SnowManSnow;983535 wrote: Before anyone reads this, understand that this is just my opinion, and I'm not bashing anyone. I don't have anything against any sponsors, or anyone else, and will continue to support them as long as I can afford it.
I'm currently between tanks, and it gives me a platform to see things in a light I couldn't while in the throws of a reef tank.
If you don't mind a long post then read on.
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____Seth TWG made a comment in another thread that the reef hobby is more of a revolving door than a fast growing market. The thread was concerned with a price drop with Ecotech pumps.
I DO AGREE with the statement, but it is unsettling. If this is true then as aquarists revolve out the market will starve as the left over won't be able to support the companies that are asking crazy high prices for their products.
Without an adequate influx of NEW people into the hobby the only option will be for companies like Ecotech to finally drop prices, and do it dramatically.

Otherwise, the hobby won't survive.
Honestly, why in the WORLD is a MP40 worth $375? It is because they SAY it is. It isn't complicated, it isn't built particularly well, and it doesn't take a lot of RD to develop it.
It won't be long before someone sees what is happening, takes the bull by the horns, develops a line of products that is just as good but substantially cheaper, opens a store and drives these companies out of business.
Really, I think it could happen right now. Take the actual aquariums for example. I've been shopping for tanks and am floored at how MUCH a good aquarium costs. I'm not knocking any sponsors, or anyone else, and realize there IS overhead BUT.... I was quoted almost $2,000.00 for a 48x24x16 tank. Seriously? At that price this company will grab a SMALL percentage of the market. I realize you do pay for quality, but let's make a quality tank that size, charge $4 or $500 dollars for it, give it a few years for the word to spread, and grab a HUGE market share. Its a few slabs of glass glued together... not rocket science.
Another example is the skimmer "industry". I have a BK200 mini and paid a lot of cash for it because I wanted the best, but realize that someone with the correct tools could do the SAME exact thing for half or a third of the price, and before you know it most everyone in the hobby would have one.
Here's the point of the whole thing. In order for the hobby to survive long term, and ultimately to grow past the slim % of people who can afford to stay in it long term, companies will HAVE to make some changes.
Although the hobby has been around a while, I still think we are in the boom of technology for it, and companies are charging whatever they want because no one else has the tech... but this is changing.
Online superstores WILL drive premium stores out of business despite the few of us who are loyal to LFS, if someone doesn't "get it" soon.
I'm looking forward to the day when I can get the something that performs like a BK200 for $400. A great tank for <$500, a stinking water mover for $200, and lights (seriously... its just light) for <$300.
Right now "you get what you pay for" may be true, but the days be companies being able to push that is coming to an end fast, and they had better see the big picture or they will be finding another budding hobby to own a timed monopoly on.
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