Our experience at the New Jersey 2008 Frag Swap

Frag Swap 2008

The concept of a frag swap is fantastic. Members and guests exchange information and hear experts speak about corals and coral propagation. Reefers can take corals that they have grown in their own tanks and trade them. These exchanges not only help the hobbyist, but also are very green for the environment as wild corals are not removed from their environment.

Looking forward to Frag Swap 2008 in Secaucus, New Jersey, my oldest son and I packed up a Styrofoam container with 7 beautiful Australian Acathastrea frags and went to see what we could get. When we arrived, we found the entrance well manned and well organized.

Frag Swap corals for sale

When we first got in we were asked by a fellow reefer “what do you got?” We opened up our container and started showing our corals to each other. Then, two workers helping to organize the swap came up to us.

“You really shouldn’t do that here,” said the people working at the Swap.

“Well, where is the trading area?” I asked.

“There is none” replied the man in purple.

“Isn’t this a frag swap?” I asked. The worker replied, “All these vendors paid $200 a table, and they are selling corals, so we really don’t want the other people competing right in front of them.”

Trying to be on my best behavior in front of my older son, I calmly pointed out that if this was the case the event should be called a ”Frag Buy” instead of a Frag Swap. Also we paid $30 to get in the door, and although it was not $200, it should afford us some rights to do what the event advertises.

Drawing for prizes

This encounter did not hinder us from trading. We were able to get some beautiful Acroproa, pink Stylophora and green Favia. What we found really interesting, is that most of the trading we did was with people who had the booths!

The action on the floor

The speaker that we heard had some very interesting points about breading corals being a more efficient way to propogate corals than fragging. The raffle was a great concept, with many chances to win many useful products. Even the lunch was good: it was next door so you didn’t have to waist time leaving the hotel.

corals and clams

All in all, it was a great show and we look forward to going back next year. However, I hope the New Jersey Reefers Society adheres to their charter stated in their pamphlet of “To provide a forum for sharing resources and information among local aquarium enthusiasts”  instead of being turned by the all mighty dollar.

Like New!

after cleaning

Stains are gone! Make the old new! Works better than new! Will take you kids to school, walk the dog, cook you dinner and floss your teeth all for three easy payments of $19.95!!!

What are we talking about here?

The hot new cleaner on the market? The can’t miss must have new product? No! We are talking about plain, boaring white vinigar. And it doesn’t even cost $19.95 or even close! Just get it at your local suppermarket for under a couple of bucks and you are ready to start cleaning your pumps.

before cleaning

Let it soak!

Please note the before and after pictures. This represents about 1 1/2 years of use as these two pumps are covered in purple and green algae. We have been extremely happy with these two SEIO M820 – they have been true workhorses. However, even though we have cleaned the interior several times, we have never really tried to do anything about the exterior, until now.

We poured 1/2 a bottle of white vinigar into a bucket, and the hottest tap water possible and let the pump soak for five hours. Although it was slow going, most of the algae came off using a scrapper, toothbrush and sponge.

Not only are the pumps more pleasing to look at, but this will help their efficiency as well. Thank you to Scott Grossclose at Aquarium Specialty ( who also distributes The Reef Aquarium DVD, A Set Up & Maintenance Guide) for this tip, as when I asked him to sell me a product, he told us to just use the old white vinegar and hot water as he feels it works as well as anything you could buy.