6th Annual CT Frag Farmer's Market 3/9/13

[fitch4]

Here is the info for this year's Frag Farmer's Market. It has become one of the biggest, if not the biggest, frag swap in the NE. With the set-up at my school, it is designed as a chance for the small scale hobbyist and big store to set-up right next to each other and sell home fragged/grown corals. There are not talks, demos, etc... just LOTS of frags FS! As in the past admission for people attending is FREE!!! Just come up and check it out.
I have expanded the event and added an additional room from last year to make space for more hobbyists who want to sell, and to try to spread the crowds out a bit (remember the masses from last year?). I already have a few of the big names signed up and a few new ones who look to be coming as well to sell their "crop." If you are interested in making a few $ selling your stuff at the FFM, let me know. The set-up is only $30 and for that I will give you a space, outlets, heated water (if you need it), and a few hundred people to shop your homegrown stuff. You must arrange with me for space to sell beforehand because the spaces fill up quickly! See you all there!
Jon

 

[Vin7250]

I want to come to this but Im quite a ways away from Storrs. How is the pricing at this event? Is it the deals you can get that attract people or just the variety of corals? Sounds great though.

 

[fitch4]

With the set-up fee so low for the sellers, and the fact that there are lots of sellers, including many hobbyists all packed in, the prices are some of the best you will see. I know the local shops do all sorts of specials for the day and if you don't like the price at one tank, take 10 steps to your right and get a better one!
If you are in CT, come up for the day, it is definitely worth it, IMO.

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

Definitely worth the trip!!! We come down all the way from Vermont (about 3-1/2 hour drive) each year if that tells you anything . The selection of corals is fantastic and the prices are very reasonable (not like the inflated Internet prices you see), lot's of super sweet corals available that you just don't see every day. Make the trip, you won't be disappointed!!!

Hey Jon, anybody selling high-ends zoas/palys this year?

 

[fitch4]

Always! I have a few of the usual suspects coming out with high end zoas and palys and I also have atleast one new guy coming up from NYC who "specializes" in them. He is coming up recommended by Steve from Manhattan Reefs, who keeps some nice stuff himself, so I am thinking he will be a nice addition to the market. 27 "vendors" and counting!
The raffle is looking good as well, lots of nice stuff coming in!

 

[JCKoenig]

I can't wait!

 

[osrascom]

++++ ON WHAT EVERYONE SAID! A great event. If there isnt a frag or colony that you want there ..you're in the wrong hobby!!

 

[firstlight10]

Bump for a spectacular event!

 

[fitch4]

The FFM is up to 38 different people signed up to sell corals already, with a month still to go. I know I keep saying this but the FFM looks to be bigger and better than last year. I'll "release" the names of the people selling in a week or two and the list of raffle items soon after. If you are available, it will definitely be worth the trip!

 

[fitch4]

Here is the long awaited FFM list! I am more or less full (I can make room for one or two more if I need to...). My appologies to everyone whose name I messed up somehow (or location is incorrect). I am putting together the raffle list this week sometime and will release that info as well. See you all there!
-Jon

Affordable Aquatics CT
Algagen FL
Anthony27 NYC
Aquadreams MA
Artreaction CT
Boston Aqua Farms MA
Chris M MA
Chriskid CT
CT Marinlife CT
E.O. Smith Coral Project CT
elmafioso52988 (Pablo) BRS
Emessier CT
Exotic Fish and Corals CT
Exotic Reef Creations MD
Fish Frenzy MA
Frank180 BRS
Gotham Aquatics NYC
Greg Hiller BRS
Hammer NH
HeadieCorals VA
Icycoral CT
Jason Foxx Parts Unknown
Jmar101786 NYC
knockOUT Aquatics LLC PA
Kwong1998 NYC
KyleinCT CT
Love the Reef BRS
Marco Rocks MA
MO~Idol (Steve) NYC
NYCPassat NYC
Oceanus MA
OzoneParkGuy NYC
Pablo NYC
Puppy Center CT
R+R Aquatics NYC
Reef Creations NYC
OSRAS RI
Shector/Bubbabobobbrain CT
SubWOOer NY
Suicideissleep CT
Swannyson CT
Tinygiant (Chris) NH
Tropic Marin MA
Upstate Corals NY
Walsh Services LLC (Custom Acryic Tanks/Cabinets) MA

 

[borderreef]

This will be my first year attending, and I'm looking forward to it. I recognize a couple of MA names. Fitch4, do you have the raffle list yet? The chance to win free stuff is always a plus!!

 

[fitch4]

Funny you ask... I was just posting it!
So me a favor and spread the word around your area. If it is free stuff you are looking for, stop and introduce yourself, I'll see what I can do for you. I have a few suprises for this year's FFM.

Here is the preliminary list for the raffle for the FFM so far. This represents only the items that I have in my hands at this time or have confirmation that they are coming. There is a somewhat large list of items that are coming in the mail still or I have yet to confirm. I will post updates in the next few days as wel get closer!

Frist off thank you to CaribSea for providing a massive amount of water for this year's FFM. I will still be mixing water to make up the few gallons I will still need but they really have supported the FFM and my project from the start and I owe them big time! They may also have sent up a bit of Purple-up. Come early it disappears FAST!!!

Also thanks to SeaChem for offering to provide Reef Dip for people to take home and use for the frags that they pick up. I will have a number of "vials" of it available that day. Grab one and be safe!

Here is the in alphabetical order...
Apogee - PAR Meter
AquaC - Remora Skimmer
Avast Marine - Media Reactor
Bob's Exotic - Gift Certificates
Boston Aqua Farms - Fragging Supplies
Brightwell - Reef Supplement Packages
Buildmy LED - LED light bar
CaribSea -Live sand and Base Rock
Coral Props -Gift Certificates
Cutivated Reef - Gift Certificates
Ecoxotic - EcoPico Tank
Eshopps - Frag Cave and Jellyfish Herd
Glass-holes - Overflow kit + Shirt
LED Group Buy - 6" Heat sink and Gift Certificate to buy LED's for it
Love the Reef - Gift Certificates
Next Reef - MR 1 Reactor Kit
NuageDesigns - Framed Reef Wall Art
OSRAS - Conference Tickets (2)
Precision Marine - Protein Skimmer
Puppy Center - Gift Certificates + ????
R+R Aquatics - Gift Certificates
Rapid LED - 24" Solderless Actinic Supplement Kit
Reef Chicks - Gift Certificate
Reef Geek - Shirt and Gift Certificate
Reef Rock - Sand and Base Rock
Rocky Mountain Frags - One BIG Gift Certificate
Rods Reef - Frozen Food Variety Packs
Sea and Reef - Designer Clown Pairs
Sea Chem - Reef Supplement Package
Totally Exotic Corals of Oregon - Gift Certificates
Tropic Marin - 200 gallon bucket Tropic Marin Bio-ACTIF System Salt , 6, Salt Water pH Tests, 6 Liquid Bio-CALCIUM Sets, 6, 6 X 5,000 Liquid Bio-CALCIUM Liquid Refill Sets, 6, Salt Water pH Tests

Wow, that was a lot of typing... did I mention there was more stuff that isn't on the list yet?
See you in a few weeks.
-Jon

 

[borderreef]

I just saw those vials of dip for the first time yesterday during my trip to THE fish store out in Framingham MA. They have a box right at the counter (good marketing on their part). Yhey look pretty cool for the person buying only one or two corals at a time over spaced out over a long period of time. Saves $$$ rather than having a bottle sitting around for months at a time (which would be my case).

 

[fitch4]

Just added Pacific East Aquaculture to the already impressive list for the Frag Farmer's this year. I am up to 50 different "vendors" - 45 selling corals. If it is corals you seek, this one is definitely worth the ride...

 

[fitch4]

I also just confrimed that I am adding:
- 2 x AquaFX 100gpd RO/DI units
- a Fathom LED fixture
- an Acan LED fixture
to add to the raffle!

 

[borderreef]

Just got back from the frag farmer's market. Very wll done Jon. Got a lot of nice frags and colonies, and the protein skimmer I won at the raffle was the icing on the cake. It's always nice to talk to people who appreciate reefing, unlike my wife and kids. Thanks for putting on such a great event, and I look forward to next year.

 

[JCKoenig]

Very happy I went, didn't break the bank and got some great frags to grow out!!