market, there is no other way of determining what a coral is worth.
Maybe we are arguing semantics ,but, I don't see how it's price gouging if its NOT a NEEDED item and people who could buy something else pretty choose to buy a zoa at $50 a pop!
Reefkeeping is an optional hobby, so are the corals we buy.
Don't get me wrong-- I'd love it if prices were cheaper than they are. I just can't get upset at the system just because I can't afford something that someone else can. I pass on coral all the time cause I'm not gonna pay what it is priced at. Sometimes even on a coral I've been looking for for years......
Why does it "suck" that someone paid $50 for a polyp? Didn't they choose to do so?
Mr. Ugly
New member
Gresh, no prob. Got you covered! Lemme grow the polyps out some more<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7386683#post7386683 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GreshamH
Hmmm, I think I need to come by your house
I threw some into the meeting raffle with the zoa frag packs last month y'know
Don't remember who got that one.
smp
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7390023#post7390023 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pondfrog
price gouging:
--prices unreasonably exceed those ordinarily charged for comparable goods and services in the same market area both before and at the time of a declared emergency.
or
n : pricing above the market when no alternative retailer is available
Coral prices SET the market, there is no other way of determining what a coral is worth.
Maybe we are arguing semantics ,but, I don't see how it's price gouging if its NOT a NEEDED item and people who could buy something else pretty choose to buy a zoa at $50 a pop!
Reefkeeping is an optional hobby, so are the corals we buy.
Don't get me wrong-- I'd love it if prices were cheaper than they are. I just can't get upset at the system just because I can't afford something that someone else can. I pass on coral all the time cause I'm not gonna pay what it is priced at. Sometimes even on a coral I've been looking for for years......
Why does it "suck" that someone paid $50 for a polyp? Didn't they choose to do so?
it's true.
Reef keeping is an addiction to some of us though
(therefore a necessity, therefore gauging )
Well one way to combat the prices of corals such as the micromussa is get 4 or 5 reef friends to split the cost of a single polyp. Everyone knows this but it still makes sense. If it is something that grows quickly and will frag within 6 months, then by the end of a year everyone would have a frag. The question here is: Is waiting a year for a coral worth it if you save $80? If you say yes then you are the "frugal reefer" who is obsessive but not willing to go into debt. I belong to this group. If you say no then either you have large amounts of free money or just willing to give up cash for other things such as eating out and buying that plasma TV.
Our society also has been conditioned for instant gradification. We want our food 5 minutes ago, need faster dial up opps I meant high speed internet etc. We reefers are no different. Take a look at the TOTM's. Many are less than 5 years old and some are even less than 2. Our reefs are microwaved while natural reefs are in a BBQ smoker. Sorry I am hungry and am going to go eat a PB&J rather than going out for lunch so I can afford my next frag.
Our society also has been conditioned for instant gradification. We want our food 5 minutes ago, need faster dial up opps I meant high speed internet etc. We reefers are no different. Take a look at the TOTM's. Many are less than 5 years old and some are even less than 2. Our reefs are microwaved while natural reefs are in a BBQ smoker. Sorry I am hungry and am going to go eat a PB&J rather than going out for lunch so I can afford my next frag.
