3rd Semi-Annual Tn. Frag Swap

[gflat65]

If you haven't already, start preparing for the January frag swap. It will be held on January 14th at the Radisson Opryland in room Donelson B. The swap will begin at 1:00 and end at 4:00. The hotel is located right off of Briley Parkway next to the Opry Mills Mall and the Opryland Hotel. There is plenty of eateries locally and tons of factory store shopping very locally.

Because they have carpeted floors (one of the things I tried to avoid), be very careful with your displays. We will have tables set up lining the walls. There will be electrical service available, but bring heavy duty extension cords, just to be safe. If you plan on bringing a display of some sort, bring towels, also, just in case. Please contact me if you plan to set up some sort of large display. I plan to sketch everything out to make sure we have all corners covered. I'm going to talk to a few LFS and local vendors about setting up small displays, with more fun details to come.

[foggy54]

Gary's looking for a head count for January for planning purposes, who's planning to make the trip?

[RCS]

I should be there.

[EvilMel]

I might be going but at this point I can't be certain.

[awcurl]

I plan on going.

[Fishboy42]

Maybe? I'd like to go though. If I can make it I'll bring frags & clowns.

[gflat65]

Only a little over two weeks until the frag swap. Just wanted to post some links to threads with what you might expect to see there. Hope to see as many as can make it:).
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=716166 (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=716166)
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=721057 (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=721057)
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=706390 (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=706390)
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=724872 (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=724872)
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=729584 (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=729584)

[Chemguy85]

What city is this frag swap going to be in?

[gflat65]

Nashville in the Opryland area (~ a mile from the Opry Mills mall).

[EvilMel]

Anybody going to this?

I am seriously considering it now but I'd stay overnight so probably can't take anyone with me.

[awcurl]

I'm going, I havn't made up my mind if I'll be selling though.

[Harbour]

I realize this is a very general question but...

For those that have attended events like these, what can you expect to get frags for?

I live about 2 hours away and if they sell for LFS prices I'd be better off supporting my LFS than driving 4 hours round trip plus gas, food etc...

If anyone has any examples of what they paid in the past at this type of event I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,

Harbour

[EvilMel]

I'd say it really ranges ALOT. I mean there are always people who bring special sps that cost like $50 per frag but alot of the times those are the highly sought after frags that go for alot more online.

Then there's the neat but slightly more common corals that typically go for like $10 per frag. I always sell my zoos and sps for around $10-20 depending solely on size. If it's a gigantic frag I might sell it for $20. But I am talking about branched 3-4" frags, not a small one, ya know?

There are always a range of prices but toward the end of the swap the prices usually start to get better as people try to sell what they have left. The bad thing about doing that is that if you come there looking for a specific frag, well...you might not get it if you wait until the end.

Also, there's already alot of online trading/selling going on, so I would advise you to check those threads out to get an idea of what people will have for sale.

[cee]

I'll be offering many frags as pre-sales for $15-$20 range, which is generally what you would expect to pay as Mel stated above. Of course, some of the rarer stuff will be priced accordingly. One of the big benefits of attending, IMO, is the raffle and networking with fellow reefers. You get to meet others from across the state/region who you wouldn't otherwise get to interact with, and can lead to future frag trades, collaborations, etc. I know I find this aspect most rewarding, but then again I'm plumb out of room in my tank.

Dave

[RCS]

I should have some stuff to bring with as well. It really depends on your LFS. It runs the full range, as everyone has said. Overall, you're likely get much more variety and nicer pieces at a frag swap. It's hard to compare on strictly a cost basis something like a wild acro colony at the LFS versus a hard-to-get LE acro frag for $25...it's in your opinion in most cases.

Most of the stuff I bring with will be in the $10-20 range.

[KafudaFish]

Do any of you know if someone is selling LR at the swap? I am going to order a 95 from glasscages and probably pick it up at the swap. I only need enough LR to seed my tank since I already have around 85 lbs. of base rock.
Oh and I plan to take the plunge and join ETRC this month. Hope to meet everyone soon.
Michael

[easttn]

I'll be there. Should have lots of things to sell/trade. I'll post once I get home from my folks house. I'll have some hardware and some SPS. Stay tuned.

Great job Gary.

Charles

[Harbour]

First, thanks for the info!

Second, I have a ton of Palythoa Grandis (Gulf of Mexico). Most open to the size of a silver dollar (if you can remember those!) and have stalks 2 plus inches long. They don't have to be fed but when you do, it's sorta like a venus fly trap - fun to watch. Under VHO's they are brownish and sometimes have a greenish band around the center.


In your opinion would people rather buy them and create their own piece by gluing them to their rock (they attach with super glue gel easily) or have me bring them already glued to rock?

Without gluing them to the rock makes for easier transport both ways!

Harbour

[awcurl]

I'll trade you 5 polyps of zoe's for 5 polyps of yours.

[EvilMel]

IMO attached is better but that's purely my opinion. It just seems like the frags are heartier and that they are more established when previously mounted. Also, some people don't know how to mount things like that, so they lose the frags in their tank (found this out from personal experience with the sale of my leather coral).

BUT some people do prefer unmounted stuff like sps, I think. If you have limited room, then being able to stick the thin branch into a hole is always nice (rather than trying to find room/ledge for a little rock).

[Pterois2004]

This is the first one I'll have to miss due to having surgery. I'll miss seeing you all. Have a great time!

[EvilMel]

I hope everything works out ok Angela. See you at the next one.

[knowse]

Harbour,
I'm 2 1/2 hrs away and even if I didn't swap or buy something, I'd go just for the fun of it. Besides, EB and AC are worth the trip alone.
BTW, you didn't say what you'd let those big palys go for!

easttn, I think you and I are supposed to hook up and talk about a mutual friend (greshamh).