Group Buy

[RCS]

Should we start a new thread maybe? I think this is a good discussion opportunity.

Matt, I think your three tangs are different enough in shape and color that there wouldn't be any issues. It wasn't simply that it was two tangs, but that it was two Acanthurus sp. of similar color that it struck me as not a very good idea. Personally, I'd say one or the other with another tang, if not of a different genus, at least more of a color contrast.

Still keep me down for two of those velvet nudibranchs though.

 

[imsqueak]

tang police.... :strooper:
hi-jack attack...:frog:
ethics commission...:reading:
We are a funny lot, are we politicians or reefers...:fun1:

I appreciated Fred's warning. It may prove to be good advice or I may get lucky. I'll be adding more tangs down the road and thought about doing them all right now but decided to leave some out to help with future group buys.

Consider, I have 300g and 7 fish which are mostly small ones. I've seem many big tanks with 6 or more tangs and some with 2 or 3 of the same species. At this time, carpet surfing is my biggest concern.

 

[EvilMel]

Oh yeah Don, I totally agree with you that you could have multiple tangs in that tank. I don't think that would be a problem at all. I really like the powder blue tang but as Matt said...unless you get lucky, the chances of survival aren't super great. I do think that those are very impressive fish though.

Thanks Fred. I appreciate it.

As far as me giving up my tank...hah hah. That's something I have seriously considered. I have my opinions about the animals we keep as reef aquarists. I decided a good while ago that I was just not going to buy any fish anymore. I haven't bought a fish in about a year. I only get fish from other reefers who need to find homes for theirs.

I am totally not judging anyone else for buying fish...that's completely fine. I am just not doing that anymore. And I can't tell you how long it's been since I bought a full-sized coral rather than a frag. It would have to be when we got those ones on plugs as that big group buy. I think those are freakin aquacultured.

I really wasn't TRYING to be judgemental and sorry if I came off that way. It just always touches a nerve with me to hear that people put animals into situations that might be dangerous for them.

 

[Runner]

You should have seen the look on the face of a reef store owner in Atlanta when I looked at her big grouper and said "Wow. That's exactly like the ones I used to spear in the Red Sea and eat on the beach in Saudi Arabia.".

I try to be consciencious about my critters, but I don't esteem fish life on par with that of my cat or dog. I have never bought a full-size coral. My tank is entirely frags -- and painfully slow-growing ones at that. My rock was from an old tank or bought from a quarry. Perhaps I am not as sensitive to the plight of fish because many cichlid pairing methods involve the death of a fish or two unless you are quick to remove the odd fish out. I also feed live ghost shrimp to my freshwater tank every month or two. Perhaps that has numbed me to the plight of the extra two peppermint shrimp in my tank. I think the only fish I would cry over losing in my maroon clown. Now pardon me while I go kill millions of cyanobacteria...

Anyway, to get back on-topic, a summary of my above order requests are as follows:
(1) Yellow Eye Kole Tang for $23
(1) Spotted Mandarin Goby (Synchiropus picturatus) for $12.
(5) Mexican Turbo Snails (Turbo fluctuosa) for $2 each.

Plus, if the shipping policy doesn't add an extra charge for brackish fish (which I don't think it does from looking at the site):

(1) Figure 8 puffer (Tetraodon biocellatus) for $7.49
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/...cfm?pCatId=1601


@Matt: If I the kole tang isn't available on this order then I may get you to describe your pairing method to me. I don't want to crowd my tank.

 

[RCS]

I try to be consciencious about my critters, but I don't esteem fish life on par with that of my cat or dog.

I have many fish that are more intelligent than a couple of our dogs. And I'm not joking at all.

Most large cichlids have been shown to have near dog-level intelligence as it is. I think it's easier to keep fish at a distance because they're not as cute and cuddly as some other animals.

Still keep me down for those two velvet nudis when the time comes!

 

[awcurl]

Blue tangs are suppose to eat Zoa, so if your still wanting Zoa's you may want to check into it.

 

[imsqueak]

Yikes, ok blue is on hold till further notice. Not that Zoas are doing well in my tank but maybe one day....

 

[Fishboy42]

Runner, I think Marine Depot Live might have an extra fee if you order a brackish fish from Live Aquaria

(although a group order from them in the future might be a good idea!)

 

[Runner]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6829129#post6829129 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fishboy42
Runner, I think Marine Depot Live might have an extra fee if you order a brackish fish from Live Aquaria

(although a group order from them in the future might be a good idea!)

Oops. I must have crossed my links on that last one. I reckon I can live without it. Aquarium has them from time to time, anyway.

 

[vol_reefer]

OK folks, Friday is coming up fast, so we need to get our order finalized ASAP. I'd actually like to try to call it in late Wed. if at all possible, just in case there's any questions that need to be resolved.

I've gone back through the thread and tried to summarize what everyone wants... it wasn't always entirely clear, so I'll need some clarifications. I'm going to make a rule that nothing gets added to the order unless the orderer sends me a PM to confirm - I don't want to get stuck holding an order that someone doesn't really want.

It looks like the following people wanted in on the order: fishboy42, Pico, Runner, Yellowboyviet, Kafudafish, skwirl, RCS, and imsqueak. I've listed what I have down for each of you below, but again, please PM to confirm. In your PM, please also provide your real name, e-mail address, and the phone number you can be reached at on Friday. Also, if you have a secondary choice if your first choices aren't available, please let me know.

Here's what I currently have in my spreadsheet for each of you:

fishboy42:
Juv. polymnus clown, Qty:1?. Question: Is "small" good enough, or does it specifically need to be a juvenile
Two-banded clown, Size- need to specify, Qty: 1?
True sebae clown, Size - need to specify, Qty: 1?
Black variant clarkii clown, Size - need to specify, Qty: 1?
Gold neon goby, (only one size), Qty: 1?

Pico:
Snails - need to specify type, size, and qty
Hermit crabs - need to specify type, size, and qty

Runner:
Yellow-eyed Kole tang, Size: sm, Qty: 1
Spotted mandarin goby, Size: sm, Qty: 1 - note - not covered by guarantee!
Mexican turbo snails, (only one size), Qty: 5

Yellowboyviet:
Undulate trigger, Size - need to specify, Qty: 1

Kafudafish:
Tank cleaner package - need to specify which one on MDL site
Small fish - need to specify

skwirl:
Hippo tang, >4", Qty:1


RCS:
Velvet sea slug, (only one size), Qty: 2 Note - not covered by guarantee!

imsqueak:
Clarkii clown, Medium, Qty: 1
Green Chromis, >1", Qty: 6
Powder Blue Tang, Med, Qty:1

I think that covers everyone. If not, feel free to drop me a PM. I'll set a cutoff-time of noon Wed. for receipt of your PMs confirming your orders. That will allow me to call MDL on Wed. afternoon.

The plan for pickup will be for me to get the order at the airport on Friday morning and drop it at imsqueak's office (imsqueak - you might want to post directions or PM everyone on the final order). You can pick up your orders and pay him there. I can post to this board as soon as I'm back from dropping everything off, but it will likely be around 9:30 am.

Jeff (vol_reefer)

 

[Pandarian]

PM sent. Thanks Jeff :thumbsup:

 

[skwirl]

you got me listed right. what day are you ordering?

 

[vol_reefer]

So far I've only received confirmations from yellowboyviet and skwirl. I'm guessing more people will need to confirm to make this worthwhile - splitting the shipping cost just two ways isn't going to be a great incentive.

In case you're wondering, I'm still on the fence as to whether I'll get something on this order or not - I just bought a really nice (and unfortunately, pricey) fish at a LFS over the weekend, so it may be a little early for me to get another. Even so, I don't mind organizing the group buy because it will free up some or all of my store credit at MDL.

Anyone else who earlier said they wanted to be part of this: please confirm with a PM to me ASAP.

Skwirl: The plan is to call in the order late Wednesday, but arrange it for to ship out on Thursday, with receipt here in Knoxville on Friday morning. This gives me just a little bit of leeway to work out any questions that come up during the ordering process (for example, on backup choices). Please PM me with your real name and a phone number you'll be at on Friday so I can let you know if there's any shipping hangups, etc. Also, for your order I think there's a very high chance that they'll have what you're looking for, but if not is there something else you'd like instead?

Thanks,
Jeff (vol_reefer)

 

[imsqueak]

My office address is V. Alexander & Co., 3286 North Park Blvd, suite D, Alcoa TN 37701 tel: 865-970-4720x125 Coming from downtown take Alcoa hwy South about 10 miles to the first left after you cross over the Pellissippi I-140. This is North Park Blvd. Take the 2nd left, North Bend Circle, and an immediate left into the parking lot. Thrid door from the end of the bldg. Company name over the office.

I plan on taking off about 1pm to bring my fish home. If you cant pick up your fish before then, pls let me know and we'll work something out. Runner, I can bring yours home with me and you can pick up here (and anyone else that prefers to pick up in Powell).

 

[RCS]

Guys, I'm going to drop out of the group order. I just ordered a big Superman montipora, so that used up most of my fish budget!

 

[Pico66]

hey Jeff, I'll be doing some traveling, and I'm not sure when I can be around. I just need some snails, if any are needed to get a price break...Im in. Somone can put them in there tank and I'll get them when I'm here. Otherwise it;s not a big deal.

I think I'm only traveling around the 17th, but I'm not sure. I'm in for turbos, astreas or nassarius if anyone wants the volume break. I can go $50 I guess. Don't make any special arrangments for me though.

Thanks

john

 

[Pandarian]

If theres not enough interest, we can try again later. no biggie.

 

[Fishboy42]

Order sent
Thanks Jeff!
Don or Jeff -- just give me a call when it's time for the pick-up.

 

[skwirl]

order sent? who do i pay?

 

[Fishboy42]

Sorry skwirl for the confusion. I was just letting him know that I confirmed my "order." I think you can pay Don (imsqueak) at pickup and he will get the money to Jeff (vol_reefer).

-Matt