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GreshamH
Guest
GDawson said:
Check out the HR 669 bill as well
Green Marine closing soon
- Thread starter xcaret
- Start date
Check out the HR 669 bill as well
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GreshamH
Guest
That's the issue though. You are not the first to report GM as having CB mithrax.
Tons of hobbyists report spawnings of a lot of stuff. The crux of the issue is the settlement time in most cases. We as humans aren't the best at doing certain species due to either their prolonged planktonic larval stage or we just have not unlocked their first feed.
Tons of hobbyists report spawnings of a lot of stuff. The crux of the issue is the settlement time in most cases. We as humans aren't the best at doing certain species due to either their prolonged planktonic larval stage or we just have not unlocked their first feed.
ryanjiang
Guest
GreshamH said:
What? I was very excited to see the reef when I snorkel many years ago in Maui.
But that was before I started the hobby, at that time really had no idea one can grow coral at home, knowing nothing about general types of corals etc...
Now I really really want to see how they look like in nature, I mean not on TV.
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GreshamH
Guest
ryanjiang said:
Yes they have coral but again, nothing really worth exporting. Very few colors in HI.
Qwiv
Supporting Member
When I was breeding the sexy shrimp, I looked up emeralds and other crabs. I think the planktonic phase is thought to be well over 3 months, up to 7 months. I'm sure feed would be easy if we could maintain a diverse and breeding zooplankton culture, but in a closed system, something is going to out compete.
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GreshamH
Guest
Qwiv said:
I HIGHLY doubt first feed would be available in our systems. Most first feeds that have been found to work are NOT found in our systems nor could they be stocked in a high enough density for them to be of any good. Most larva need X amount of feed per ML in order to even locate it. keeping such densities in most cases would not work in a reef system for many reasons.
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GreshamH
Guest
99sf said:
Thales said:
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GreshamH
Guest
Thales said:
Yah, I wouldn't want to be in his shoes right now. Guess that is one of the reasons I never opened a LFS up even though plenty of people have pushed me to do so over the years :lol:
tuberider
Guest
[/clap emoticon] GM has one a ton of things AFA business models go, and they fit our mission to a T.
It takes balls to invest into and run a business based on a novel model. Conservative folks would open up a half dozen McDonald's, start a painting company, service computers, mow lawns, stuff that has a formula, a plan. GM falls into a gray area business wise since it is not known whether it works long term. My guess is that if it's going to work anywhere it is in the Bay Area, people are savvy and are willing to support a business that supports the hobby and the hobbyist from an economic and environmental standpoint.
It takes balls to invest into and run a business based on a novel model. Conservative folks would open up a half dozen McDonald's, start a painting company, service computers, mow lawns, stuff that has a formula, a plan. GM falls into a gray area business wise since it is not known whether it works long term. My guess is that if it's going to work anywhere it is in the Bay Area, people are savvy and are willing to support a business that supports the hobby and the hobbyist from an economic and environmental standpoint.
JAR
Guest
In my opinion GM needs to carry all the things needed to set someone up with a reef tank. How can you let a customer walk out the door that might set up a tank if you were able to sell him one?
I'm sure some tank set ups are getting sold for the holidays.
It's good to see that they finally have a few hard goods. I just hope it is not too late.
I'm sure some tank set ups are getting sold for the holidays.
It's good to see that they finally have a few hard goods. I just hope it is not too late.
h20player101
Guest
A problem I see, at least for coral, is that GM biggest competition is the DBTC program and club swaps. As to an interest in CB & "renewable" sourcing being more successful in the Bay Area, I think that for the "normal" first time buyer they are not going to have as much of an interest in protecting reefs. I just look at the Petco/Petsmarts that are successful with newbies. How many of the people that purchase their setup from a big box stores would tell you that they prefer to shop local, yet didn't even try and find a LFS? Too many people say one thing on a survey, but then do something else when it comes to paying time.
finalphaze987
Supporting Member
h20player101 said:
I feel the DBTC program compliments the store in its mission to promote captive raised and aquacultured stuff. I dont really see it as competition because the true goal of the program, as i understand and see it, is to promote responsible reefing practices as well as develop a sense of camaraderie between this community , rather than someone trying to fill their tank with cool stuff for free.
h20player101
Guest
I figured he would have known about it, and realize that GM would benefit directly from donations from BAR. But I have a question, who is their target market? I think the group of people most likely to buy sustainable corals are already in this club! It takes an active interest to either go to a store that offers only renewable items and/or pay more. I fall back on how many people talk about global warming and fossil fuels, then hop into their suburban/run their heater all day (with windows open)/have 8,000 watts of metal halide lighting! Or complain about the local economy on their way to Target. 
"true goal of the program, as i understand and see it, is to promote responsible reefing practices as well as develop a sense of camaraderie between this community, rather than someone trying to fill their tank with cool stuff for free."
I agree that this club does much more then DBTC, but simply because it has been so successful with DBTC means there is less opportunity for a business to sell you a similar item. GM is a business first and foremost, if they can not sell enough items to pay rent/PG&E/business license/insurance/advertising/phone/website/staff, they will not be around for much longer. That is why I think the DBTC/renewable idea as of right now needs a club to be successful, that is a small portion of what BAR does & BAR can rely on donations to continue both the club and associated programs. BAR is here to promote better reefkeeping, GM exists to make money (I am not familiar with the owner, but if it was not their intention to make money, a business was not the best approach. A non-profit approach, or even co-op might have worked better.) It is incredibly hard to have any kind of business today, to have one that is competing against every well intentioned hobbyist (who are also a target customer) is going to be extremely difficult.
"true goal of the program, as i understand and see it, is to promote responsible reefing practices as well as develop a sense of camaraderie between this community, rather than someone trying to fill their tank with cool stuff for free."
I agree that this club does much more then DBTC, but simply because it has been so successful with DBTC means there is less opportunity for a business to sell you a similar item. GM is a business first and foremost, if they can not sell enough items to pay rent/PG&E/business license/insurance/advertising/phone/website/staff, they will not be around for much longer. That is why I think the DBTC/renewable idea as of right now needs a club to be successful, that is a small portion of what BAR does & BAR can rely on donations to continue both the club and associated programs. BAR is here to promote better reefkeeping, GM exists to make money (I am not familiar with the owner, but if it was not their intention to make money, a business was not the best approach. A non-profit approach, or even co-op might have worked better.) It is incredibly hard to have any kind of business today, to have one that is competing against every well intentioned hobbyist (who are also a target customer) is going to be extremely difficult.
Thales
Past President
The idea that DBTC or frag swaps compete with sales in stores has been around for a while but doesn't really ever seem to pan out. The competition isn't really there and stores the embrace clubs seem to do better.
From what I can see, the issues with GM have little to do with the business model, but more to do with running a business.
From what I can see, the issues with GM have little to do with the business model, but more to do with running a business.
h20player101
Guest
The stores that have been the most successful when embracing clubs do not base their business on selling captive bread or renewable sources (at least locally, not sure if there is a business similar to GM nationally, Gresham?). How could it not pan out? Basic supply/demand means that if a portion of the demand is being met by clubs, then it can not be filled by stores. Now, swaps I think generate an interest that draw customers into stores, I think some of the sponsors have done a fabulous job supporting the club and have been rewarded because of it. They did not pull customers in to buy CB/sustainable products, but the full spectrum of products they offer. I believe that if you look at the sales figures for most LFS, CB is a small portion of their total sales.
Running a business has everything to do with your business model, they are not mutually exclusive.
Running a business has everything to do with your business model, they are not mutually exclusive.