Setting up a coral prop shop? Viable?

encieno · 11-22-2010, 11:25 PM

So what does everyone think about this? I know a lot of people try it every day... some succeed, some fail, etc. What are the pros and cons of this? I've been contemplating such for about a year now, and have been attempting such on a smaller scale, of course in my basement. Against what I had imagined at first, I've been able to sell about everything I list locally on forums... even the crap I'd rather trash<gsp, hairy mushrooms, xenia, etc>
I am kind of interested in eventually looking for a small shop somewhere, or a small warehouse to setup a mass load of tanks. Various systems for various coral types.
Without going into many details, is this a viable thing to do now a days? I can imagine as reefs get more and more in danger around the world, there may be yet more and more restrictions put into exporting such and we all may have to start shopping more locally than expecting a shipment from overseas... even though quite a few of em are propagating too. Flawed idea or not, it'd still be fun as long as I could turn enough profit to buy some beer and keep the place operating! Anyone have any input, thoughts, suggestions, previous failed attempts or success stories?

-dave

reef man · 11-23-2010, 09:23 PM

I think if you have the volume (customers) to be able to support "financially" an establishment like this and still make profit, then go for it. Personally I would wait a see how the economy goes. I still hear that the worst is yet to come, But then again I hear otherwise. If I could get away with doing it in my basement and make extra profit.... why ruin a good thing. Thats just me. Either way best of luck which ever way you go.

encieno · 11-23-2010, 10:05 PM

Yeah, I guess I'll figure it out. I need to start jotting numbers down as to what monthly costs are, what the potential/actual income is, etc. Even selling locally, there's always people around me ready to buy about anything they can get their hands on, which is a good thing. Not that I want to sell junk to people though.
Not really too concerned about the economy, people always have hobbies and seems that they always like to blow money on hobbies, broke or not. But ya, good point. It definitely wouldn't be my primary income for another 10 years, if anything became of it. haha.

**Puffer** · 11-24-2010, 02:10 PM

While the economy is bad and some people will be forced out of the hobby it is the outdoor hobbies that suffer most.

Difference being is the cost to get to it (the hobby). As economy plumets people in general just drive less. People start skipping vacations and trips to skiing slopes. As they are "forced" to stay home or around, "indoor" hobbies tend to fill in the gap. Reefkeeping is an indoor hobby....you get the point.

Again, there is no denying that we are all not affected by the economic downturn and some of us will be choosing to buy a Koralia over a Vortech but I've been to local swaps where people spend mega-bucks on corals despite the conditions.

I am not going to lie to you I had the same idea you do but I think this is only viable if you cut out the rent from your overhead. If you have a basement where you can start it on a medium scale than you'll be that much more ahead. If down the road you figure from your profits that you can afford a separate rent and expand you do that then. From the start the biggest recurring expenses will be electricity and rent, cut one out and see where it takes you.

**Puffer** · 11-29-2010, 09:30 AM

Either everyone is busy or they don't want to share their secrets. Come on, everyone dreams of coral farming.

**JF2381** · 11-29-2010, 10:06 AM

I have been thinking about doing the same. I even have two 48x24x12 prop tanks that I put together. I went to a swap a few weeks ago and seeing the faces of the vendors was a bit of a deterrent. Maybe it was all the blue corals (LED Lights) because I did not see people buying. I know that that kept me from buying and I went with a few dollars to spend.
I’m still going to do it, but I’m not going to spend more money until I get some back (I have about $2000 tide into it). Until I see some coral money I started collecting rare clown fish pairs and I’m going to give breeding them a try. I figured that if I get the platinum percs to breed I should see a nice ROI.

*ItalianSausage* · 12-05-2010, 08:07 PM

keep your over head low, working out of your basement would work in the beginning and sell your product on craigslist or free local websites. sell good items at a good price you shouldnt have a problem., and let the word of mouth make you succesful

**Puffer** · 12-06-2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItalianSausage

...and sell your product on craigslist or free local websites....

You can even advertise here for a very low fee to get you started.

*ItalianSausage* · 12-06-2010, 06:49 PM

actually start posting here then try the other places

encieno · 12-06-2010, 07:45 PM

haha... yeah, i think here sooner or later i'll start posting stuff and see what happens. i think the plan for this winter is to finish the damn fish room up<never ending project!> and get the tanks more populated for fragging i guess!