Tips on becoming a designer coral collector

[duncangweller]

From my experience the easiest and only way I can afford some of the fancier corals is to let everyone else buy them and then purchase frags.

That may sound arrogant, but as I can't generally afford any of the rarer corals from retailers, the local reefing community is an invaluable resource. The likes of Rich and Kelly, have made it possible for me to get some really nice corals for a fraction of the price of some retailers.

Then again, there's the likes of mad jelly and fragbox which are also very affordable with drool worthy stuff.

One day I will be that guy that purchases the $400 chalice frag from reef raft and I fully intend on returning the favor to the generous local reefers that have sorted me out over the years.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by duncangweller

That may sound arrogant, but as I can't generally afford any of the rarer corals from retailers, the local reefing community is an invaluable resource. The likes of Rich and Kelly, have made it possible for me to get some really nice corals for a fraction of the price of some retailers.

+100

[reefwars]

Absolutely guys , community sharing is what makes these even available , the types of corals I collect arnt or rarely found at stores often , do the community is the best place to find them , like I always said the nicest corals are across the street

[Madreefer]

Is it evil of me that I wont share some of my stuff with locals in my town? Not like I have any cool corals though

[thmh]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

Is it evil of me that I wont share some of my stuff with locals in my town? Not like I have any cool corals though

Sharing is caring! Unless it's std then you keep that to your self!

~Tony

[Magickiwi]

Thanks to retailers like Tony I already have a decent collection of softies, LPS and a couple SPS corals. I'm on board with the sharing idea. Wonder if there's ever been a swap meet for coral frags?

[thmh]

This was a rap song I made for Denny zoa trade thread which I assume inspired him to make this thread! :-)

Everyone wants to be a pokemon master! But is it your destiny to catch them all? I know many of us is on this journey but many have returned with empty balls.....ballsss. Take my hand and follow my lead, shop at mjc and you will succeed!..... Pokemon!

Lmao that's my 2min free style!! P. S I agreed with everyone in this thread! I myself got started my collection because of visiting all these amazing local reefers like darryl, thang and Alex!

~Tony

[jorjef]

If I asked the dealers I buy from they would tell me I'm their biggest PITA "until " we get to the cash register. Always keep in contact, know what's coming next and when. One pce. of advise to new collectors is if you are serious about collecting don't haggle prices with your suppliers if you want to remain in the loop. Pay the price or walk away.

[kien]

what are these "designer corals" you speak of??? Are they custom made ? I'm invisioning someone sitting in their sump room designing how a new coral is going to look.

[typezero]

Another tip that works well if you have a good reefing buddy is share purchases with a buddy. Me and tony have plenty of pieces that we decide on who is going to be the grower. Once the frag grows to a fragable size frag it and everyone gets one!
Determining who grows it out usually comes down to rock paper scissors!