Open discussion on ways you save reefing.

[wickedfish]

As the economy helps some of us and others it hurts, what are ways you save on your over all reefing.

For instance I try to buy a 3-4 of buckets of salt when it is cheap. I have my lights on after SCE peak hours. I use the lowest wattage pumps I can find. I use led lighting in my Refugium and in my fish closet. I try to do waterchanges on hot days so I don't use a heater to bring water to temp almost ever (the wife keeps our house over 73f.) So it's always warmer than I'd like and perfect for the tank.

I try to buy Gfo and carbon when it's dirt cheap same with bulbs and anything else high in cost. Btw anyone have a hookup on Gfo? I've only got 7 months left on this bucket.

I think one of the biggest savings I've discovered is buying fish that are already aquarium situated. Meaning from other hobbyists. Perfect example is a powder blue tang, bought 3 before all died with in a 6 week period. Bought one from Spznm and it's rocking solid.

What do you guys do. Can even name specific bulbs or lights or pumps to help other hobbyists save.

 

[Reefomeez]

I buy most of my coral via private party. It's just so much cheaper. I do buy from LFS/Sponsors but the majority of my coral has been private party. Also helps that you know it's capable of thriving in captivity.

I now buy all equipment used for the most part. The markdown is ridiculous from new to used.

 

[Justkeepswimming]

Buying fish and corals saves me money. High end sps is like 40 percent off retail here, sometimes more!

 

[Reefomeez]

Buying fish and corals saves me money. High end sps is like 40 percent off retail here, sometimes more!

Where is "here"? And how does buying fish and corals save you money?

 

[Justkeepswimming]

Where is "here"? And how does buying fish and corals save you money?

Sorry i guess i should have made that more clear . Purchasing fish and coral on "here" (socalireefs) saves me money!

 

[Reefomeez]

Sorry i guess i should have made that more clear . Purchasing fish and coral on "here" (socalireefs) saves me money!

Ah yes, 100% agree. Even from sponsors.

 

[wickedfish]

The corals I bought from Ron at Coral Obsessions were money makers for me after only 14 months I was able to buy my wife a brand new Mercedes. I enjoy trading with sponsors and buying pieces I haven't seen with others.

I wish I would have visited Ron when he got those BTB. I would be the unofficial king of polyps this side of Western.

 

[Justkeepswimming]

The corals I bought from Ron at Coral Obsessions were money makers for me after only 14 months I was able to buy my wife a brand new Mercedes. I enjoy trading with sponsors and buying pieces I haven't seen with others.

I wish I would have visited Ron when he got those BTB. I would be the unofficial king of polyps this side of Western.

If you are buying Mercedes off coral growouts then i must be doing something WAY wrong. I cant even sell enough stuff to pay for my reef habit, i mean hobby!

 

[wickedfish]

If you are buying Mercedes off coral growouts then i must be doing something WAY wrong. I cant even sell enough stuff to pay for my reef habit, i mean hobby!

And I had left over for the extended warranty ;-)

 

[Justkeepswimming]

And I had left over for the extended warranty ;-)

haha!

 

[lurking]

1- find great deals on socalireefs and other forums.
2- take those deals and flip them for double profit on the same forums.
3- buy coral from wholesalers
4- post threads on forums with those wholesale corals and say " I need to make some room"
5- get things on the free section
6- sell those free items
7- show up in my gold four runner to buy cheap utter chaos
8- sell those utter chaos
9- make a son story on scr and have randoms buy me a complete new set up cause they feel bad for me (hahahahaaha)
10- line my pockets with ziplocks when I go into stores and transform into the wet pocket bandit.
11- beg corals from scr
12- beg corals from low budget
13- submit raffle tickets at events for reefing gear I don't need or want and then sell the items when I win them.
14- take corals from community tanks at local reef events
15- make up a random name for my polyp then create a hype thread to jack up the price and then sell them for a lot of money. "Limited Release" of course
16- allow Esteban to man please me in exchange for brown coral
17- tell sce I use a cpap machine to sleep and get a discount on electricity.
18- spam email reef manufacturers claiming I am president of a reef club and solicit donations for an imaginary reefing event. I then sell those items when I receive them

There's more but I don't wanna give up all my secrets. Reefing is easy

 

[wickedfish]

1- find great deals on socalireefs and other forums.
2- take those deals and flip them for double profit on the same forums.
3- buy coral from wholesalers
4- post threads on forums with those wholesale corals and say " I need to make some room"
5- get things on the free section
6- sell those free items
7- show up in my gold four runner to buy cheap utter chaos
8- sell those utter chaos
9- make a son story on scr and have randoms buy me a complete new set up cause they feel bad for me (hahahahaaha)
10- line my pockets with ziplocks when I go into stores and transform into the wet pocket bandit.
11- beg corals from scr
12- beg corals from low budget
13- submit raffle tickets at events for reefing gear I don't need or want and then sell the items when I win them.
14- take corals from community tanks at local reef events
15- make up a random name for my polyp then create a hype thread to jack up the price and then sell them for a lot of money. "Limited Release" of course
16- allow Esteban to man please me in exchange for brown coral
17- tell sce I use a cpap machine to sleep and get a discount on electricity.
18- spam email reef manufacturers claiming I am president of a reef club and solicit donations for an imaginary reefing event. I then sell those items when I receive them

There's more but I don't wanna give up all my secrets. Reefing is easy

Lmao you mean to tell me presidents of clubs don't want to pass the torch cause they get free $hit. News to me.

The wholesale part is the LFS's fault. They have no loyalty and so the wholesellers shouldn't feel obligated either IMHO.

To those LFS that are loyal and buy from the same place then they need to band together (which most of em can't stand each other and so this is what happens). (Circle of eat or be eaten.)

 

[Adrock]

sounds like something Wicked would do lol

 

[wickedfish]

sounds like something Wicked would do lol

B please!!!! For starters never owned a frag tank. 2nd I don't really like freaks at my house. 3rd my garage is for hoarding not for slanging ocean animals.

 

[Adrock]

Omar and wicked ,

I do agree with some of those ideals/ practices but I must say at least give the lfs store a chance to match the price and offer a discount so that when you guys need help or have a issue with disease and or sick fish or need a tank ect that the lfs is able to have their doors open to be there for you . I agree every one wants top dollar for their live stock but with out the support of the lfs ,that awesome resource will be gone and do more damage to the hobby than good so just remember that great deals are awesome and nice for the pocket book but the lfs should always have your back and most importantly sell responsibly so supporting the lfs is something you should have in mind

 

[lurking]

Omar and wicked ,

I do agree with some of those ideals/ practices but I must say at least give the lfs store a chance to match the price and offer a discount so that when you guys need help or have a issue with disease and or sick fish or need a tank ect that the lfs is able to have their doors open to be there for you . I agree every one wants top dollar for their live stock but with out the support of the lfs ,that awesome resource will be gone and do more damage to the hobby than good so just remember that great deals are awesome and nice for the pocket book but the lfs should always have your back and most importantly sell responsibly so supporting the lfs is something you should have in mind

Yup. Let's see live aquaria help you out when you have a velvet outbreak, or your tank springs a leak or you simply need to know how close you can place that galaxia frag to your other stuff.

 

[igotcorals]

Where is "here"? And how does buying fish and corals save you money?

I am the "here" LOL.

I Got Corals= Deals

 

[Reefomeez]

Omar and wicked ,

I do agree with some of those ideals/ practices but I must say at least give the lfs store a chance to match the price and offer a discount so that when you guys need help or have a issue with disease and or sick fish or need a tank ect that the lfs is able to have their doors open to be there for you . I agree every one wants top dollar for their live stock but with out the support of the lfs ,that awesome resource will be gone and do more damage to the hobby than good so just remember that great deals are awesome and nice for the pocket book but the lfs should always have your back and most importantly sell responsibly so supporting the lfs is something you should have in mind

Totally agree. I have nothing but praise for you guys. There's a happy median I feel I've found.

Speaking of which, gonna holla later for some plumbing parts...

 

[Reefomeez]

I am the "here" LOL.

I Got Corals= Deals

Lmfao

 

[evad1]

getting hobbyiest booths at 3-4 shows/swaps a year, basically pays for the whole year")
using cheaper salt every other water changes-i use d&d and IO
trading corals instead of buying
asking your LFS to match/or beat online pricing