Going to my 1st frag swap! Help!!!

[GingerSparkles]

Hi everyone! I thought I'd finally stop lurking & join in!:behindsofa: I caught reefer madness in April so I'm quite new to all this. The end of this month is my 1st frag swap & I'm a little anxious. I could use some advice on how to go about choosing without getting overwhelmed. Only having a few minutes to pick seems daunting! I'm into zoas & palys. I'm taking enough to get a bonus round ticket so I'm excited I could get something amazing! But I'm really just excited to get new corals for my garden! If any of you pros out there have any tips on how to pick, I'd really appreciate it!:bigsmile:

I'm also a bit concerned about coming home with hitchhikers. I don't want to put in anything that will kill my baby reef tank. I've heard about nudibranchs & sundial snails, & some local reefers have warned me about other bad snails & predators. Is there a good database to look at? And are there good hitchhikers? Is it best to try & identify whether its good or bad if I get a hitchhiker? Or do you recommend just dipping everything? Are there certain things that I'll need to physically pick off? And have you found a dip recipe that you like the best? Sorry if I'm asking too many questions! I greatly appreciate the time & effort that you guys put into reading/answering my questions! I love the site & am glad to be apart of it!

 

[larryl]

Always dip before you put any frags in your tank.

 

[Clearwater]

Dipping is key. I would ask the person you are buying from what the conditions are that they grow them under. Flow. Light. Alk. Cal. You will have more success in growing them if you find out a little about them. Good luck. And don't forget to DIP.

 

[glb]

Hi everyone! I thought I'd finally stop lurking & join in!:behindsofa: I caught reefer madness in April so I'm quite new to all this. The end of this month is my 1st frag swap & I'm a little anxious. I could use some advice on how to go about choosing without getting overwhelmed. Only having a few minutes to pick seems daunting! I'm into zoas & palys. I'm taking enough to get a bonus round ticket so I'm excited I could get something amazing! But I'm really just excited to get new corals for my garden! If any of you pros out there have any tips on how to pick, I'd really appreciate it!:bigsmile:

I'm also a bit concerned about coming home with hitchhikers. I don't want to put in anything that will kill my baby reef tank. I've heard about nudibranchs & sundial snails, & some local reefers have warned me about other bad snails & predators. Is there a good database to look at? And are there good hitchhikers? Is it best to try & identify whether its good or bad if I get a hitchhiker? Or do you recommend just dipping everything? Are there certain things that I'll need to physically pick off? And have you found a dip recipe that you like the best? Sorry if I'm asking too many questions! I greatly appreciate the time & effort that you guys put into reading/answering my questions! I love the site & am glad to be apart of it!

There's no such thing as asking too many questions! There is a critter link on lionfishlair.com called 'hitchhiker's guide to your aquarium. I don't know how to embed the link on this post but it's a great reference!

 

[davejep]

http://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhiker/hitchhiker.shtml

 

[johnanddawn]

Frag swap basics:
Yes dip - not that people are purposely spreading diseases and hitchikers but maybe unknowing that they have them, revive or any of the iodine based dips are fine
If you see bubble algae, aptasia or any other unwanted hitchker on any frags don't buy anything from them
Buy what you like - don't buy hype or name, if you like it - it doesn't need a cool name
Look for growth on the plug - don't buy fresh cut frags, look for the superglue, if there is more glue then coral or if the plug is clean white, don't buy it
Ask them to turn on the white lights, many of the vendors there will just have their blue LEDs on and that's fine but its nice to compare the look both ways before you buy
Photo albums - many swappers will have pictures of their tanks and photo books for you to look at - you will be able to tell the chopshopers from the true reefers from their tank pics
Meet and greet - reefers love to talk reef, that's why these forums are so popular. You can learn a lot talking to the vendors and others about their systems
Bring a cooler - buy healthy frags and keep them healthy
Many wait till late in the day to buy thinking they'll get a deal, this works with the reefers who would rather sell cheap then bring home but not with all, only some stuff gets cheap at the end of the day, so again just buy what you like, don't wait if you want it buy it - if not, don't. End of the day prices can be lower but not neccessarily a deal
Have fun - I love swaps

 

[jdl513]

Generally agree with the above:

I would bring a cooler, but leave it in your car if the weather is not too hot or cold.
The frags will be better off lying motionless in the dark in your vehicle then being carried around all day.

I tend to stay away from fresh cut frags, but I do make exceptions if the deal is right.

Will also add that some sellers will display their items under lighting with a lot of blue to make them pop.
Ask them to shift the lighting to closer to what you keep to have a better idea what it will look like when you get it home.
You don't want buyers remorse when that super duper rainbow deluxe LE aussie acan ends up looking like a regular old acan.

 

[pam0630]

what type of dip do you use for your new corals?????

ive never dipped my corals....again i would buy what i like and not worry about the big names......im heading to the Carolina Aquarium Expo next sat in Columbia,SC...i hear its a great expo.....will be my first time going to one of these events.......i read that someone said to put the cooler in the car and just put frags out there instead of sloshing around all day.....if too hot out, do you bring a ice pack...if too cool then what......

 

[stigball]

Frag swap basics:
Yes dip - not that people are purposely spreading diseases and hitchikers but maybe unknowing that they have them, revive or any of the iodine based dips are fine
If you see bubble algae, aptasia or any other unwanted hitchker on any frags don't buy anything from them
Buy what you like - don't buy hype or name, if you like it - it doesn't need a cool name
Look for growth on the plug - don't buy fresh cut frags, look for the superglue, if there is more glue then coral or if the plug is clean white, don't buy it
Ask them to turn on the white lights, many of the vendors there will just have their blue LEDs on and that's fine but its nice to compare the look both ways before you buy
Photo albums - many swappers will have pictures of their tanks and photo books for you to look at - you will be able to tell the chopshopers from the true reefers from their tank pics
Meet and greet - reefers love to talk reef, that's why these forums are so popular. You can learn a lot talking to the vendors and others about their systems
Bring a cooler - buy healthy frags and keep them healthy
Many wait till late in the day to buy thinking they'll get a deal, this works with the reefers who would rather sell cheap then bring home but not with all, only some stuff gets cheap at the end of the day, so again just buy what you like, don't wait if you want it buy it - if not, don't. End of the day prices can be lower but not neccessarily a deal
Have fun - I love swaps

Revive or any of the iodine based dips...!

 

[jdl513]

If it is too hot or cold I would plan to carry a small cooler with me.
Better to keep the temperature moderate and deal with some movement.
You can do the ice/heat pack but that can be tough figure out how much of those to use.

As for dip there are several on the market that are helpful, but using a dip is not assurance that all pests have been eliminated.
I have used Coral Rx Pro and Iodine based dips.
There is usually a vendor at a swap who will offer bottles or single dose vials.
Check the expiration date as dips do have a shelf life.