Why don't more people buy coral bone?

minimalist · 02/16/2006, 06:24 PM

I recently bought a few pounds of coral bone and put it in my BB tank. Within a month, it's got coraline growth, pod life, and baby bristle worms. I highly recommend more people purchase it. In addition, no new algae or pests can be introduced because at the time of purchase, the rock is void of life. Just my .02.

Dubbin1 · 02/16/2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by minimalist
Why don't more people buy coral bone?

Because it is frowned upon since people are killing the corals just for the skeleton. You just stepped right into that one

Alaskan Reefer · 02/16/2006, 06:34 PM

Old coral skeletons make good base rock, in fact I'm dumping a huge old pagoda skeleton (about 12 pounds) into my sump for extra filtration as soon as I get it cleaned up a little (it was in my old tank and is covered with coralline). I think cost is all that prevents more consistent usage of these...

Alaskan Reefer · 02/16/2006, 06:36 PM

Okay, maybe the harvesting method is also a reason people wouldn't do it. I guess we can be a little more protective of corals than we are of live rock (also a living thing).

minimalist · 02/16/2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dubbin1
Because it is frowned upon since people are killing the corals just for the skeleton. You just stepped right into that one

That's abserd! The live coral is worth more than the $1.79/# that the dead coral is worth.

minimalist · 02/16/2006, 06:42 PM

By the way, I guess I should clarify. What my LFS sells as "coral bone" is actually "base rock". It runs me about $5.00 less per pound and I know that I'm not getting any pesky hitchhikers.

Lpsfanatic338 · 02/16/2006, 06:44 PM

They don't kill coral for coral bone it's would already be dead when they harvest it

minimalist · 02/16/2006, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lpsfanatic338
They don't kill coral for coral bone it's would already be dead when they harvest it

Yeah... Dubbin1, -10 points for you.

Dubbin1 · 02/16/2006, 08:24 PM

OK then its -50 for all of you that think corals are not killed for this.

stillcity · 02/16/2006, 11:37 PM

Minimalist, what LFS do you go to and how much is it for the Base Rock?
Are you happy with them overall?

I'm up in Herndon.

thereefmaster · 02/16/2006, 11:44 PM

Yeah, I am supporting Dubbin1 on this one for sure. They are pulled from the ocean, and then dried in the sun. But then again, those people are just trying to make a living (talking 3rd world here...) to feed their family. But even that, corals are living animals... Sad really, this world...

Alaskan Reefer · 02/17/2006, 01:19 AM

What's wrong with feeding a 3rd world family for a month by buying a coral skeleton, really? Better that they starve? I know the house I live in cost a lot of trees and potentially wildlife their lives, and I do really enjoy oysters on the half shell.

We rape and pillage the world to advance our species. That's what we do. I'm sure nobody here lives like Tarzan.

musicsmaker · 02/17/2006, 01:24 AM

If I were someone who didn't care, and I was looking for some cash, I would jerk up corals and bleach them to sell the skeletons. Think about it. We (reefers) are plentiful here on RC. But if you are selling on, say, EBAY, there are far fewer customers interested in/capable of buying and keeping a live coral alive than there are people who just want something pretty to put on a shelf. Go do a search on "lace coral" and see how many dead coral skeletons are up for sale and have bids on them versus live ones. The dead skeletons fetch more $ than you might expect.

NCreefwannabe · 02/17/2006, 01:26 AM

Theres also tons of already dead coral all over. Most would try to resell it alive.... who the hell wants to get 1.50 when they could be getting 30?

musicsmaker · 02/17/2006, 01:36 AM

Do the ebay search. Coral skeletons fetch a LOT more than 1.50. And they fetch a wider customer base which = volume selling.

02/16/2006, 06:24 PM	#1
minimalist Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 506	Why don't more people buy coral bone? I recently bought a few pounds of coral bone and put it in my BB tank. Within a month, it's got coraline growth, pod life, and baby bristle worms. I highly recommend more people purchase it. In addition, no new algae or pests can be introduced because at the time of purchase, the rock is void of life. Just my .02.

02/16/2006, 06:34 PM	#3
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Old coral skeletons make good base rock, in fact I'm dumping a huge old pagoda skeleton (about 12 pounds) into my sump for extra filtration as soon as I get it cleaned up a little (it was in my old tank and is covered with coralline). I think cost is all that prevents more consistent usage of these... __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

02/16/2006, 06:36 PM	#4
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Okay, maybe the harvesting method is also a reason people wouldn't do it. I guess we can be a little more protective of corals than we are of live rock (also a living thing). __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

02/16/2006, 06:42 PM	#6
minimalist Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 506	By the way, I guess I should clarify. What my LFS sells as "coral bone" is actually "base rock". It runs me about $5.00 less per pound and I know that I'm not getting any pesky hitchhikers. Last edited by minimalist; 02/16/2006 at 06:56 PM.

02/16/2006, 11:44 PM	#11
thereefmaster Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mossyrock, WA Posts: 354	Yeah, I am supporting Dubbin1 on this one for sure. They are pulled from the ocean, and then dried in the sun. But then again, those people are just trying to make a living (talking 3rd world here...) to feed their family. But even that, corals are living animals... Sad really, this world... __________________ Click on the Little Red House to see my Reef! Current Tank Info: 55G Reef, Coralife SuperSkimmer 220, Current USA 260W PC, 2" SSB

02/16/2006, 06:44 PM	#7
Lpsfanatic338 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Oceanside, New York Posts: 364	They don't kill coral for coral bone it's would already be dead when they harvest it

02/16/2006, 08:24 PM	#9
Dubbin1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Findlay, Ohio Posts: 11,540	OK then its -50 for all of you that think corals are not killed for this.

02/16/2006, 11:37 PM	#10
stillcity Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 151	Minimalist, what LFS do you go to and how much is it for the Base Rock? Are you happy with them overall? I'm up in Herndon.

02/17/2006, 01:19 AM	#12
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	What's wrong with feeding a 3rd world family for a month by buying a coral skeleton, really? Better that they starve? I know the house I live in cost a lot of trees and potentially wildlife their lives, and I do really enjoy oysters on the half shell. We rape and pillage the world to advance our species. That's what we do. I'm sure nobody here lives like Tarzan. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

02/17/2006, 01:24 AM	#13
musicsmaker Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Ravenna, OH Posts: 3,059	If I were someone who didn't care, and I was looking for some cash, I would jerk up corals and bleach them to sell the skeletons. Think about it. We (reefers) are plentiful here on RC. But if you are selling on, say, EBAY, there are far fewer customers interested in/capable of buying and keeping a live coral alive than there are people who just want something pretty to put on a shelf. Go do a search on "lace coral" and see how many dead coral skeletons are up for sale and have bids on them versus live ones. The dead skeletons fetch more $ than you might expect. __________________ "The best threads rest with The Ancients..." - The Ancients.

02/17/2006, 01:26 AM	#14
NCreefwannabe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 953	Theres also tons of already dead coral all over. Most would try to resell it alive.... who the hell wants to get 1.50 when they could be getting 30?

02/17/2006, 01:36 AM	#15
musicsmaker Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Ravenna, OH Posts: 3,059	Do the ebay search. Coral skeletons fetch a LOT more than 1.50. And they fetch a wider customer base which = volume selling. __________________ "The best threads rest with The Ancients..." - The Ancients.