Who keeps a reef versus collects corals versus enjoys selling corals.

[2Sunny]

Just curious as it seems I'm increasingly out of touch with the times or perhaps just not aware. I buy corals, named or not, because I expect when they are full blown colonies they will make my reef look nice. I do not buy corals because I collect them nor do I buy corals because someday I want to resell them (although if that happens its a nice by product) but it seems to me many if not most reefers today want to a) collect "high end" corals or b) grow, frag, and sell "high end" corals. Am I wrong? Why do you keep a reef?

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Just curious as it seems I'm increasingly out of touch with the times or perhaps just not aware. I buy corals, named or not, because I expect when they are full blown colonies they will make my reef look nice. I do not buy corals because I collect them nor do I buy corals because someday I want to resell them (although if that happens its a nice by product) but it seems to me many if not most reefers today want to a) collect "high end" corals or b) grow, frag, and sell "high end" corals. Am I wrong? Why do you keep a reef?

I keep a reef because I have always lived near the ocean and am passionate about the hobby. I love keeping my own personal piece of the ocean right in my house. I am also a marine microbiologist that works at an Oceanographic Institute I came across your build thread the other day and was simply in awe of your tank. You obviously have a masterful touch when it comes to reef keeping and you tank is a perfect example of what I think a reef should be, mature with lots of grown out corals. Congrats and I’d love to see some updates on your build thread!

 

[lemonade]

The satisfaction of growing something. The progression, development of a coral from frag is truly intriguing. I grow plants for the same reason. As far as buying high-end I look for the end result of a coral, not what it is as a frag. Selling and trading just comes as a bonus to having a healthy reef, and imo keeps the hobby alive and sustainable.

 

[jda]

I like to grow a reef, even though the teardown and restart can hurt me sometimes - not everybody know what I am talking about, but you likely do. Named stuff is good if you like the source because the good importers do not name the turds... usually.

There are more people like you than you think... they are just about as active as you are often with years between updates and stuff. They can still be found at the shows and in DM and stuff. Don't let the vocal and active lead you to believe that this is a majority.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

I like to grow a reef, even though the teardown and restart can hurt me sometimes - not everybody know what I am talking about, but you likely do. Named stuff is good if you like the source because the good importers do not name the turds... usually.

There are more people like you than you think... they are just about as active as you are often with years between updates and stuff. They can still be found at the shows and in DM and stuff. Don't let the vocal and active lead you to believe that this is a majority.

I would love to see more from the reefers with the 5 and 10 year+ SPS tanks! As I said @2Sunny your tank is a true inspiration and I really enjoyed your build. These types of mature tanks are what I strive for and aim to learn from. @jda i know you don’t have a build thread but is there a particular thread that you’ve posted any of your setup, pictures, maintenance? I’d love to know more about your display!

 

[Rick5]

I would love to see more from the reefers with the 5 and 10 year+ SPS tanks! As I said @2Sunny your tank is a true inspiration and I really enjoyed your build. These types of mature tanks are what I strive for and aim to learn from. @jda i know you don’t have a build thread but is there a particular thread that you’ve posted any of your setup, pictures, maintenance? I’d love to know more about your display!

He has one now. All the cool kids and several uncool kids have posted to it. I’m obviously among the cool kids, but we all put our pants on one leg at a time.

 

[Reefacist]

Just curious as it seems I'm increasingly out of touch with the times or perhaps just not aware. I buy corals, named or not, because I expect when they are full blown colonies they will make my reef look nice. I do not buy corals because I collect them nor do I buy corals because someday I want to resell them (although if that happens its a nice by product) but it seems to me many if not most reefers today want to a) collect "high end" corals or b) grow, frag, and sell "high end" corals. Am I wrong? Why do you keep a reef?

your tank is for sure a thing of beauty and will read your build thread soon. I honestly live in an apartment and wanted a small saltwater fish tank as practice to see if i would want a larger one for my house that is under remodeling. At the time I only knew of "fish" tanks. I had no idea people kept coral. So going along i learned about the petco $/gallon sale so i decided to wait for the next one (this was about 5months ago). In the meantime i started to learn about saltwater tanks...i went from hob filter shopping to a canister filter shopping to sump designing fairly quickly lol. I love a challenge and just as @lemonade said i like to see things mature and grow. So after reading and reading and watching more and more videos i ended up finding a 120 gal used tank on offerup for 250$. My small "fish" tank turned into a 120gallon reef tank idea. So far i have spent about 5k on products without even having any water in the tank lol but to finally answer your question...simply put i just think they are beautiful and like you i dont care about cost and "rare" but if i like color and look i will buy.

 

[Rick.45cal]

I just love to grow corals and have a reef tank, I’m not a collector or a reseller, neither of which do I enjoy at all. I don’t even like looking for new corals or buying them, just mostly watching them grow. I’m the guy that just lets them do their thing and not mess with them.

 

[scabbedwings616]

I do it for all of the above reasons. I love science, meeting people that have tanks, giving knowledge of their tanks and helping others. I sell here and there with corals but never make $$ on them. Only pays for minimal things for the tank. I have one tank that I look at daily to keep me happy and going. My other tanks are for fun and to try new things out!

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I just love to grow corals and have a reef tank, I’m not a collector or a reseller, neither of which do I enjoy at all. I don’t even like looking for new corals or buying them, just mostly watching them grow. I’m the guy that just lets them do their thing and not mess with them.

Same,

I literally stare at my coral encrusting on a rock and make a mental note of a hole or ridge to track progress. I go back every day and stare at those corals to see when they will overtake that particular spot. It’s all about growth and success.

 

[Steve Elb]

Just curious as it seems I'm increasingly out of touch with the times or perhaps just not aware. I buy corals, named or not, because I expect when they are full blown colonies they will make my reef look nice. I do not buy corals because I collect them nor do I buy corals because someday I want to resell them (although if that happens its a nice by product) but it seems to me many if not most reefers today want to a) collect "high end" corals or b) grow, frag, and sell "high end" corals. Am I wrong? Why do you keep a reef?

I’m like you!

 

[WVNed]

I just like interesting things for the fish to swim around.

 

[2Sunny]

I'm working towards something nice myself. I tried to create a school of Pajama Cardinals, but my Banggai would have none of it so I had to move the school to my sump until I can catch the Banggai. I had a school of Pajamas with a pair of Banggai's before (in fact it was the same female, but her partner died recently) so I didn't think it would be a problem, but the female Banggai went totally berserk and killed 6 of the Pajamas before I got the rest out. Fortunately my sump is huge and the remaining 9 have the whole 250 gallon tub to themselves with a plethora of copepods and live rock. Still want a school and I didn't want to go the Chromis route again, but they are on sale at Live Aquaria right now so hmmm. . .

 

[2Sunny]

I just like interesting things for the fish to swim around.

I'm not familiar with that soft coral hanging off the rocks. What is that? It's really cool looking!

 

[WVNed]

I'm not familiar with that soft coral hanging off the rocks. What is that? It's really cool looking!

It's not a coral
https://www.live-plants.com/purpleribbon.htm

 

[Waynerock]

Personally I just love the feeling of accomplishment I get growing life. Be it animals, plants, or corals. Almost everything I have in my tank started from small frags or 2-3 heads. I buy corals but have only sold 1 and usually give away stuff. In my crazy life keeping a reef is my zen, good or bad it’s all part of the journey. I only really got into sticks because LPS was “easy”for me and I needed a new challenge. I love the reaction from people who come to my house and see my tank. And having to explain that everything in there is alive and not a plastic plant. It feels good to share knowledge and blow people’s mind when I tell them the corals are animals that use photosynthesis for food. Can you imagine if humans could tap into that? I like to eat and cook but man It would be cool to just go outside in the sun for a little bit to “eat”. I have a small tank but still tinker every day and even after all these years I still love cleaning and trimming and even water changes. It’s probably the only thing in this world I have control over. Even the Community is awesome and I still hit up R2R every day since joining two years ago. I do it for the fun, the challenge and the people. I wish more people around me did this but I love my R2R peeps. I love to collect, maintain and share with others and to be able to look at my tank and say look what I did!

 

[Brandon McHenry]

It's not a coral
https://www.live-plants.com/purpleribbon.htm

Looks like the company has it in the wrong section! That is a gorgonian which is an octocoral (soft coral).

 

[Graffiti Spot]

My motivation wasn’t on the list. I don’t care about names whatsoever and care only about the type of acro I put in the tank and the color of them to a lesser extent. I like a challenge and like to keep acros that interest me. Especially nubby acros even though I couldn’t find many for the tank this time. Mariculture and wild corals are the main thing I buy. Named stuff is just to fill in some colors I like that I couldn’t find. The fish are always workers and serve a purpose. I don’t care about equipment except for the fact that it should work well.

 

[WVNed]

Looks like the company has it in the wrong section! That is a gorgonian which is an octocoral (soft coral).

I didnt know that. I have several.

 

[dbowman5]

I was FW for a long time. I passed through the SW section of my LFS. From work I knew that corrosion is accelerated in salt spray cabinets. I liked the ocean but did not want to dissolve my home. I talked with a friend with an AIO who did not have a sea breeze interior in his house. I started a fowlr to get my SW itch scratched. My friend offered me a couple of soft coral frags which i put into my tank. I have since been gifted several pieces including a LPS, bought a couple of mushrooms from club friends, and was gifted more including some SPS. I don't need high priced, difficult, and/or rare pieces at this stage in my education. I enjoy the progress, the sharing, the beauty, the maintenance and feeding, and of course, Discovery!
I will gift pieces or frags at some point. I will trade when I get the chance. I appreciate all of the hobbyists who can further their enjoyment by selling surplus to be able to spend more to advance their journey.
I like it all.