This year will be my first MACNA and I have a few questions. Are the corals there typically less expensive than at the local LFS? Also, are there more SPS, LPS, or softies there? Do the coral vendors have bags that they put the corals in when they sell them to you, just like at the LFS? Also, are the fish from exibitors like ORA and Proaquatix for sale?
Sorry for sounding so much like a noob,
JeffReefs
I have never been to a MACNA but from what I see in Videos it is Typically Very High End Stuff meaning your LFS probably does not have that stuff at all so it is hard to compare prices.
You will see Crazy Stuff though. At the Last Reef-A-Palooza a Single Mushroom Polyp Sold for $10,000
So is $10,000 more than your LFS Price for a Mushroom Polyp, yes, but LFS's do not have Premium Bounce Mushrooms (Unless you live by WWC LOL) so you cannot compare the two.
MACNA is like a Giant Frag Swap and Trade Show Combined and at Regular Frag Swaps Frags are Typically Half the Price of LFS's at the Minimum.
I have seen Frags at the LFS for $50 to $60 and the same Frag at Frag Swaps I have gotten for $10 to $20
I know that is not the answer you are looking for but it is the best I can give you since I have never been to a MACNA or Large Reefing Event in Person (I have been to a Zillion Frag Swaps and LFS's though).
It is not going to be all Crazy Stuff like that though.
I am sure you will find Rastas, Sunset Monti's, Red Planets, etc. for for Much Less than LFS's Charge.
The Day I went to my First Frag Swap was also the Day I stopped going to LFS's because everything was soooo much Nicer, Rarer, and Cheaper than the LFS.
I wish I was going to MACNA
You are Incredibly Lucky and Will Have an Awesome Time
I would go on YouTube and check out some Old MACNA Videos to get an Idea of what they will have (They will have everything though - SPS, LPS, Softies).
