Frag Swap/saltwater fish show

Maci isn't really a swap but a retail outlet show. Unless they allow hobbiests at a later date. I think details are still being worked out. Their might be a Rockford or Milwaukee one before that.
 
Do you need to be a member to go to the CMAS swap?

Are they even worth going to? I love the selection at MCF but I would assume the swaps have some cool, rare frags. I'm really looking for some really awesome Zoas.
 
Douggie-Style said:
Do you need to be a member to go to the CMAS swap?

Are they even worth going to? I love the selection at MCF but I would assume the swaps have some cool, rare frags. I'm really looking for some really awesome Zoas.
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No, but if your a paid member you get in free. I don't know of they are going to have any swaps this year due to putting MACI on. Maybe end of year 2012.

I find them to be over crowded, over priced, location is far out of the way, and corals are nothing really special. There are a few that are there that can have some nice stuff, otherwise it's the same stuff over and over again. The swaps will need to be revamped before I go again.

Your better sticking with a premo retailer like MCF (better prices too) or scouting what your looking for online or directly though hobbists here.

My 2 cents. :panda:
 
There are a lot of other fantastic local stores besides MCF. Beyond the Reef has been slowly increasing their selection of corals and even been fragging pieces from their display tank to sell. Exotic Aquatics out in the NW suburbs constantly has a very generous selection of beautiful frags regularly selling for $10. Of course Aqua Pros has rave reviews for generous pricing on most stuff. These are just a few examples, going retail isnt so bad if you are careful to know what prices you are looking to spend or willing to pay for something you "must have"
 
Until CMAS starts treating their events as something other than a large moneymaking raffle (CMAS IS NOT A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION) they are going to remain stagnant with a ton of people just going to hopefully win a prize. Hopefully M.A.C.I. will be something different.

At this point, like Poidog said you are going to save time and money finding one or 2 people who bring higher end stuff into the swaps and just meeting with them directly.

Like Fishbeard said, with more and more retail shops carrying frags instead of just colonies it could be beneficial to form a good relationship with them as well.
 
+1 poidog,fishbeard,skullv.
The swap is way to far from the city. And u usually only the common stuff for sale. U can probably find better stuff from reefers locally and like they said sum lfs r selling sum nice frags. Like mcf or if u want in the city then new fish has frags all the time.
 
jcarlilesiu said:
Doesn't CMAS have monthly meetings with various guest speakers and seminars?
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Sometimes, but they are always overshadowed by a raffle. I purchased an item recently from one of the original CMAS members (his wife as well) who was ashamed of what CMAS has become. They originally formed the club with a focus on education and helping others. In his mind the focus has shifted entirely to a raffle.
 
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