Clean-Up Crew Group Buy

FishTri · #1 10/28/2007, 11:59 AM

I'll start off the festivities with a minimum $100 order. Could go higher. If anybody else wants to tag along, let me know. If the order gets some momentum, we can talk to the vendor about real "group buy" status.

I've checked out a few sites (Keys Critters, eTropicals, Dr. Mac, etc.) For what I'm looking for, it looks like Reeftopia has the best selection. I'm also flexible enough that I could receive the shipment either at home or at work (Bryn Mawr or Upper Darby).

I know some people just did a group buy coordinated on another forum (think "Wet Simian"). Let us know how it went, what worked, etc.

Post here if you're in.

jasert39 · #2 10/28/2007, 12:45 PM

reeftopia worked well for our group buy, contact them and they will send you all the information you will need. need to know anything else let me know.

bheron · #3 10/28/2007, 02:40 PM

I would be interested if there would be a group discount. Looking to spend at least $100. I got my initial cleaner crew from reeftopia and was very happy.

aquanut6 · #4 10/28/2007, 02:52 PM

I am interested as well...

Gordonious · #5 10/28/2007, 03:04 PM

I'm tagging along. May or may not be in.

ribs · #6 10/28/2007, 03:43 PM

I have no crew left in a 180 so it's likely $50 to $100 here.

Wet simians = waterlogged ancestors?

rodstar · #7 10/28/2007, 04:51 PM

I am probably in as well. Need to populate a 125g

Demeter · #8 10/28/2007, 07:47 PM

You can probably count me in too. I can use some more critters in my tank.

FishTri · #9 10/28/2007, 09:52 PM

O.K. Everyone over to the Reeftopia site and start putting together what you'd like. Post it here or send me a PM. I'll start a tally.

One we get an order together we'll figure out what everybody owes. I'll ask everybody to send me a check or paypal. When the money's all in we'll place the order.

Before we place the order we'll also have to work out the pick-up details.

rodstar · #10 10/29/2007, 09:16 AM

Depending on the discount, etc I want the Total Reef Care Special #3. It is 149 on the site.

SeaMac2 · #11 10/29/2007, 01:28 PM

I'm in for:

12 Astrea (what they call turbos)
12 Cerith, large
12 Nassarius vibex

Keep me posted.

Thanks!
Chris

ribs · #12 10/29/2007, 07:32 PM

I'd like:
200 Astrea
300 Cerith

At Keyscritters it would be 2 Package #6s for $300 and I'd be done.

At Reeftopia i could split the 300 Astrea lot price with someone they'd take 100 of the Astreas at $0.45 ea. ($45) because I'd have to buy the 300 qty to get the right price but only want 200. Anyone want 100 Astrea at $0.45?

At Reeftopia with the split Astreas my order would be $270. Plus a freebee or 2 that Reeftopia throws in at that level

FishTri · #13 10/29/2007, 07:52 PM

Rodstar,

I spoke to reeftopia today. Here's how the discounting works.

Over $99.00 free shipping
Some free stuff at $120.00 (e.g. an Orange ricordia polyp)
Over $200.00 10% discount

That's it. So once you get over $200 and the 10% discount level, there's not much benefit to piling on. Looks like we're easily at the $200 level.

So...

1.) Figure out what you need and what it should cost, and post it here.
2.) PM me with a telephone number where you can be reached when the stuff comes in.
3.) In the next couple of days I'll put together a master list, then set up collecting the cash.
4.) If we place the order on a Tuesday it should arrive Thursday. Let me know if you would have a problem picking your stuff up on a Thursday afternoon, or early evening.

ribs · #14 10/29/2007, 08:03 PM

At the 10% off level it would take me to $243 if someone would like the extra 100 Astreas. Poke Poke Nudge Nudge.

bheron · #15 10/29/2007, 08:20 PM

If you go to their lot prices page I think you can get even greater discounts depending on how much you buy.

FishTri · #16 10/29/2007, 08:42 PM

Ribs,

Why do you like the Astreas and Ceriths over the other critters? What about hermits, nerites, emerald crabs, etc.

ribs · #17 10/29/2007, 11:16 PM

Bryan yep! I was using the lot pricing for my tally plus another 10%.

Alan I found hermits ate the snails! Often! It doesn't work for me so I had to decide hermits or snails long ago.....not both.
Maybe a couple of nerites would fit in but feel it'd just be icing on the algae-eating cake

I love emeralds!!!!! Just not this time around.
I'm of the feeling now that any bristle or serpent star grows large enough to be suspect in unexplainable things that happen in a tank.
No sandbed in display so no cukes.
500 of these type of snails is not that much in a 180 tank.
All above just my opinion mileage varies.

bheron · #18 10/30/2007, 05:11 AM

Gotcha! Thanks.

You know, I've been reading alot about people ditching the hermits. I seem to agree and have attributed my decrease in cleaner crew (from 2 yrs ago) to either the hermits or just the warmer temps in the summer.

I think I'll look at something with just all snails.

Ribs - count me in for those extra 100 Turbo Astreas.

Ordering today or next tues?

mkbtank · #19 10/30/2007, 05:41 AM

I've seen the hermit/snail attack in my 180, and it's never good for the snails. I have to agree.

I may be in on this order as well.

rodstar · #20 10/30/2007, 07:35 AM

That is why I am going with the Total Reef Care Package #3. The only hermit crabs in there are the scarlet ones and I have found that they do not bother my snails. It was the blue legs and others that would gang up on the snails. I received more than a couple phone calls from my wife while I was on the road giving me play-by-play of the hermits attacking a snail and then fighting for the shell and carcass.

And this package also comes with emerald crabs which I love. Unfortunately, they disappear in my rock work and I never can find them...

us2000ua · #21 10/30/2007, 07:57 AM

Good idea to get Trochus snails, they are like Astreas, but can right themselves. I'm going to order some Astreas and Ceriths.

FishTri · #22 10/30/2007, 09:26 AM

Thanks all for the comments on hermits, stars, etc.

Ribs, I can confirm that the stars are carnivores. I recently lost some chromis and peppermint shrimp. Based on the bulges in the star's middle, there was no question what happened to them... He's been banished to the 'fuge for now.

Bryan, the order definitely won't be going in today. If I get my act together, maybe we can do it next week.

Do people have the same problem with crabs (killing other stuff) as with hermits? Specifically, the Emerald's?

rodstar · #23 10/30/2007, 09:35 AM

Not me... My emerald hasn't eaten anything besides detritus... not even my outbreak of bubble algae.

In fact, I haven't seen my one emerald in about a week (in my small 14g Biocube) so I am not even sure if he is still around...

us2000ua · #24 10/30/2007, 09:46 AM

I agree on crabs. No crabs. I saw them attack snails. I have one sally light foot in ma tank. I bought it long time ago, it was so cool looking with red eyes. Now its 5" size (legs) and he is trying to catch any fish, that swims by.

It looks like Keyscritters have better prices. If some of you remember I organized one group buy from them. Excellent costumer service. Half of my snails arrived dead for some reason and they sent me replacement at no cost at all. As I remember I wasn't alone with dead snails and they sent new one to everyone.

bheron · #25 10/30/2007, 10:11 AM

Sounds good.

PS - Keyscritters does have some great prices, without any discounts, but it looks like its mostly blue legs, astreas, and ceriths. They throw in some nice freebies and then offer a discount once you get to $500.