Trying to understand!!

Dre59

Dre59

Z&P Addict from IL
I don't want to disrespect no one but trying to understand AZ ways...

As some of you know, I'm from Chicago and things there are done way different than here..

One of the few things I noticed

Not that many FS threads of corals unless someone is getting out.. Which all of sudden I go to this PROP auction and BAM!!! Frags that make your mouth drop

I don't understand why its done this way :confused: Is it to get more money on the frag or I'm I missing something???

Just dont understand why the love is not being spread

How come I don't see a section for PIF things?
 
It's just a community thing, I think. Even at FRAG meetings (the one I went to last) there were lots of corals direct for sale by club members. The deals are killer, even when an auction gets hot I never see people pay retail store prices.
 
You may not see the FS threads, but if you post that you're looking for something you'll usually get a good amount of responses
 
Flag town

Flag town

I can tell you we have a pretty amazing group of people in Flag. I would never have built a 200 gal tank if it weren't for the folks up here 'spreading the love/corals'. There are people up here setting up tanks purely due to the active/affordable fragging that's going on.
I was given a great majority of my corals and therefor feel that not only can I not charge others up here for my frags. I'm now helping others get tanks going. Additionally, I want to obtain some outside corals that those who gave me some don't have so that I can return the favor.
Certainly not saying free corals is the only way to go. I am saying its led to some pretty cool dynamics up here.
 
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There is a whole world outside of Reef Central. Alot of the coral I have acquired has been through local reefers on CL. There is some nice stuff that pops up here once and awhile, but I view RC as a source of info and not a marketplace. Try CL, there is always some good coral for sale.
 
I personally had been offered many starter corals in the beginning, and have paid it forward to others just starting. However, I think there are many different reasons to consider.
1) For starters, I don't think there are many in this community that are looking to get rich off of selling corals. I think most are trying to make enough to keep buying new corals and spreading the love down the line. Also, on the flip of it, I think some feel some of the garage coral farmers are not always looking out for community gains, and selling too much on the forum could classify one in this category.
2) I think we also like to support our LFSs. After every FRAG or PROP meet, I've always purchased something immediately afterward. (Every single time!)
3) Remember that 10% of the proceeds go toward PROP to bring more into AZ (but if you ask me, to build our community with these events is neat on its own).
4) At auctions, you can't pull back the sale from people who are not ready for maintaining the corals they are purchasing. This is not a win for anyone down the line. Which brings me to...
5) With my closer "reef" friends, we have many of the same corals because we trade openly. These have been friendships for years that we know each others (and our own) tank knowledge.
6) And for the laugh (but kinda serious)... I'm the guy that actually likes clove polyps, GSP, mushrooms, and plain palys.... I'm not sure if there's many that actually WANT to trade with me?

Also, with a FRAG or PROP auction every 4 weeks, I think it sets a specific date do to it all at once... rather than trying to arrange visits and meet-ups.

And finally, I think there's been a lot of people who have come and go (quickly). It's nice to make friends for the long-haul.

Anyway, I hope this may explain some things. I didn't take it the wrong way, and I know you didn't mean it to come off any other way. It actually made me think about it a little more, and I can't speak for everyone, I just wrote what came to mind (so don't strangle me if I over spoke).. Anyway, I'll trade with ya! :)
 
6-7 years ago we would just give out frags to each other that asked but the frag auction did kill alot of it. Im sure there is still some straight out trading and giving. Probably have to ask around some though.
 
I always figured it was because people wanted to support FRAG and saved their stuff for the meetings. Even though it's not a very formal organization (no secret handshakes or fezzes) it's still a club. I just figured that was the place to sell. For those getting out they are done so don't wait for a meeting.
 
Have you been to a FRAG meet instead of the auction yet? My tank goes thru waves (pun intended) where I can grow a bunch of stuff including some SPS, then other times when maintenance drops a little and some things die off. So I personally dont like to spend too much. I have been to a couple auctions and you are right, some amazing things to be seen!!
Have you been to a FRAG meeting? They fall on the months between the auctions and I find those to be great to find some amazing corals! Next month will be a meeting, and I will probably plan to go since my tank is on another up swing! Hope to see you there....
 
:) I like your thinkin'

water_buffalo_hat.jpg
 
Don't worry Dre, I'll have a bunch of stuff for sale in a couple of months :wave:

On a side note... It's nice to see a bit less FS thread though, I remember there was a moment when the majority of the thread were FS.... It'd be nicer just to see members posting pics of their tanks / corals and discussions
 
Kataro said:
Don't worry Dre, I'll have a bunch of stuff for sale in a couple of months :wave:

On a side note... It's nice to see a bit less FS thread though, I remember there was a moment when the majority of the thread were FS.... It'd be nicer just to see members posting pics of their tanks / corals and discussions
Click to expand...

Yes I remember one time every post on the first page was a sale thread except the stickies. I think a few things that have changed are the other sites that promotes selling in Arizona of frags and equipment.

Personally I would like to think of the AZ FRAG group as an informative and educational group of reefers. And I don't really feel that way when I see almost all the threads about selling.

Plus yes people do save up their frags for the meetings because it is convenient for everyone to meet and trade in person, than to have to schedule a bunch of individual pick ups for each coral at your house.
 
Plus who would want to wear their cool fez to meet someone in the qt parking lot. That would be weird. I mean weirder than some seeing us carry around cups/bags of water with rocks in them.
 
The other patrons of Pranksters must think we're insane. I believe I saw a non-reefer show up mid-auction to the back and the look as they tried to figure out what we were doing was priceless.

The swaps at meetings are especially convenient in Phoenix because of how BIG the city is (and all the surrounding burbs)
 
Yeah everyone looks at us funny carrying in cups and coolers like we are smuggling. At least the waitresses don't give us weird looks anymore. I remember one of the waitresses look at some of us like we were worse than the d & der's at one point. I think the hats will solve that though.
 
All forums are a great research tool but also serve as a mini CL.. I would rather meet members from here than on CL. I think the wife didn’t like holding the shotgun in the other room when people came over from CL…lol!! She also loves this hobby as much as I do which is a PLUS

But I have been to one meeting and one auction.. I do see how this can be more convenient for many members just to meet at one place vs a no show. This is why many members in Chicago take paypal to hold corals.. The funny thing as I did post LF for corals and only got 3 PM’s, which I was hoping for my PM box to get full… But from the looks of it we have a grace period here to get ready and save up cash. Which in some ways it’s good!!

I love to support our LFS for sure and I have my favorite that I go to every week just to talk or get water even though I have my own RO/DI unit. My wife says I’m crazy!! Now for those garage coral farmers, you need them in the community also to bring the candy at affordable prices vs you’re online and LFS

That is awesome that 10% goes to fund PROP for more corals.. But does anyone have the list on what has been purchased? Do they also accept donations of certain high end frags or cash? I would love to help!!

Overall, I just want to enjoy this hobby and spread the coral love with everyone without pest…LOL!!
I will like to meet everyone someday and help build AZ more

Dre
 
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