Question about swap

[tkimmons85]

The closer we get to the swap the more and more I am seeing preselling. My question is, this being my first swap how many frags are usually brought that arent pre- sold. If I get there at 12 will there be a good selection to look through? Or should I already be pre- buying. I just dont want to get there and not be able to find some things Im looking for.

My wish list

pink / blue / or green long polyp sarcophyton
birdsnest sps
blue colored tort or some kind
chili pepper monti
some diff colored rics
some vivid zoas

and anything else that catches my eye and empties my wallet :)

[nightfire]

im actually with ya on this one,it'll be a long drive for me with my wife and possibly both kids and it's my first swap too,i'd hate to get there and nothings there cause theres tons of pre selling

[ai-reefer]

A lot of companies will be there aswell. I assume they'll have plenty of frags. I could be wrong though :)

[GPhiAce]

I still have a chilli pepper monti FS. There will be plenty of frags there that will not have a FS thread here on RC. I think you should have no issue finding what you are looking for. Good luck

[mapn4reef]

Also, for first timers like me, should we bring a cooler or something to keep them stable...do we have to bring our own bags/containers or will the people selling them provide that? Just curious what the process is...say you buy 10 frags by 1:00...and you want to stay the entire time, what's the best way to hold/transport them...or do you pay for them and have the seller hold them until ya get ready to leave...

[sandalscout]

I've been to two frag swaps, and I haven't purchased anything "presold" at either, but still felt like there was a ton of great corals to buy. I think that the guys really into LE corals buy most of their stuff that way, but I'm not, and still find plenty of great pieces at great prices.

[GPhiAce]

Well, I can post my opinion, but you know what they say about opinions. :)

Bring a cooler and a heat pack (it may be a little cold out, so something like hot hands should work). The seller should have bags/containers. I buy the "must haves/ harder to find/ great deals" first. I ask for the more delicate corals/items to be held in the tank till the end (if it is a nice set up). With that being said I like getting my stuff and keeping them in my cooler (makes sure they are not resold). Some times mistakes are made and money talks. I like staying to the end. Some people offer great deals in the last 30 mins or so. :) Thats just my opinion, hope it helps. This was my first swap a few years ago, and it is by far my favorite.

[cee]

Definately bring a cooler to keep them in and a WalMart hand warmer or the more delicate items likely won't survive, esp. if you have a long drive after the swap. There will be plenty of items not pre-sold at the swap. However, since I have no frag tank, preselling is about the only way I offer frags.

[tkimmons85]

Gotcha, thanks guys

[tommy patton]

Most stuff being presold is LE or stuff that people dont want to cut and bring if it isnt going to sell. A lot of people dont want to cut acros and bring them because you have to have room to bring them home and keep them if they dont sell. There will be a lot of people there with stuff to sell that isnt presold but if you are looking for stuff that is hard to find you may want to snatch it up before it is gone.

[tkimmons85]

Thats the second time I have read that. That a coral is LE, what is LE. I couldnt find it on the RCacronyms sticky.

[GPhiAce]

Sorry :) LE is limited edition. Some corals were designated "LE" at one point and the name stuck. At one point it meant that they were harder to find/ rarer. They typically have specific lineage to a single source (many are tyree). Or at least that is my understanding of it. Now, it seems to be just a part of the name since there are so many people out there that have corals and are willing to frag them. I am sure someone will chime in with a better explanation than my half of one. :)

[AdrianBryce]

LE costs more. even if it has been widely propagated. they generally are more colorful corals.

[andywe]

There are plenty of frags at the swap. Of course, early bird gets the wrorm..the nice stuff goes fast. Leah and I will ahve a nice little asortment of frags at the swap, but haven't presold. We have some cool Zoas, shrooms, and such.

Do bring a cooler, and the hand warmer if a long drive as someone previously suggested. Also keep in mind there will be some equipment, maybe a few tanks, and perhaps a very limited amount of fish (mainly clowns it seemed).

[tkimmons85]

Okay another question. You mentioned specific lineage. Can you explain what that means a little more. Also what does tyree mean, is it just another word for rare or is it a certain type of coral.

[GPhiAce]

Tyree refers to steve tyree. He does alot of work with aquaculture I believe, and has a lot of corals that he "raised." Meaning that he got them and propagated and named them. Tyree corals are kinda like a brand almost, like ORA almost. You can do a google search for Tyree Corals and get a bunch of information (which are LE, when they were LE, when the LE name should dissolve, names of alot of them, pictures, how to get them, etc.). You can also browse the FS forum to get an idea of LE, tyree and ORA corals, although all those with the LE title are not LE (I hate it when people slap LE on everything-- pet peeve).

Lineage is just that. for instance, my ORA Blue Voodoo, ORA purple plasma and ORA joe the coral's lineage is ORA-Atlanta Reef-me. My Captain America Paly (think it is named Tyree LE Captain America Paly now) is WWC-Rukis-me. If you check tommypatton's FS thread you will see names off to the side of some of his corals (I think they are there). That is the lineage of the corals and should go back to the original owner/propagator, or as far back as possible. This also insures that they are not 1st generation wild corals which are sometimes not as hardier (retaining color and healthy) as those that have been through several generations of propagation. I am sure others have a better more technical answer, but that is quick and dirty.

This link may help a little with Tyree, LE and AE (auctioned editions) corals http://www.reeffarmers.com/reeffarmersmain.htm

[tkimmons85]

That helped alot thank you.

You ever frag that captain america ? :)

[andywe]

Just some additional info. ORA is acutally a particular farm (Oceans Reef and Aquarium) that sells wholesale only; a brand name if you will. http://www.orafarm.com/corals.html

[GPhiAce]

That helped alot thank you.

You ever frag that captain america ? :)

Nope, sorry. It is not growing that fast for me. Just started to show were a few babies should pop up. And my asking price for my only polyp is extrememly laughable. :)

[tkimmons85]

I know I saw what they where asking for one polyp on reeffarmers. That thing is almost worth its weight in gold. How long have you had it?

[GPhiAce]

I know I saw what they where asking for one polyp on reeffarmers. That thing is almost worth its weight in gold. How long have you had it?

about 2 months or so, maybe less. There is a site asking for half of what everyone else is asking-- forgot the site though. It is not my favorite paly by far.

[james3370]

there were people still buying/selling when we were putting tables & chairs away last year....if that gives ya any idea

:lol:

[tkimmons85]

What is your favorite paly?

[DMBillies]

there were people still buying/selling when we were putting tables & chairs away last year....if that gives ya any idea

:lol:

That's the best time for the good deals...

There are plenty of people who don't post what they are bringing and just bring it. And even people that post that bring stuff they didn't post. For the most part, the pre-sells are the rarest stuff that people don't want to frag and then get stuck not being able to sell for the price they want.

[GPhiAce]

I am really liking my ChongBongs (NFS), red Ring PHE (NFS), grateful deads, and green stardust PEs right now. The CA does look ridiculous under T5s.

Oh, Not sure if you found all that you were looking for. I have a frag of ORA Blue Voodoo (green and blue acro) if you are still looking for a blue colored stag. I also have a red hot chilli pepper. I can put together a paly frag pack if you like.

[tkimmons85]

Can you send me some pics of the blue voodoo, red hot chili pepper and the palys.

[GPhiAce]

pm and pics sent