If you are wanting to stay at the hotel, there is a block of rooms available. They are only holding them until the 20th so don't wait too long. The code is "MMC". The rate is supposed to be $94.50.
MCES is has a legendary reputation for its raffle and this year will not disappoint. In fact we have such a big raffle, we have split it into two raffles! One will start at 1:30 the other will be at 3:30.
Note that you MUST be present to win as prizes will NOT be mailed or delivered.
Raffle tickets are sold in bundles 10 for $10 or $20 for 25.
Subscribe to this hash tag to get notifications of swap updates: #mces
I don't want to leave you in total suspense, so I'll post a few of the items that will be in the raffle over the next few days... first up....
From one of our biggest supporters Inland Hobby, we have one of these in the raffle:
As seen in Reef Hobbyist Magazine! Coral fragging has just gotten easier with the ReefKeeper saw. It is made to meet the specific needs of Reef Aquarists:
- Reduced Heat Transfer Yields More Viable Frags: Heat is the enemy when cutting corals; it destroys tissue and seriously affects viability, especially with sensitive species like chalice corals. The DFS-100 ReefKeeper Saw employs a continuously cooled narrow diamond blade to dramatically reduce heat transfer to the delicate tissue when cutting. Less heat means more viable frags can become healthy colonies to swap or sell.
- Clearance to Handle Larger Specimens: Saw through materials as tall as 3 1/2" - something you can't do with cut-ff wheels, tile saws, or any other band saw. So go ahead, tackle that Tubastrea or Favites or any large specimen with confidence.
- Narrow Cutting Path: Rotary tools and tile saws plow a wide swath through your valuable stock. The narrow diamond blade of the DFS-100 ReefKeeper Saw is removing the least possible amount of material as it cuts, resulting in less waste - up to three times less!
Jim is right the Raffle at this Swap is Huge and Awesome every year.
In my opinion this is the best item in the Raffle.
I bought one of these and it is probably the best investment that I have ever made.
No Reefer should be without a Frag Saw.
Yes, some stuff (like SPS) can be cut easily with Bone Cutters but if you are a Zoanthid Nut like myself there is no easier and more efficient way to cut around Polyps than with this Saw.
If you do not already have one I would drop some Raffle Tickets on this Awesome Prize for sure!
I will have hundreds of frags on hand.
Table 6, 7 and 8 Here's a taste.Everything is 25.00 or 5 for 100.00 I recommend pm because I have already had a ton of pre order's
Ora Red Planet
Pc Rainbow
Coolers Turaki
Jason Fox Barney Acro sold out
Aussi Gold
Jason Fox Bonsai
meteor shower
Jason Fox BLUE FLAME sold out
Jason fox bling bling
Jason Fox Bushy Blue
Jason Fox Grape Juice
ora tri color
Jason Fox Mr. Yuck Acro sold out
ora joe the coral
Jason Fox Medussa's Hair sold out
ors catus coral
Yellow Tort
Jason Fox Purple Forest
ora orange digi
Cali tort
Jason Fox Purps Acro sold out
ora purple plazma sold out
TBD Mountain Dew
This is not everything if you don't see it ask cause I probably have it. Most frags are around 1" or bigger
I think as a hobbyist as long as you price them accordingly, there are still good sales potentials using the old school "bags and cooler" method. As a hobby seller, your not necessarily as worried about margins (in fact you might sell frags for less than you had into your original piece)...in theory you are trimming excess growth and raising some extra cash to bring home a couple frags. There are lots of people attending these events looking for good deals. As long as you have something to show them what they look like and they look good in the bag, I think you'd be okay. (An ipad/tablet with some nice photos would be the ideal way to show off some pics.)
I can tell you that businesses attending these swaps have the same concern...that hobbyists will out sell them due to lower pricing. Which is in part why we haven't created a separate pricing structure that differentiates hobbyists from businesses (other than half tables vs. full tables).
Besides doing presales on the forums, if I were selling as a hobbyist and didn't want to mess around with a frag tank, I would put frags in small styro or plastic containers and bring an LED strip/T5 light on a pvc stand. Put them under the LED light on the table and take the lids off. Most will open up under the lights and then people can still see what they are getting. Sell one, slap a lid on and hand it to them. Easy, breezy.... I believe @dknuckles usually uses this method at his table.
The foam cups are awesome! Really simplifies set up and break down!
I never really worry about competing w/ anybody as it is just my hobby. I often hook up people that have done favors for me such as
@jakem
,
@binford4000
,
@Reeftanker
, and Cherry Corals. So sometimes I return the karmic debt w/frags.
Table prices are fair and reasonable IMO, it will help a Reefing organization stay viable a bit longer which benefits us all.
Here's another nice item in our raffle! Donated by Kessil, an A150w LED lamp.
Kessil A150W Special Blend LED Aquarium Light Information Using the latest Dense Matrix LED technology, Kessil is drastically transforming the way LED lighting is used in the aquarium industry. Featuring an intense, point-source LED aquarium light, Kessil`s specially designed optics focus and direct light both efficiently and effectively. Not only do these long-lasting LED aquarium lights save energy, they eliminate excess heat that is characteristic of traditional broadband sources.
The Kessil A150W Special Blend, available in three variations, is a compact, versatile and radiant choice in aquarium LED lighting. The advanced thermal design of Kessil LED lights prevents them from heating up your tank and also ensures they’ll shine brightly for years to come. Kessil light is densely packed and features a high-power LED array that creates the beautiful shimmery effect of without the excessive heat and power consumption. Highlight the kaleidoscope of colors in your coral reef with Kessil LED reef lighting.
Originally Posted by dlhirst
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