Do you buy Zoas b/c you like them or is it an investment?

[deladarkstep]

Basically, here's my dillema. I am on a zoa/paly binge and I want something rare and beautiful. Now I can find plenty of colonies of faster growing or with zoas that have less "hype". I have a nano tank (28) and I feel that in a year or so I'd have to frag some. When you buy your zoos are you looking for some return on your purchase later? Nobody is going to want common green zoos, but If I make the plunge and get zoa's that go for 40$ a polyp or more, wouldn't it be the smart thing to do if I can afford it? this way I can sell a frag of 3 polyps every now and again and eventually pay myself back?

The problem is that these more rare frags often grow slower and lose their hype status or value over time when people start getting their hands on them.

So I'm not asking what I should do just giving you thoughts, But I am asking what you guys do!?

Any insight on how you justify costs and ROI if you plan on it would be great.:artist:

 

[buttons buster]

I just buy them because I like them

 

[deladarkstep]

I just buy them because I like them

Do you buy the expensive ones?

 

[RGC]

I only buy them because I don't have them and I like them. how rare/how much money they are worth means nothing to me.

 

[deladarkstep]

I agree the $ isn't what attracts me, it's the fact that I have something in my tank that only a select few have.

 

[wrasseisback]

I to buy them because I like them... the return on them eventually is a plus but that's not my sole reason for getting something.

 

[tgray3]

I buy 'em if i like 'em. I lot of the expensive or rare zoa's, all corals really, that i see i don't really like the look of and would never buy.

 

[wrasseisback]

It's also nice when you have the "rare zoas" & stuff that you can trade and obtain other rare things that you don't already have...

 

[TellyFish]

Well, on one hand I see what your saying. If your growing them, why not grow a species which has a higher resell? Makes sense.

At the same time, I have never really considered this in my purchasing. If I find a good deal on hornets or something, Ill pick them up. But in general, expecting a ROI on your purchase is probably the wrong way to look at the "hobby" (if that's what it is to you).

 

[deladarkstep]

It's also nice when you have the "rare zoas" & stuff that you can trade and obtain other rare things that you don't already have...

At the same time, I have never really considered this in my purchasing. If I find a good deal on hornets or something, Ill pick them up. But in general, expecting a ROI on your purchase is probably the wrong way to look at the "hobby" (if that's what it is to you).

Exactly, If you buy a nice frag of purple hornets or w/e get more than 10 polyps over time , trade 6 polyps for darth mauls and another couple. then you have 3 rare colonies for the price of 1. but yes it takes time

It's not about making money, it's about getting the most value out of your purchase, for enjoyment and practical reasons. I.E. a rare frag that grows has great trade value than a common colony for the same price.

 

[Friday Night]

First off great question and good thread Delad.. i also buy them cuz i like them... i have a range of mainstream to rare... at the end of the day what do i prefer better? the "rare" ones.. why? cuz i like to be different.... but over time i see that people have sold out and insted of collecting for the" hobby" its all about making money as well as bragging rights..

but at the end of the day collect what YOU wanna collect. Also buy it for what YOU think its worth not what everyone and thier mother is charging.

just my .02 good luck bro

 

[Genetics]

"Rare" is a term that dilutes over time. Paying a high price thinking its an investment is probably the worst thing you could do. I remember when some varieties were over $50, even a $100 a polyp, and now can be bought for a few dollars for relatively large colony frags. In the end the most popular "rare" become so common that you should buy what you find attractive and go from there.

 

[wrasseisback]

"Rare" is a term that dilutes over time. Paying a high price thinking its an investment is probably the worst thing you could do. I remember when some varieties were over $50, even a $100 a polyp, and now can be bought for a few dollars for relatively large colony frags. In the end the most popular "rare" become so common that you should buy what you find attractive and go from there.

This is very true. I've seen it happen multiple times.

PS Beautiful mystery wrasse. That's one of my favorite fish.

 

[deladarkstep]

First off great question and good thread Delad..

Thanks Friday Night... I was hoping this could be a good discussion and not a businessmen vs collectors flame war.

I was wondering if somebody has a chart of some of the most sought after zoos and their values over time something like....

ALL NAMES and values ARE MADE UP


NAME 2005 VALUE (per polyp)

Blacks 10
blues 15
Purples 20
Multies 25
Death 42

NAME 2006 VALUE (per polyp)

Blacks 25
blues 10
Purples 05
Multies 15
Death 82


NAME 2007 VALUE (per polyp)

Blacks 5
blues 35
Purples 10
Multies 20
Death 15

ETC...

 

[Amici316]

I buy because I like them, I dont consider anything living "an investment" since you can walk back later and its dead.

 

[deladarkstep]

My biggest problem is that I agree with everything everyone sais. that's why I posted this. I need a mass consensus to help me see where I stand lol.

Now we just have to wait for the one post that states "I have collected zoa's and payed for every single piece of hardware and livestock fragging the mother colonies" lol:spin2:

 

[Scott-CapeCoral]

Buy what you enjoy looking at every time you see your tank. I think some people train themselves into liking certain zoas over others. I'm one of those people. When I think about it, I really really enjoy looking at eagle eye zoanthids. They are gorgeous if you actually pay attention to them. Purple mouth, orangish body after that, then bright green skirts, that's beautiful. But they are soooo common that I/alot of people just overlook them. However seeing a colony of tubbs blues create an OOOOO - AHHHHHH effect. I speak for myself here, but I like the tubbs blues more only because of the resale value. When I stop seeing the dollar signs and start thinking about actual color it then seems funny how the more expensive tubbs surpassed the eagle eyes and other common yet beautiful zoas out there.

 

[SIR PATRICK]

I buy them because I like them.

 

[wrasseisback]

My biggest problem is that I agree with everything everyone sais. that's why I posted this. I need a mass consensus to help me see where I stand lol.

Now we just have to wait for the one post that states "I have collected zoa's and payed for every single piece of hardware and livestock fragging the mother colonies" lol:spin2:

I don't think anyone will chime in saying they've paid for everything by fragging their mother colonies... This hobby is a money pit... Fragging just helps supplement it a bit unless you do it on a huge scale I guess.

 

[Fishindude88]

I buy what I like. A few months before the purple hornets craze I saw a polyp of one in a tank, having no idea what it was, and loved it. I had to have it and paid a hundred bucks for a single polyp and am happy.
I used to prematurely frag for the return of investment, but I gave up looking to sell my corals. I realized I spent the money and would rather see them grow until I have to frag them or they frag themselves.