First time going to Reef-A-Palooza

Peace River · Jun 19, 2019

ca1ore said:
I am going on Saturday. Not my first show (went to the first few MACNAs back before electricity), but my first palooza. I don’t linger. I have a purpose to find a few nice rock flower anemones and then I’m out.

Don't forget to stop by the R2R booth!

SeZMehK · Jun 19, 2019

Since I am going alone and it is my first time, I am going to wander about taking in all the sights. Lol.

harthag12 · Jun 19, 2019

I'll throw in that parking once at the event is pretty good, a large parking garage that is free. The convention center, garage ect are part of a "plaza" so there are a few restaurants. I went on Sunday last year & saw a few people who tried to get in to just pick up corals they had bought Saturday & left with vendors but they removed their wrist bands, they weren't allowed back in so don't take that off till you're sure you're done. It was fairly crowded around coral booths so I'll echo the don't tie up the vendors with stories, though I get why people do. Also be polite to the people working the entrance, raffles, getting vendors food, ect ect, they're volunteers.

metone914 · Jun 19, 2019

It will be my first time at a r.a.p as well. I was wondering if manufacturers offer a show price for equipment? This is common in my industry when in go to conventions. I am currently building a 180 and it would be great to save a few bucks if this is in fact the case.

Opus · Jun 19, 2019

metone914 said:
It will be my first time at a r.a.p as well. I was wondering if manufacturers offer a show price for equipment? This is common in my industry when in go to conventions. I am currently building a 180 and it would be great to save a few bucks if this is in fact the case.

I think that is very rare. They are not sellers, especially the larger companies. Some of the smaller ones that are basically mom/pop operations might. I have heard of people getting lucky and getting deals on the demo equipment on Sunday afternoon.

At Aquashella there were some online stores that had booths and they were handing out flyers with % off coupons and making deals on equipment they had brought.

harthag12 · Jun 19, 2019

Based on last year yes there will be show prices. I know EKoral had special bundle prices, I feel like Apex did though I don't 100% remember, Hannah definitely had some deals, ect ect, I didn't look super closely at every equipment vendor. Red Sea's show tank was awesome, the people manning Reef2reef's booth were very friendly. I only had one vendor who seemed like they wanted to be anywhere but there when I came to the booth which was ashame as I was very interested in the product as someone starting a new tank. I went with another vendor instead but everyone was pleasant & helpful at the show.

SeZMehK · Jun 20, 2019

Oh, dang. There is a chance to get equipment on some sort of sale?! I get the feeling this event is going to hurt my wallet. Lol.

SeZMehK · Jun 21, 2019

Would frag racks be sold at the event?

Opus · Jun 21, 2019

SeZMehK said:
Would frag racks be sold at the event?

Dirk's will definitely have them. Pet Warehouse may have them.

brian moran · Jun 21, 2019

1. You can bartar more with cash in hand.
2. There are booths selling everything you could want other than corals & fish at this RAP. I always get a large supply of Reefroids to last me about a year because local fish stores are about double what I pay here.
3. More high end corals here to buy & better to buy them in person than online, simply because you can see what they really look like.
4. Don't bring your wife or there will just be an argument about what u end up spending! lol