Reef Trendy

[Triggerman]

I came across an old Anthony Calfo article called "Reef Trendy" it's a great read if you like and get Anthony's clever humor...I figured I post it up for alot of the newbies to our great hobby and beginner reefers...He pretty muched nailed it with all the price gouging that's going on when it comes to the so called LE and rare corals that online vendors are offering up....it was posted up way back in 2005 and it's amazing how it's still relevant just six years later....it started with rics...acros....acans....blastos...zoas...chalices ....now i think we are up to BTA's....who can keep up with all the made up names...

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-02/ac/index.php

[ErikH]

scolys now a day!

[alton]

Good article. He does have a point on buying animals that will not live very long in our aquariums. And I love the expensive skimmer story.

[zerreissen]

Interesting article, and oh so true, even to this day!

[Texreefer]

Yes, this is a timeless piece and unfortunately more true today than the day Anthony wrote it. It's the exact reason I have never owned a Scoly!.. Most people that buy these overpriced "rare" corals can only afford it by fragging them into a million pieces and offering miniscule pieces at "discount prices" to recover the rediculous amount of money spent. This only perpetuates the Problem since potential buyers, seeing what may be a good deal on a "rare" coral (that you need a magnifying glass to see), buys it and then has to wait five years to be able to see it with the naked eye, and then feels that since it was so "rare" and took so long to grow that it is now worth 10 times the original piece.. and so goes it! it will likely never change since this is such a unique hobby. but we can all be encouraged to make responsible decisions.

[Troy Valentine]

Yes, this is a timeless piece and unfortunately more true today than the day Anthony wrote it. It's the exact reason I have never owned a Scoly!.. Most people that buy these overpriced "rare" corals can only afford it by fragging them into a million pieces and offering miniscule pieces at "discount prices" to recover the rediculous amount of money spent. This only perpetuates the Problem since potential buyers, seeing what may be a good deal on a "rare" coral (that you need a magnifying glass to see), buys it and then has to wait five years to be able to see it with the naked eye, and then feels that since it was so "rare" and took so long to grow that it is now worth 10 times the original piece.. and so goes it! it will likely never change since this is such a unique hobby. but we can all be encouraged to make responsible decisions.

Well said Mike:)

[Triggerman]

We can only hope that buyers educate themselves before buying into the inflated pricing we tend to see by alot of vendors...most of the small coral farmers now-a-days operate out of their homes so their overhead has very little todo with pricing...it's the marketing ploy of "rarity" and clever naming abilities...the good thing is prices tend to fall down or crash after the latest craze is over with...although it could take a few months or even years...pulsing xenia is a prime example, it used to cost about $30 per stalk (back then fragging wasn't too common) now you can usually find some for $5.00 or even free....

The skimmer rant Anthony went on was pretty funny as well...who wants to see a giant skimmer sitting next to their tank or taking up half of the sump...

[Louis]

So I shouldn't spend my whole salary on a Bubble King? :)

[alton]

Louis I didn't know they made one that cost $100,000?

[Louis]

HAH! Boy do I wish!!!!