Respectful disagreement is all good.
I should be clear as well. I'm not saying everyone is to blame (personally) for the inflated prices etc. But the hobby has certain characteristics as a result of its central tenets. If it were simply a hobby about the wonder of keeping difficult to keep creatures alive in an aquarium, then we'd as likely be keeping horseshoe crabs as we would Acropora. But, IMO, it's the inherent beauty of coral that makes reefkeeping so popular. So, a hobby with that as one of its driving forces inevitably creates distortions like the LE coral craze.
Thanks for the great dialogue my friend.
In my opinion, reefing has always been popular. I think distortion denotes confusion and lack of clarity, but there isn't any. They're lies as there is no such thing as LE. It's but one of 4 labels created and applied that equals more money for the seller. Thus, these popular corals are now highly profitable ones.
All the advice put out in this forum (including by you Mucho) is exactly what's needed to stop those worst tendencies getting out of hand. But we have to be aware that our own desire for the best looking coral and to show off our own corals in the best possible light have the potential to add fuel to the fire. So, I stop buying from vendors that I know manipulate how their coral looks. I keep myself to a strict budget. I avoid getting pulled into the naming craze, despite how stunning some of the corals look and my desire to identify what I have as accurately as possible. Every single one of us has the potential to be a brake on it as much as part of the problem.
LOL, wow, I wish I did have that kind of power to say something and have everyone listen and follow me, but I don't.
I agree with you in that reefing as it relates to zoas and palys has been reduced to having the best and showing off the best to impress everyone. Much respect to you for having that ability to pump the brakes and say no to those who manipulate the appearance of their corals and keeping within your budgetary constraints. I also admire the fact that you haven't been "pulled into the naming craze". Trust me, I put the brakes on as soon as the names and high prices began back in 05/06. We agree after all.
Hope that's a little clearer. I was trying to make a point about personal responsibility.
Yes it is, and thank you.
Oh, and thanks for the good wishes. I'm fine, as is everyone in Tokyo I'm guessing. It was a tough few weeks for various reasons, but my problems over that time were as nothing compared to the poor souls in the north who lost their lives, or their nearest and dearest, communities and towns.
OMG, you can't catch a break. Just heard that a 7.4 earthquake just hit Miyagi, Japan and that a Tsunami warning has been issued for the north east coast. One to four waves are predicted. My heart goes out to you man, your family and Japan. Stay safe my friend, you're still in our thoughts and prayers. Suddenly, this thread and the above topic doesn't mean anything. Let us know how you are when you can. Gonna drop you a PM as well.
