Searching for new livestock? Check craigslist!

[PirateToast]

Just wanted to share my experience that I've had a lot of success buying fish and corals on Craigslist. There are so many great reasons to do this:

• You'll save money, especially on corals.
• It supports responsible reefkeeping. A lot of the fish for sale are teardowns with unmotivated owners, these fish are in precarious situations. For coral, you're getting stuff either in that situation or was propagated from a strong local reefers colony.
• The backstory on the fish are more well known. The fish have likely been in the tank for some time, so proven to have been eating. Basically, usually some hardy livestock.
• In some cases, you'll make some good local contacts. You can swap stories and experiences. In some cases, people do it as side businesses where you'll keep coming back.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I sell some coral frags and colonies, as well as used equipment. Occasionally I'll list something on Craigslist, but I have found our local club for sale forum to be way better and without the PITA customers that don't show up or don't have a clue about what they are doing. I'd guess 90% or more of my sales (and my purchases) are done through our local club (125+ paying members).

And all the reasons you stated as advantages for buying or selling this way still hold true and are good points. But it's still a buyer beware market and some sellers are offering up used junk. So shop with your eyes wide open!

 

[Julius Chen]

My very first salt water related purchase on CL was a poor deal price wise as i knew nothing. I was also told by the seller it was ok to just use his old sand (3-5 year old) without washing. I had to spend half a day weeks later to throw sand out.

I am bare bottom now and avoid CL if I can.

We hobbists need to be gentle esp to newbies.

 

[PirateToast]

My very first salt water related purchase on CL was a poor deal price wise as i knew nothing. I was also told by the seller it was ok to just use his old sand (3-5 year old) without washing. I had to spend half a day weeks later to throw sand out.

I am bare bottom now and avoid CL if I can.

We hobbists need to be gentle esp to newbies.

I'm being specific to livestock, as I think it's easily overlooked. Dry rock might be a good idea too. Overall, yes, always do a little price research to make sure it makes sense.

 

[PirateToast]

I sell some coral frags and colonies, as well as used equipment. Occasionally I'll list something on Craigslist, but I have found our local club for sale forum to be way better and without the PITA customers that don't show up or don't have a clue about what they are doing. I'd guess 90% or more of my sales (and my purchases) are done through our local club (125+ paying members).

And all the reasons you stated as advantages for buying or selling this way still hold true and are good points. But it's still a buyer beware market and some sellers are offering up used junk. So shop with your eyes wide open!

Totally true. Club quality does vary market to market.

 

[nursedude]

It definitely is a buyer beware situation on CL, but I agree there are times when you are helping the animals.

 

[ericarenee]

Caution is NEEDED

Caution is NEEDED

It definitely is a buyer beware situation on CL, but I agree there are times when you are helping the animals.

FOR SURE.


BUT Craigslist...

There are Criminals troll all craigslist forums looking for a way to access someones home... So

------------NEVER EVER-----------
POST YOUR ADDRESS
POST YOUR Real phone number
use a alt email address
Never Have anyone Come to Your House To buy from you or you SELL To them especially.

Meet them at a place in public inside the location first.Most people are Honest but that one time one person . you make a deal then the next time your not home because your neighbor remembers there car there the day before ROBES YOU BLIND....

A FRIEND LOST Everything Like this...... Mostly GUNS Were stolen that would scare me.

I Say stick to local reef clubs or Circle of Friends ...

 

[Ou8me2]

I actually turn to Facebook groups with local reefers and have had a much better experience selling and buying.

 

[PirateToast]

I actually turn to Facebook groups with local reefers and have had a much better experience selling and buying.

Ditching facebook was one of my best decisions. Its been proven to cause depression and the data mining and battery consumption they do is absurd.

 

[snorvich]

Ditching facebook was one of my best decisions.

Same here.

 

[ericarenee]

Same here.

I did this when they started the time line thing and changed the acceptable use policy giving them full ownership rights to anything you post.. My wife uses it and it DRIVES ME CRAZY. I Have told her to POST NOTHING Personal no Images and so on..
They can make a story of your life sell it and you get nothing.... I think EU is changing laws to combat this stuff but for now its the wild wild west .