Are Y'all Rich or Something?

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eatingleg4peanut

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 21, 2010
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Maryland
Let me start by say I am not hating, and this thread is pure curiosity/jealosy.

But you guys have such huge tanks and expensive rare/exotic fish and seem to buy online like crazy (fricken shipping rates), so I was wondering are most of you rich or do you just do without in other areas.

Reason for me asking is I'm nosey, but also because I am not poor by any means but I'm working on getting my first real big tanks this January (125G and 150G) and I'm gonna be blowing my entire bonus and then some. And the prices I'm seeing on tanks 180G+ are blowing my mind.

So...Are you rich or is something else afoot?
 
pretty simple answer really.

in socal its not hard to come by rare and exotic freshwater fish. a lot of people in socal keep them so there are a lot of large tanks available for sale. plus, most of the tank builders are based out of socal so if need be we just show up with a truck and take the tank home.

when it comes to prices its really a matter of getting to know different sellers/suppliers. i've been in the hobby for 8+ years and know almost all of the big vendors out here in socal. in fact, i'm going by one's house tonight. after awhile its not uncommon to get hooked up with great pricing or even free fish once they see that you're serious about the hobby and not killing fish off 2 or 3 days after you buy them.

and i don't know how old you are but i'm 33 and married with dual incomes. i don't drink or do anything crazy so my wife has zero issues if i want to drop 300 bucks on a black wolf or 200 bucks on 3 or 4 large bichirs.
 
i'm a broke college student, both my 10 gal and 45 gallon tank we've had and re-sealed from when i was a kid. as far as the fish i have, blue gourami was like $3.49 rainbow shark $4.99 and senegal bichirs $5.99x2 - my silver dollars were on sale a dollar each so all 8 of them = 8 bucks, the fact that i spent around 50 bucks setting up the 45 gal took a sizable hit to my bank account if that tells you anything hah
 
It always depends on your standards. If you want everything new and shiny, you'll have to spend some money. As said before, if you're long enough in the hobby you know quite a few people and therefore get cheap stuff easier than the "average joe". Plus fish keeping clubs or societies always help finding new people near you with the same hobby.

Another thing is climate. If you can keep your stuff outside or at least without heating you can save a lot of money.
 
The parents. The money of your parents is key ;)
 
save up. buy setups in bits and peices rather than spending 2 grand at once.

I always buy new, so its even more important for me to save up. (not a fan of other people's used stuff). I like sparkly new stuff LOL.

also, planning ahead helps. For example, I bought a rena XP3 on sale for a good price from my LFS before I even had a house to put my 150g tank in :)

once the intial setup cost is done, the hobby really isn't that expensive.

fish are relatively cheap, so its food if you buy in bulk. utilities aren't too bad but can be more expensive in different areas.
 
I use CL to flip tanks in my area. I don't screw people over, I buy really good deals and sell for good deals and keep my favorite stuff for me. Start small and after a year or so don't be surprised when you look back and have a huge tank. Not screwing people has been key for me. Some of the people who have bought tanks from me have become friends and given me the heads up on deals around them. Patience is key. I do not take money from the family for my hobby. Not rich either.

If your taking money from your parents for the hobby, your not going to learn how to find deals or support something on your own. You may end up being the guy that pays full price and sells to us for a better deal down the road ;)
 
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