the amounts i quoted were aus dollars...we sell powderblues for $150 AUD...see we buy them for the same as u guys but then we need to sell them, and with imports we can lose a few so we up the price more and they just become anywhere from 100-200, but we sell quite alot. i earn bout $400 a week and live at home so it is affordable for me...the joy i get out of this hobby is more than money can pay 4..... u shouldnt let money control ur life, so if i want something i save till i can afford it....as a student i have spent around 7-8 thousand on my tank in 12 months and i still wanna get a calcium reactor which will be another $1200.
i just paid $100 AUD (retail was $180) for a flame angel...and its the center piece of my tank...worth every dollar
also just paid $60 AUD (retail $180) 4 a cleaner shrimp and $60 AUD (retail $180) for a maxima clam.
i know it sounds like a lot and it is....but the demand is just not as high here in aus as it is in the US