Is Growing Coral a Good Side Hustle?

[@chapmanrichardson1050]

So I’ve been in the hobby for 8 years. I’ve sold a bunch of coral in that time. Not high end stuff but I lucked out and acquired what seems to be a rare euphyllia that grows like crazy and people buy instantly on FB marketplace. With that, I loved this video. Reef keeping is TOUGH!!! I’m methodical with everything I do. College educated engineer and I document everything. Even with that, coral die out of nowhere. I know it’s my fault, I just can’t explain a majority of them. I would love to turn this hobby into a full time job. I love these animals and they bring me joy. But there’s so much frustration in the hobby that I would probably flip if this was my business. Such a great video. Hit a nerve with me. Would love to grab a beer one day. Good luck reefing!!!

[@ShaneWalterShow]

Just being able to keep a reef tank going for 8 years is pretty impressive. Requires a lot of responsibility and dedication, only other reefers can appreciate the effort that takes.

[@CoralReefkid]

Yeah it’s an awesome hobby for sure.

[@rolisreefranch]

You nailed it, bud. It's NOT a good side hustle. I sell coral, but it's incidental. Once you have coral you need to get rid of and have successfully run tanks, then sell it. To put things into perspective. Given how technical this hobby is, and the similarity to growing weed (lights, chemistry, electric costs, etc), assuming it's legal in your state, there is no rational financial reason to this outside of ones' personal interest in the hobby compared to many other options. If you find it rewarding, and it makes a dent in your variable costs, go for it. If not, find something that makes sense.

[@BlackPedagogue]

Good video, you were honest. Yes, reef keeping is hard. You have to be meticulous and very OCD like. Furthermore, it’s become a luxury hobby and many people can’t afford it!

[@ShaneWalterShow]

Agreed when I first got in I was looking for a video that explain how much it cost and people seem to not want to disclose that its really expensive.

[@aaronyounger452]

Dude I just bought a golf ball sized Colorado sunburst for $30. The price varies greatly depending on where you live

[@ShaneWalterShow]

Thats awesome! I have never seen a CBS sold that cheap from a dealer in Colorado. There are a lot of anemones that look just like it, like the supernova that go for way less. Seems silly to me because I can barely tell the difference when I see them side by side at reef shows.

[@aaronyounger452]

@@ShaneWalterShow there are tons of Colorado sunburst nems in Denver they grow and split like crazy. I think people finally figured out they are not worth what people were charging for them. I'd never pay $500 dollars on that nem.

[@Oufbfan]

Have you printed those filter holders in 7inch?

[@ShaneWalterShow]

Yes

[@maxl1210]

I think everyone should technically "sell" corals because under a sole proprietorship you can write all of your tanks and equipment off as a loss on your personal taxes

[@ShaneWalterShow]

Excellent point... I should have said that in the video, thanks for commenting.

[@HCBCHEMISTRY]

Make some money G. Obviously you know film. Good stuff. You have potential to make it big.

[@ShaneWalterShow]

Thanks for the motivation and support.

[@rhombifer566]

🤔

[@HCBCHEMISTRY]

Make that money

[@cameronbasford8991]

I thought selling coral and anemones was a good idea. I bought high end coral and anemones and by the time everything was big enough to frag and split, the price of everything has dropped dramatically. Take my Walt Disney for example. I paid $800 for a tiny frag. I can’t even get $200 for a large frag. I have frags that have grown into colonies on my sand that I can’t sell. People want things for free. I’ve also found people won’t buy things from you if you don’t have a “name”. I’ve given a frag of Walt Disney to a well known reefer in my area and he sold it straight away. I’ve given up on buying high end coral to sell.

[@ILmachiner]

This is the case. Especially in a bear market. Corals go in trends. If you try to jump on the band wagon, you will never grow them fast enough.

[@cameronbasford8991]

@@ILmachiner I just didn’t want to be one of those people that frag a frag. I want to grow them right out before I start cutting. Sometimes doing the “right” thing isn’t always best?

[@ILmachiner]

@Cameron Basford better to keep corals you like. By the time the fad comes around you will have beautiful colonies. Than you can enjoy your reef and the upside will be much more enjoyable as it doesn't have the pressure.

[@cameronbasford8991]

@@ILmachiner 100% agree mate. I haven’t added anything to my system for about two years. I have massive colonies of everything. I have a torch coral that spawns from time to time which is pretty awesome.

[@ShaneWalterShow]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Its a good point about the name.

[@MACNTOSFAM]

be mindful, once you start selling corals, they are considered live animals. and if there’s someone in your area that is trying to outcompete them, they may send a complaint/ verification to the state for you selling these live animals. therefore prompting you to get investigated. i understand selling small frags of certain corals, but once you start pushing for corals to self propagate or you doing it yourself, now the hobby becomes a business venture

[@ShaneWalterShow]

That is a good point and why I mentioned it in my video, you can't just go and post it on FB like a bike.

[@joshpitts25]

Yeah you can't rush a reeftank.