BRS Fresh - what do you think of them?

[Art]

​

As some of you know, BRS Fresh is the freshwater side of the famous and popular saltwater retailer, Bulk Reef Supply. Given that BRS is a behemoth in the online retail space, to me this seems like the big box takeover against the small planted aquarium online retailers that we have all used for yours.

Two thoughts:

1. In your opinion, is this a good thing for the planted aquarium hobby? Is this the Walmart, Starbucks, Amazon of our hobby?
2. I guess the fact that they are now moving into our space, including selling plants, means that FINALLY our hobby is getting real backing by big corporations. This should definitely increase the profile and availability of plants, at least in the US. Do you agree?

 

[ElleDee]

Honestly, I'm not sure what it offers me as a consumer beyond what was already widely available. I did a little poking around and the prices seem similar to what I can find elsewhere and the product mix wasn't particularly special. It didn't look bad or anything, but what's the hook? That it's an all in one shop?

It's possible I'm just too particular now and am used to having to source very particular products, and anything beyond that is already widely available at massive retailers. Maybe I would have appreciated this a lot as a newbie instead of having to cobble together several orders from different places?

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

I’ve always appreciated BRS videos on YouTube when it comes to filtration etc. In terms of their entrance into the freshwater side, I think it’s a good overall to add to the competition but their prices as @ElleDee mentioned are pretty much the same as everywhere else. Now if they opened up their own nursery and started growing their own stuff, I’d be more impressed. I’m still waiting for Tropica to open a facility in the US but baby steps.

 

[Art]

Tropica to open a facility in the US but baby steps

They tried many years ago and it was not successful. Mostly because of who they partnered with...

It looks like they are sourcing more from UNS and I'm hoping that they really increase the availability and distribution of their products. A healthy manufacturer, distributor, retailer relationship means more products, innovation and healthy competition as others get in. Bulk Reef Supply did wonders for the reefing hobby in terms of innovation and competition.

And, @ElleDee, IMHO one of the biggest issues we have is our lack of a large aquatic plant retailer that carries most of what we want. At least in North America. We have to cobble together, as you say, the plants we want from different sources, commercial, hobbyists, etc.

 

[ElleDee]

They tried many years ago and it was not successful. Mostly because of who they partnered with...

I don't know anything about this, but I'd love to know more about this history! DM me if you need to speak more freely.

It looks like they are sourcing more from UNS and I'm hoping that they really increase the availability and distribution of their products. A healthy manufacturer, distributor, retailer relationship means more products, innovation and healthy competition as others get in. Bulk Reef Supply did wonders for the reefing hobby in terms of innovation and competition.

And, @ElleDee, IMHO one of the biggest issues we have is our lack of a large aquatic plant retailer that carries most of what we want. At least in North America. We have to cobble together, as you say, the plants we want from different sources, commercial, hobbyists, etc.

I think that big retailers can bring some improvements to the market, sure, but I am skeptical that we will get to a point where you'll be able to buy "most of what we want" from one place, especially if investments are made in developing new cultivars and introducing novel species to the market. Big retailers are capitalists first and foremost, they are going to carry what they can sell for a profit and there's only so much variety the market will be able to sustain. As new stuff becomes available, some great stuff is not going to make the cut anymore, maybe due to reasons that have nothing to do with its merit in the tank, and it's still going to be a hunt if you want to get a hold of it. That's just how it is with ornamental plants across the board, and I can't think why our hobby should be any different.

The other thing is, I keep wondering if or when the hobby starts having to contend with patented plants. Plant patents cost money to apply for ($20k, maybe?) and there are a million rules to how they are granted, but then no one is permitted to propagate that plant without permission from the patent holder and paying them a royalty. This ensures that successful plants make money for the people who developed them, but it generally increases prices and limits how those plants can be legally bought a sold. It doesn't make sense economically to go that route right now, but as more big players get on the board I wonder if that will come up. If that day comes, it's going to be a big change where the latest and greatest offerings cannot be legally bought and sold between hobbyists, or anyone outside the approved supply chain.