Getting back into it...

[c4mpbell]

So it's been maybe 15 years without any saltwater. I moved across the world to the US and have finally settled down and it's was time to restart.

I consider myself 'new' because there is so much stuff that is now considered standard like LED lights, DC pumps, Electronic Control Systems and Electronic Test kits that were considered 'cutting edge' 15 years ago.

What I would like to talk about is corals.... Please bear in mind I only have a UK perspective on coral buying from 15 years ago. I don't know if the current 'coral culture' has always been like this in America. What I'm really talking about is FRAGGING.
15 years ago I was buying whole colonies for $60.... now we're buying frags for $60 of the same thing. I remember specifically buying a rock loaded with blue (nothing spectacular, discosoma) mushrooms, it was $35, maybe 12 heads. Last week i wanted the same blue mushrooms.... $25 for 2 heads. Don't even get my started on Euphyllias!

It's is actually kinda sad guys, the hobby I left 15 years ago is nothing like what it is now. I was used to going into stores and 80% of the stock would be colonies, now 80% is fragging. It's like I'm visiting frag specialist stores.

Through googling I have learnt that coral exports have changed dramatically (some countries banning exports) I assume that is what has changed or hobby.

Anyone want to educate/enlighten me on this?.......

 

[Reefing102]

Welcome back to the hobby and to the US!

While exports have changed, many of the places are still open or reopened such as Australia and Indo and colonies come in to importers on a regular basis. Those importers then frag them or sell them to stores who frag them. Luckily I found a place that imports them and gives the opportunity to buy the whole colony prior to fragging it up (on Facebook). While everyone can give a reason as to why, common reasons are:

• Supply and demand - The importers/stores know people will pay just as much for a frag as they will for a colony. Why get $150 for a small colony when the store can get $500 worth of frags?
• Frags are what many people want. Some people only have the space for a frag plug or enjoy the grow out to see how it develops.
• And lastly coral mortality. Similar money aspect as supply and demand, but just like you experience a death in shipping, importers and stores experience death in shipping that may or may not be covered. They have to make up that loss so they frag those that came in to get more money and cover their losses.

That said I wish more places sold colonies. I do have one LFS that is relatively reasonable. They have a rock of those blue discos with about 20-30 mushrooms on it that they’re asking $80 for (very tempting)

 

[Uncle99]

A purchase of 100 assorted coral colonies from a supplier is about $5,000, but shipping was almost 3x @$14,000.
Many have moved to smaller footprints to keep cost in check.
Be watchful of fancy name marketing, stick to heath and colour.
Shop around if you can.
In the end, king Midas Zoa is still Zoa.
For some reason, corals are significantly more expensive in the US than Canada….?
Strange

 

[Reefing102]

A purchase of 100 assorted coral colonies from a supplier is about $5,000, but shipping was almost 3x @$14,000.
Many have moved to smaller footprints to keep cost in check.
Be watchful of fancy name marketing, stick to heath and colour.
Shop around if you can.
In the end, king Midas Zoa is still Zoa.
For some reason, corals are significantly more expensive in the US than Canada….?
Strange

Although king Midas are amazing . That’s the one Zoa I’d like to get that no one around here has lol

I did forget about the massive shipping increase