going to my first frag swap any advice?

Hello,
I started my tank back in february 2010, I only have a few coral zoa, mushroom, toodstool, candy cane and green star polyps. I am going to my first frag swap this saturday and im loking for some advice, what I should be looking for and what I should stay away from. I usually do research before buying but I don't know what gonna be there so I figure I will ask the expert.
Also what's a bargain for a frag?

Thank for advice and of course will post picture saturday when im back with my goddies.

 

I have found that I got the most nasties from frag swaps so I always dip everything now before I put it in the tank. Nasties as in flatworms, Redbugs, pyramid snail.

Look for a frag plug that is not stark white or too new looking. You want a frag that has had a at least 2 weeks to heal after fragging IMO.

Any zoanthids should be open and without any white spots.

The plug should not have algae growth on it, as in GHA or bryopsis algaes and a few others.

Have fun and take a lot of money.

 

Be prepared to leave.with a much lighter wallet. Pick up some coralrx and dip your stuff. Have an internet enabled.phone with you so you can do quick research.and be a responsible impulse buyer, because there WILL be something you dont know alot about.that you'll want.

Above all, attend all presentations and speaker events, and talk to everyone about reefing - thats the most valuable thing you'll leave the swap with by far, information.

 

Thanks that's some great info so far.
What is dipping?

 

Putting coral into a.medicated solution to kill and/or drive off parasites so they dont infect your tank.

 

1. If you are planning on spending x amount of dollars, bring x plus a lot more! Leave your credit cards and check book at home (some of the sellers accept them...to easy to spend a lot more then you planned)
2. Bring a small cooler to carry your stuff in.
3. try to go through and look at everything and everyone before buying anything. You might find that coral you want down a couple booths cheaper and better looking. Have some ideas on what you are looking for. Zoa, acros etc.
4. Look at the clubs website...often times sellers will post what they are bringing/looking for. You can get ideas of what is there and do research on it.
5. know your lighting and tank paremeters. I find often times sellers will be able to help you know if you can keep that coral and are very helpful. Be wary though, there will always be some sellers that will tell you that you can keep that $140 watermelon chalice in a high nitrate level under pc lighting!
6. Listen to the other posts, dont buy anything wiht algea on it. Can introduce some nasty stuff to your tank. It is hard to tell if that algea is just GHA or bryopsis. Some good sellers will have pictures of their tank, and pictures of the mother colony. If the frag plugs are too white, then it was just fragged and has not healed.
7. I never add any coral to my DT without first dipping them and QT them (depending on the coral) regardless of where I get them. I never add any zoa without dipping them, and I never add a monti or acro without dipping and QT them. Have been burned with all them before.
8. have fun! Frag swaps are a lot of fun and are an experience in itself. Watch the other shoppers, it can be a frenzie. One of them that I went to a couple times back, I left. People were shoving and pushing and it was not worth it.
9. Be prepared to loose some of your purchases. I bought a bunch of SPS and chalices at the last one. Most of the stuff are doing well in my QT but I did loose a watermelon chalice (ouch) and a birdsnest to STN. These were purchased from a very reputable seller who I have purchased from before. However you have to understand that this is a risk you take, as a frag swap is VERY stressful on coral

 

Wow I really appreciate all the advice, Thanks

 

stick around at the very end. if they are anything like the frag swaps i have been too, at the end of the show things are all given away.

 

I was thinking that, the sellers probably don't want to take it back home. I am thinking of going twice, i will go mid day and then go back at the end. I figure I stuff that I want and than go back for some really cheap stuff at the end.

I am glad I ask for advice looking at the condition of the plug that's a great idea. I would nt know what to look for.

Thanks alot 3 reefers

 

Be careful of the "kid in a candy store" feeling. Be sure to think twice about the environment it is going into. And remember your tank is not very old yet, so I wouldn't buy any rarities just yet.