How to start a Coral Reef collection. (Tips)

How to prepare to make a nice coral
reef collection:

I know a lot of collectors at STS just simply place their figures by the stacks on a bookshelf, but why not spice things up a little bit?
The first thing you are going to need is either:
A. Bookshelf
B. Desktop
C. Table

You will need these for your fish to be put. But, you are going to need a legit back drop for the fish. I recommend a plastic, back ground that you can tape to the back of the shelf or on the wall. It doesn't damage anything. They can also be cut like paper too. Here is an example. I happen to own this one.
http://m.petsmart.com/h5/product?id=http%3A%2Ffish%2Fbackgrounds%2Fmarina-reversible-reef-blue-aquarium-background-zid36-16905%2Fcat-36-catid-300068%3Fnull

The last thing you need to do before getting some figures, is to find some corals and accessories. Keep in mind that the best corals are the biggest ones. Corals that can hold up to 30 or more fish are perfect. They should also have nooks and carnies for eels to hide in. Possibly even some sea weed attached to it for some more color and realistic countenance. Here are some examples:
Smaller scale:
http://m.petsmart.com/h5/product?id=http%3A%2Ffish%2Fornaments%2Ftop-fin-rose-coral-bubbler-aquarium-ornament-zid36-17730%2Fcat-36-catid-300071%3Fnull
Moderate scale:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008DVSL7W/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1397422922&sr=1-4&m=A3KQXFHFL594KT&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70
Huge Scale:
http://m.petsmart.com/h5/product?id=fish%2Fdecor-gravel%2Ftop-fin-stone-coral-bubbler-aquarium-ornament-zid36-17728%2Fcat-36-catid-300014%3Fvar_id%3D36-17728
Now that you have a variety of corals to choose from, you will need to touch things up a little.

Try to sprinkle a tiny bit of colorful sands around if you don't mind a slight mess, or a tad but extra cleaning to do. Add some sea shells, rocks, or sea weeds. Try to place the corals in a position that create small caves. A lot of accessories tend to come up in some plastic sea life sets. Smaller scale corals for example.
Some examples of accessories:
~
Some variety of sea weeds would be nice. Unique and colorful.
http://m.petsmart.com/h5/product?id=fish%2Fdecor-gravel%2Ftop-fin-aquarium-rock-plant-zid36-16638%2Fcat-36-catid-300014%3Fvar_id%3D36-16638
If you are looking into something more realistic, this greenie is good.
http://m.petsmart.com/h5/product?id=fish%2Fdecor-gravel%2Ftop-fin-artifical-green-yellow-hair-aquarium-plant-zid36-17618%2Fcat-36-catid-300014%3Fvar_id%3D36-17618
Some rock formations are also creative. Arches or caves work.
http://m.petsmart.com/h5/product?id=fish%2Fdecor-gravel%2Ftop-fin-sabina-rock-aquarium-ornament-zid36-17747%2Fcat-36-catid-300014%3Fvar_id%3D36-17747
A few unique rocks of various shapes, sizes, and colors will also give some extra detail in the coral reef.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/552042866796078043/
Sea shells touch up the reef a lot. It gives it more creativity. Sand dollars and star fish work well. Even a few fish bones from your left over trout dinner will give your reef an eerie feel.
http://www.countryporch.com/darice/view.asp?item=2503-64&gclid=CLHfreqx3r0CFcyTfgodsXMASw
If you want less fragile sea shells, I recommend these.
http://www.tgftoys.com/Safari-Ltd-Seashells-Toob-6888-04.htm?gclid=CO6T9Iuy3r0CFROVfgodJyIARg
A little accessory/backdrop/lighting technique like these.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003WKJJHK/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
This is a mini night light projector. I use to own one, but mine burned out because I left it plugged in all the time. If your reef is going to be close to a electrical outlet at a legit angle, this is perfect to project onto your reef.
http://www.endoftherainbow-gifts.com/fishprojectionnightlight.html
Now, it's time to go shopping. For fish this time! Here is a list of links I have racked up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.ibuyla.com/Product/26770980806/Special_marine_model_animals_and_whale_sharks_sea_turtle_tropical_fish_sea_animal_model_toys_16_Kit
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http://www.ibuyla.com/Product/14218405379/Special_offer_genuine_environmental_odor_toy_sea_animals_tropical_fish_model_trumpet
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http://www.ibuyla.com/Product/38924319894/
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http://www.ibuyla.com/Product/17771941542/
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http://www.ibuyla.com/Product/22077055360/#
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http://www.ibuyla.com/Product/17326048204/SH_genuine_toy_green_environmental_odour-free_tropical_fish_model_software_s/
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http://www.ibuyla.com/Product/17326048204/SH_
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http://www.ibuyla.com/Product/20981375600/Close_resemblance_ocean_animal_toys_toys_tropical_fish_turtles_fishing_game_sea_animal_model/
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http://www.ibuyla.com/Product/35911064381/Plastic_animal_toy_marine_tropical_fish_simulation_model_presents_%28a_pack_12_Pack%2C_only_8_Yuan%29/
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http://www.dhgate.com/product/plastic-summer-toy-small-fish-10-ap07619/166254571.html#s1-2-1%7C2955659223
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http://store.tapirback.com/tropical-reef-fish/
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http://www.birthdayexpress.com/Assorted-Plastic-Tropical-Fish/50246/PartyItemDetail.aspx
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http://m.target.com/p/learning-resources-fun-fish-counters/-/A-10647874?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=10647874&CPNG=Toys&kpid=10647874&LID=PA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=10647874&gclid=CPn_i_az3r0CFa07MgodUggASg
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http://m.rakuten.com/product/204204775?listingid=304563228&adid=18184
*These contain accessories!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B002G3K4O6/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
These can only be found through American members:
http://www.veghead.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_23&products_id=589&osCsid=523cf957b592d6c55f9af8c32df1a6ff
I hope I have helped your still maturing tropical fish collection immensely. I hope that this guide will help your reef collections prosper.

Very very interesting, especially the different paints. What is the size of the Learning ressources fishes and how many different figurines are in this set?

widukind wrote:

Very very interesting, especially the different paints. What is the size of the Learning ressources fishes and how many different figurines are in this set?

They have about 12 of each figure and 5 duplicates. There are 60 total. You already have them Andreas in your unmarked animals zoo.

QuollMate wrote:

widukind wrote:

Very very interesting, especially the different paints. What is the size of the Learning ressources fishes and how many different figurines are in this set?

They have about 12 of each figure and 5 duplicates. There are 60 total. You already have them Andreas in your unmarked animals zoo.

Thank you:) and you are sure i have them? I will look because i dont think so but i also forget sometimes what i have:) Can you please share a pic with all?

I can post pics on collector's quest later today.

Okay  

QuollMate wrote:

I can post pics on collector's quest later today.

I only see one of this fishes there, can you please share pics   

widukind wrote:

QuollMate wrote:

I can post pics on collector's quest later today.

I only see one of this fishes there, can you please share pics   

I will because I am out sick today. I will share a link that shows all. Check your private messages.
http://www.christianbook.com/apps/product?item_no=7350407;dv=m;en=google-pla;event=PLASHOP;kw=backorders-0-20;p=1167941;gclid=CP6W4qWJ8r0CFcqUfgodvxAA7g;item_code=WW

You might also want to consider buying Safari Ltd.'s Flippers, Fins and Fun boxed set:



It includes a toob size queen trigger fish (a mini version of the Incredible Creatures one with the same painting), a grouper and the piece of coral (if you look closely at the lower right hand corner, there's an eel) The sea turtle is similar to the baby green sea turtle from the Wild Safari Sealife collection.

Thanks you! I was seriously hoping for a smaller sized rainbow triggerfish!

QuollMate wrote:

Thanks you! I was seriously hoping for a smaller sized rainbow triggerfish!

You're welcome. If I remember correctly, this set is retired. H and H Winners' Circle has it for about $10.

orcagirl26 wrote:

QuollMate wrote:

Thanks you! I was seriously hoping for a smaller sized rainbow triggerfish!

You're welcome. If I remember correctly, this set is retired. H and H Winners' Circle has it for about $10.

I found it for 9$ at Amazon. I will buy that. I can trade whatever I don't want but I do like that grouper a lot despite its size. Is the triggerfish the size of the Toob fish?
I haven't known about this set until you told me and I haven't seen the set in any of the catalogs so it would assume you are right about production.

QuollMate wrote:

orcagirl26 wrote:

QuollMate wrote:

Thanks you! I was seriously hoping for a smaller sized rainbow triggerfish!

You're welcome. If I remember correctly, this set is retired. H and H Winners' Circle has it for about $10.

I found it for 9$ at Amazon. I will buy that. I can trade whatever I don't want but I do like that grouper a lot despite its size. Is the triggerfish the size of the Toob fish?
I haven't known about this set until you told me and I haven't seen the set in any of the catalogs so it would assume you are right about production.

It's about the size of the toob fish, a little bigger than a nickel.

orcagirl26 wrote:

QuollMate wrote:

orcagirl26 wrote:

QuollMate wrote:

Thanks you! I was seriously hoping for a smaller sized rainbow triggerfish!

You're welcome. If I remember correctly, this set is retired. H and H Winners' Circle has it for about $10.

I found it for 9$ at Amazon. I will buy that. I can trade whatever I don't want but I do like that grouper a lot despite its size. Is the triggerfish the size of the Toob fish?
I haven't known about this set until you told me and I haven't seen the set in any of the catalogs so it would assume you are right about production.

It's about the size of the toob fish, a little bigger than a nickel.

Perfect size! I kept thinking "If they made a small clown triggerfish, why didn't they make the rainbow one?" But the whole time there was this one. Safari asked on their FB page what they should include in their possible 2015 coral reef toob. So I figured they could recycle this mold.

For anyone who is still following this thread, I have added more fish to the thread and have made it easier to read using color coordination.

Thanks for your effort Emma! I am sure some people is using silently this topic as reference, it is good that you keep updating it.

Roger wrote:

Thanks for your effort Emma! I am sure some people is using silently this topic as reference, it is good that you keep updating it.

Thank you Roger. It seems not many are replying anymore but that's fine.

QuollMate wrote:

Roger wrote:

Thanks for your effort Emma! I am sure some people is using silently this topic as reference, it is good that you keep updating it.

Thank you Roger. It seems not many are replying anymore but that's fine.

It is not easy to follow all topics, mainly those that are only updated. Also Summer time is not the most active on forum. Though, we cannot complain, I often read excelent threads from other foruns or divinal blog articles and often I find them without a single comment.

Roger wrote:

QuollMate wrote:

Roger wrote:

Thanks for your effort Emma! I am sure some people is using silently this topic as reference, it is good that you keep updating it.

Thank you Roger. It seems not many are replying anymore but that's fine.

It is not easy to follow all topics, mainly those that are only updated. Also Summer time is not the most active on forum. Though, we cannot complain, I often read excelent threads from other foruns or divinal blog articles and often I find them without a single comment.

It is true. As soon as school and work goes back into full swing, maybe we will be more active here.
I'm already stalking Safari Ltd's FaceBook for imformation.