Fall Fest advice?

It's going to be my first Fest so I was wondering if someone could give me some in site of what to expect and any tips. I'm looking to pick up some new frags.

 

Sure! Come early and stay till the end. There are raffle prizes so be sure to get your tickets. Bring a cooler so you have a place to keep the frags. Bring money, plenty of it as there are always great corals, fish and supplies/equipment available...lots of variety and prices are usually very reasonable :0) Local reefers/GIRS members sell as well as those in the coral biz. Meet new friends and talk reefs . Speakers are always a great thing to take in also! Most of all, ENJOY!!!/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/w00t.gif

 

Cooler & cash are essentials. Get ready to talk about your tank setup with other hobbyists and any questions you may have. My favorite part is getting to meet/talk with everyone along with browsing all the different frags for sale.

Anything you buy (regardless of who its from) DIP DIP DIP before you add it to your tank! If you don't have any coral dip already, buy some while you are there!

 

Thanks guys, good tips. When you say cooler are you talking like a Coleman lunch box size? Will the frags survive for 6-7 hours? Cause I plan on staying all day and then I have an hour drive.I'll bet the frags goes fast?

 

We ship them all over the country when they are in bags for 24 hours, so 6-7 hours is no problem. Word of advice is to stay away from fresh cut corals, look for the corals that have healed and encrusted.

 

Depends on how many things you buy - You can probably fit 5-10 bags in one of those lunch box sized coolers. They will be fine for the 6-7 hours, just try not to keep the cooler sitting outside in the cold for long (hence the cooler to keep the temp as stable as possible). Sometimes I bring heat-packs with to put in the cooler if I have a long drive, but that's probably not necessary.

When you get home, float the bags in your tank for about 20 minutes to slowly bring the temp up to your tanks temp (this is the most important thing). Then acclimate to your tank water, dip for about 10 minutes & shake off the bugs/pests. Then put the frags in your tank without any of the transport or dip water.

A lot of the larger sizes and more rare frags will go first, but most sellers bring several frags of the same coral and then take any they don't sell back home with them.

 

Good stuff Lee thanks.

 

There are also a couple speakers that talk about various subject matter related to the hobby...

 

When entering how do they determine wether your a member or not? Do they have a list or something?

 

I'd make a list of things you want for your tank (helps control spending on things you don't want or can't support) makes it easier when you are shopping.

Also bring a little more cash then you think you will use. And if you have an extra bag or 2, or another plastic container that will work as sometimes the bags you get don't seal up well and you don't want it leaking everywhere /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

 

are kids $10 to enter as well?

 

Children under 18 are free accompanied by a parent.

 

I transport corals 6-7 hours on a regular basis. I got a few foam coolers from dollar tree that I have been using for months. if they break no big deal, only a buck a pop

 

Yep I'm bringing two styrofoam coolers and an ice pack. Big styro for the corals, and small styro with ice pack to stock up on some more frozen Rod's Food. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

Oh yes and money, that's an important thing to bring.

 

I second that look for good encrusted pieces.

 

Maybe the some vendors can chime in on the etiquette aspect here, but a lot of times if you're buying several pieces, or an expensive one, they are open to some haggling, or throwing in some random zoas or something they have hiding in the back. I feel it makes for a more fun buying experience myself, but maybe I'm a jerk...

 

It's a swap, haggling is part of the expierence.