What Do You Like To See At Frag Swaps?

[ReefStable]

What Do You Like To See At Frag Swaps?
I know the answers will be mixed, but there are a few different types of coral, so I'm just curious what you all like to see!

A Few Topics I'm Interested In Are

1) What type of coral do you like to buy at shows? High End, Beginner, or a Variety?
2) Do you prefer smaller frags (1/2" - 1") for lower prices or larger frags (2"+) for a higher, but fair price?
3) Do you like to see vendors that have a variety of different coral or specialized booths like Acros, Euphyllia, etc?

Let the discussion begin!

 

[Reefing102]

I like to see high end just to see them in person but to buy, I’d like larger frags at lower/fair prices

 

[ReefStable]

Thanks for your input @Reefing102 !
Does anybody else have some insight? Hopefully this will help toward making frag swaps what you're looking for them to be!

 

[doubleshot00]

Larger frags without a doubt. I wont even look at your booth if its just tiny stuff. Where JF shines IMO as he brings larger stuff to swaps.

 

[GlassMunky]

same, larger frags at decent prices. I cant stand the whole tiny frag trend. im not paying you for fresh cut, unhealed, 1/2" frags.
I also like to see a decent variety. when everyone has the same stuff its boring. ohh look 5 vendors all have the same torches and hammers and all want $300/head..... whoopie doo

 

[GlassMunky]

Thanks for your input @Reefing102 !
Does anybody else have some insight? Hopefully this will help toward making frag swaps what you're looking for them to be!

do people even do REAL frag SWAPS anymore? seems these days its all just shows with tons of vendors who all have basement online shops these days...
everyone and there mother sells corals now as a side-gig and money-making scheme


I miss the old days where the shows/swaps were legit places where hobbyists could come and share corals with each other and learn vs it being nothing but a money-grab which like 85% of shows/events seem to be these days in my experience.

 

[library 112]

going to my first one in Sterling Heights MI in April, was excited now I have doubts lol

 

[fushi]

What Do You Like To See At Frag Swaps?
I know the answers will be mixed, but there are a few different types of coral, so I'm just curious what you all like to see!

A Few Topics I'm Interested In Are

1) What type of coral do you like to buy at shows? High End, Beginner, or a Variety?
2) Do you prefer smaller frags (1/2" - 1") for lower prices or larger frags (2"+) for a higher, but fair price?
3) Do you like to see vendors that have a variety of different coral or specialized booths like Acros, Euphyllia, etc?

Let the discussion begin!

I like to see a nice variety, but more importantly I like to see some white light or at least an AB+ esque color light. It’s really hard to tell if a coral actually looks like something I want to buy when its only under “black light”.

 

[Blindzy]

do people even do REAL frag SWAPS anymore? seems these days its all just shows with tons of vendors who all have basement online shops these days...
everyone and there mother sells corals now as a side-gig and money-making scheme


I miss the old days where the shows/swaps were legit places where hobbyists could come and share corals with each other and learn vs it being nothing but a money-grab which like 85% of shows/events seem to be these days in my experience.

This ^^^

 

[Reefer Matt]

going to my first one in Sterling Heights MI in April, was excited now I have doubts lol

I will be a vendor there myself, but I mainly go to see all the Reefers. This is the best quality show imo, and the only one I vend at.
Thread 'Event: Sterling Heights Frag Swap! April 21st 2024'
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/event-sterling-heights-frag-swap-april-21st-2024.1042923/

 

[Reefer Matt]

do people even do REAL frag SWAPS anymore? seems these days its all just shows with tons of vendors who all have basement online shops these days...
everyone and there mother sells corals now as a side-gig and money-making scheme


I miss the old days where the shows/swaps were legit places where hobbyists could come and share corals with each other and learn vs it being nothing but a money-grab which like 85% of shows/events seem to be these days in my experience.

The problem is who pays for the venue then? There are hardly any clubs anymore.

 

[Dmmz]

do people even do REAL frag SWAPS anymore? seems these days its all just shows with tons of vendors who all have basement online shops these days...
everyone and there mother sells corals now as a side-gig and money-making scheme


I miss the old days where the shows/swaps were legit places where hobbyists could come and share corals with each other and learn vs it being nothing but a money-grab which like 85% of shows/events seem to be these days in my experience.

I was part of a reef club and we would swap corals so we didn't have to spend as much to have nice coral. The swaps were always to make money and I don't see anything wrong with people making money off something they put a lot of time and effort into it offsets the cost of the hobby.

 

[Dmmz]

The problem is who pays for the venue then? There are hardly any clubs anymore.

I think this is the real problem

 

[GlassMunky]

The problem is who pays for the venue then? There are hardly any clubs anymore.

i get it... it still sucks for the hobby as a whole that those days of information and resource sharing are over in favor or mass-commercialism.

 

[Reefer Matt]

i get it... it still sucks for the hobby as a whole that those days of information and resource sharing are over in favor or mass-commercialism.

Yeah I agree completely. I even tried to foot the bill myself, but no one would commit to showing up in my area. People around me actually prefer to just buy, get free stuff, then leave.

 

[twentyleagues]

I think I like a combo of all of it. I also like meeting people from my area. I agree with @Reefer Matt its very hard to organize clubs and events when you get wants from the community but no commitment. Tried this last time I was in the hobby.
I should just say what I dont like, overpriced corals, fresh cut frags, chop shop style venders.

 

[ReefStable]

Great discussion everyone!

Let's add another question
I know most are looking for a deal, but most vendors giving the best "deals" tend to buy wild coral, cut and resell them.

Would you rather spend $60 on a single head of a nice yellow hammer that is "home-grown" or spend $40 on a larger head/double of the same hammer, but it's wild?

Follow-Up
Do you ask if the coral is aquacultured or just look for the best deal?

 

[twentyleagues]

Great discussion everyone!

Let's add another question
I know most are looking for a deal, but most vendors giving the best "deals" tend to buy wild coral, cut and resell them.

Would you rather spend $60 on a single head of a nice yellow hammer that is "home-grown" or spend $40 on a larger head/double of the same hammer, but it's wild?

Follow-Up
Do you ask if the coral is aquacultured or just look for the best deal?

Home grow. And yes I ask. I also ask what lights, intensities, color spectrum and par levels. Typically I ask par levels first, its funny most dont have a clue. I then say ok what lights do you run? and so on so I get a good idea of what it was getting. Knowing my par at different areas of the tank makes this less stressful on the corals but more stressful on me going and googling their lights to get an idea.

 

[cilyjr]

I ask par levels first, its funny most dont have a clue. I then say ok what lights do you run? and so on so I get a good idea of what it was getting. Knowing my par at different areas of the tank makes this less stressful on the corals

Hmmm. Over 20 years into this and I've never cared. I spent a good amount of time with a coral researcher (his job was looking for possible medical applications) who said off-handed once, put it in one place and leave it and let it adapt to the area. That has worked fantastic for me.

I think I'm doing ok

 

[cilyjr]

Great discussion everyone!

Let's add another question
I know most are looking for a deal, but most vendors giving the best "deals" tend to buy wild coral, cut and resell them.

Would you rather spend $60 on a single head of a nice yellow hammer that is "home-grown" or spend $40 on a larger head/double of the same hammer, but it's wild?

Follow-Up
Do you ask if the coral is aquacultured or just look for the best deal?

It doesn't matter to me.
I bring in wild and maricultured pieces all the time.