Reef hobby owned by vendors?

[syncro]

Is the content of most reef blogs and forums directed by aquarium product vendors?

From The Truth About Orphek & Aquarium Product Marketing:

Reef Central: $500-1000/month, ~$1/click (your product cannot be discussed on RC if you haven't paid them)
ReefBuilders: $400 for a "review" (all of their reviews are paid for), $400/month for ads so the staff will continue to talk about your company/products
Nano-Reef: $150/month
WetWebMedia: $200 month (WWM is an excellent source of info and mostly stays out of drama)
GlassBoxDesign: $200-400/month (GBD doesn't require payment for a review, however if it is a competing product to their sponsor's it will receive a negative review)

How does canreef compare?

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I have never found the reviews of products on either of the Canadian fish boards (canreef & bcaquaria) to be biased towards sponsors. I have seen reviews written about products sold by sponsors and non-sponsors. I think that being Canadian boards, there is an expectation by the members & admin of fairness and not to have "paid" reviews that are based on the all-mighty dollar.

Canadian reefers also seem to stay away from this kind of BS. For myself, if I post that something is good, its because I have found it to be good, not because it is from a sponsor. I think almost everybody here has that same attitude towards truth in our reviews or opinions of products. Its our own reputations at stake. Like if we go around telling newbies to buy an inferior skimmer just because it is being promoted by a sponsor, then that newbie will be mad at us (not the sponsor) once the truth is known.

Just my $.02.

Anthony

[syncro]

Thanks, I had the same impression of canreef.

However, as a Canadian reefer I didn't know I was reading BS on reef central or reef builders. is it general knowledge that most reviews on the web are paid for?

[Aquattro]

Canreef doesn't have any sponsors that are product manufacturers. And if we did, they would be subject to fair and honest reviews by our members. If it's good, it's good. If it's crap, then it's crap.
The only restrictions in place are reviews of retail vendors themselves, and ad-lib advertising for non sponsoring retailers.
We did, at one time, protect a paying sponsor from negative reviews, to the detriment of the Canreef membership. Many people lost money dealing with that vendor before their demise.
A lesson learned from that experience had us revoke sponsorship from a vendor that was receiving too many complaints.
So while we tend to ask that Canreef members support the sponsors that promote us, we do not cover up poor products or services because we have received advertising dollars.

[Myka]

You gotta look at who is reviewing the products. If it's just a regular ole member, chances are it's just an individual's unpaid opinion. If it is a "celebrity" fish keeper, then it is often paid. Reviews in magazines are usually paid as well.

[Blom]

Originally Posted by Myka

"celebrity" fish keeper

Oh one can dream of the good life haha

[Reef Pilot]

Where does the sponsorship money for Canreef go?

[Funky_Fish14]

Probably the cost of running the site... service... internet... I imagine the monthly fee for bandwidth is a few hundred all by itself. I have no idea what costs for running the site, staff, etc... would cost though.

[Reef Pilot]

Yes, would assume that.... but who looks after that, collects the money, pays the bills, etc,??

[Zoaelite]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Yes, would assume that.... but who looks after that, collects the money, pays the bills, etc,??

The all knowing Titus...

Sent from my HTC Desire HD using Tapatalk