Equipment pricing

[vetteguy53081]

We have controllers, lights, skimmers, scrubbers, tank ensembles available to us.
What is the one component you wish prices would come down on making it more affordable and meet your wish list?
For me- good test equipment such as Hanna master and even seneye

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I agree with test equipment, I want to get some Hannahs but they are relatively expensive for each of them.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Just the essentials will run over $200 for 4 kits, The master is $329
I’ve seen used ones recently on marketplace at $30 each. Those are good deals

 

[Joe462]

Anything that makes testing, easier, quicker, and more accurate

 

[To(meany)Tang]

Definitely agree with the test kits. I mean they make their money back on the countless number of test packets we would buy from them x10.. but for me I would say lights also. Even though the quality is there I believe every reefer should have one but not every reefer can afford one and they are essential to reefing which can discourage alot of ppl to start the hobby as well. This world would be a little better if everyone had at least one fish in their house lol

 

[Nano_Man]

Same as above and maybe dosing equipment. Would love hanna testers but there not cheap

 

[Bret]

Would love to see an affordable automated tester for Alk, Phosphate and Nitrate. Trident 2.0 anybody?

 

[paragrouper]

I’ve paid the price for the essential Hanna Test kits. Right now my focus is on the high price of lights.

 

[mjw011689]

Would love to see reliable controllers become more affordable. I think of people were able to have access to some of these things, it would ultimately result in a more automated system that would allow someone to track what’s happening and what exactly caused x or y problems. Just a base hydros system is gonna run over 400, and you’re really just getting a ph and temp probe. To me that should be in the 200 range. I get that you can add on to that and whatnot, but still

 

[JCM]

Custom tanks.

I'd like to replace my current tank with a nicer custom rimless. Building it on glass cages website ends up at almost $4k for a ~90g tank though. Maybe im out of touch, but that's 4x what I was expecting.

 

[threebuoys]

Lights.

Lights are an absolute rip off.

Think about all of the LEDs in a television and the controllers required to power them.

A 65 inch OLED TV has 8,294,400 pixels (3840 x 2160).

Each pixel requires 3 LEDs (R,B,G) in OLED

Total LEDs 24,883,200

Won't even think about 4K or 8K and we'll throw in smart TV and audio for free.

Cost of TV $1,500 - 2,000 depending on brand, model, etc.

Now I realize this is apples to oranges, but surely a reef light with say 72 LED's total should sell for a lot less than what we see today. Heck, even the bargain lights like Nicrew which sells for about $200 are overpriced.

TV cost per LED $0.00008037551
Bargain Reef cost per LED $2.77777777777

A close second is the cost of Skimmers and Roller filters. Go there some other time.

 

[Cell]

I'd love to know profit margins on some common equipment. I've always found dosing containers and ATO reservoirs to be insanely overpriced.

 

[OrchidMiss]

I’ve paid the price for the essential Hanna Test kits. Right now my focus is on the high price of lights.

Agree with the lights.
I just had a part burn out on my light, and had to order the part from Denmark...
The price of the exact same light I bought about 2 years ago has increased by almost $400.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I'd love to know profit margins on some common equipment. I've always found dosing containers and ATO reservoirs to be insanely overpriced.

Most anything in the hobby has become just that. I have a clue being an LFS retailer on the profit margins, but it is those profits that keep them in business and us able to get goods. They could however be Price friendlier instead of absorbitant.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Agree with the lights.
I just had a part burn out on my light, and had to order the part from Denmark...
The price of the exact same light I bought about 2 years ago has increased by almost $400.

Same applies to algae scrubbers. From $279-$399 depending on model to now $649-$800. . . Seriously ??

 

[Jared Bryant]

Just the essentials will run over $200 for 4 kits, The master is $329
I’ve seen used ones recently on marketplace at $30 each. Those are good deals

Insane. $400 for hobby grade test kits.

 

[Viperdragon]

The price of most anything anymore I'm just hoping nothing breaks or fails cause I'm definitely going to have to find something used.

 

[vetteguy53081]

The price of most anything anymore I'm just hoping nothing breaks or fails cause I'm definitely going to have to find something used.

I have spares for this reason, mainly heater, return pump (a must) and skimmer.
Prices are increasing 5-10X the rate of any employment raises we get- If raises are given.

 

[RichReef]

Lights. Hands down. Reefs lights cost 4x more than hydroponic. Same features. I guess the diodes cost 4x more for a different spectrum.

 

[Rusty_L_Shackleford]

I agree with test equipment, I want to get some Hannahs but they are relatively expensive for each of them.

Im colorblind and just got a hannah alk checker. OMG what a game changer. No more having to get my wife to help me do the stupid titration test and wondering did it change yet? The calcium and mag tests are fine. I can see that change no problem, but the alk was a nightmare. Expensive, yes. But in my particular case absolutely worth it for the alk.