Ace25's 75G Build Thread

I actually have no idea what type of reflector it is. I bought it many years ago to go with a 400MH setup. I remember I paid $200 for it back in the late 90's. It does look very similar to the LumenBright reflector though. After reading the RC article on them I find it quite a coincidence that I also mounted my reflector at 15" up in the canopy, giving about 16" to the surface of the water, which is what the article says is ideal for that reflector. I just made a educated guess when I picked that height.
 
Ace, through where you work are you able to get just the reflectors with out the bulb base?
 
Yup, sorry, been busy trying to get my tank back.. but it came back scratched so now I am going to get a brand new tank built for me to replace my 3 month old tank. At the LFS, yes, they can order reflectors. Luminarc's are the favorite among local reefers.

I just 1up'd my African Leopard Wrasse... picked up a Potter's Leopard Wrasse when I went down to Los Angels yesterday and went to 6 different saltwater wholesalers. I saw soooo many rare and exotic fish I had never seen before down there. Simply amazing!! And prices.. let me just say.. whole sale prices are awesome, not that I pay wholesale prices myself, actually, I insisted I pay full retail because I do want to support my LFS and want them to stay in business. I know what the markup is, and I know they are not getting rich off of it.. actually, not even breaking even when you take into account fish mortality and maintanence (3000G of saltwater changes a week).

Regular Leopard Wrasse go for $15, African Leopard Wrasses go for $20, and Potter's Leopard Wrasses go for $25 at wholesale prices. I paid $40 retail for the Potters Wrasse. Pygmy angels are around the same price, or cheaper for common ones (Flame/Coral Beauty are $12/ea.)

Anyway.. here is my new fish. Hard one to get a picture of, best I could do in the short time I have had him in the tank (about 1 hour so far and took over 100 pictures, this was the best one)
2988131800_dc9435d5ca_o.jpg
 
wow amazing prices, here in canada a flame angel is 69$ and a coral beauty is 39-49, also my fis store has regular leaopard wrasses for 69.99, not to mention coral proces :(
 
Well, now you know what the markup is. But remember to take into consideration the price of overnight shipping, which adds a lot to the price. I am lucky I live so close to the wholesalers that my LFS can just drive down and pick up items. People in other parts of the country, and like you, in Canada, have to get the fish shipped overnight. There will always be some loss of fish involved when doing that as well as care for the fish that do survive to keep the LFS in your area running and make a little $, which is the hope of any business. So expect prices to be higher due to that. Say a Flame Angel goes for $12 wholesale.. figure after shipping that price goes up to $30ea.. then factor in fish that died in transit, maybe 1 out of 10.. so the fish is now about a $35 fish when it arrives at your LFS.. then most LFS have a markup anywhere between 2x-4x depending on location and competition in the area and you will arive at the prices you see when you walk into your LFS.

While $70 for a flame is very high to me because I am lucky enough to live close to wholesalers, it is very reasonable price to me when I think about the location (Canada) it is being sold from. I think average retail price for Flame Angels in my area is $30-$40 depending on the store. Leopard Wrasses are the same.. normal leopards go for $34.99 and Africans go for $39.99.

Corals on the otherhand.. not really much of a deal at wholesalers. Most corals are wild anyway and I am more of an ORA coral (captive grown) person myself. I saw some Acans.. about 20 polys, going for $475 wholesale price.
 
So, Ace, who is your LFS and the one you work for? Do they sell on the web?
 
Ace, love the leopards...they look great.
 
I don't think I am allowed to say the name of the LFS on here.. but if you go to my local club website they have a banner ad on it. Online sales of corals is coming this week. Fish hopefully next week. They know they can't compete with places like Marinedepot on dry goods and supplies so they are just going to focus on rare fish and nice corals online.
 
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