I think I'm in the wrong line of work....

[shilo_1]

I received a box of macro algae from a seller on Ebay. The seller says they currently have over 22 types of macro in culture. My box, which it said would contain a mix (1/4# worth) came with a black mangrove (which I really don't need), one tiny 1/2 to 1" piece of another type of macro and a whole lot of a third type.
When I questioned this, the seller sent this loooooooong winded email that basically said the reason for not including macros like
Red Branching Codium, Red Grape Caulerpa and Red Feather Caulerpa was that they sell for over $1000 a pound !! :eek1:

I think I'm in the wrong line of work !!!

[szwab]

that's the first I've heard of those kinds of prices!

it's a wonder there aren't more aquaculture facilities dedicated to macros :)

[piercho]

As Codium and Caulerpa are green algae and as far as I know appear green the may not have included the "red" variants as they exist in the imaginary plane of existence.:twitch:

[cmsargent]

That seems excessive. I've seen red grape and red feather kelp (which I assume is what you mean) in my LFS for around $50 a colony. Usually that's a colony of a fist or two. I'm not sure how many fistfull's you need to make a pound but that does seem excessive.

Maybe I should charge more when I sell mine. :)

[shilo_1]

I figured it was excessive - an attempt on the part of the seller to make it seem like I got a really good deal ! hahaha

Also, are "Black Mangroves" rare ? lol
They offer red (according to them, common) and the "rare" black ones too.

[skeeter-doc]

that does seem to be too much! wow, I hope I stay away from that seller!

[lancer99]

Black mangroves are only rare in the water :) They are more of a semi-terrestrial species and don't like full-strength saltwater, so they're not as good as red mangroves for refugiums etc.

I'm not sure how much it works out to per pound, but you can buy frags of things like 'Red Caulerpa' (Botrycladia) online for like $10-$15.

I don't think I'd buy from that eBay vendor....

-R

[shilo_1]

Thanks for the info on the mangrove. I never wanted one, but now its in my tank. lol If anyone wants it.....(trade, hint...lol)

Yeah, I learned my lesson, and won't be buying from that seller again.

I'm still new to macros...."Red Branching Codium, Red Grape Caulerpa and Red Feather Caulerpa" was cut and pasted from the email the seller sent me......just FYI (lots of people have made it sound like those are not the correct names.) :)


It just sounded like a neat deal: 1/4lbs of various macros from their collection of over 22 for only $10. Too good to be true, I guess.

[skeeter-doc]

well still, even for $10, you still get some good starter cultures right?

[shilo_1]

I got a mangrove, a tiny piece of one kind of macro and a few fist-sizes clumps of another type. I was just disappointed, as I was expecting to get a more diverse mix of their large variety.

[Plantbrain]

Well, you can head to Florida and collect yourself, get a few pounds and sell it to that clown.
That will pay for the trip.

Offer them 500$ per pound since they made the claim, see if they will pay you for this 1/2 priced deal.

I think in most cases, going to get the algae yourself might be the best method.

Pays for the trip and it's a vacation:)
2-3 days snorkeling in seagrass beds, macro hard substrates, soft sediments, mangrove forest................

I collect 60 species each time I go.
I've grown 45 species pretty well in tanks.

Now that I live on on the West Coast, I work with cold water species instead.

But I will be heading back to FL July, 2008 if folks are interested in coming. The cost is very cheap, about 150$ for 3 days from Miami includes room/board/Van, you pay for food is all.

The best time for red algae is generally in the Winter times.
About now for FL.
March ain't bad either.

Also, always had the macros ship next day or express.
Never have them shipped if it's warm out(nor freezing without insulation etc).

Regards,
Tom Barr

[lancer99]

You can get 20 red mangrove propagules from eBay for $1.99.

Feel better?

LOL!

-R