CT Frag Farmer's Market 3/5/16 - Page 3

Tweaked · 02/29/2016, 09:01 AM

Can't wait!! This is worth the drive from states over, trust me!! Room after room of insanity, and the prizes - just wow!

fitch4 · 02/29/2016, 04:09 PM

I've gotten a ton of emails and PM"s with questions about the FFM, so I decided to put together the FFM FAQ list. Here it goes:

Frag Farmer's Market FAQ

Why go to the FFM?
It is the single biggest aggregation of coral sellers you will ever see. The FFM does have some dry goods vendors as well but that is not included in the 60+ sellers, those are ALL coral sellers. If you are looking for frags, or just want to hang out and talk reefs with some of the best growers in the area, you want the FFM. There are not speakers, or anything like that, it is coral, coral and more coral. You will find everything from the basic “weed” species to the coral that you have never heard of, or only seen on the internet.

How do I get tickets?
There are no advanced ticket sales for the FFM. Admission is $5 at the door and no one will be turned away. Spouses and children under 12 are free at the FFM, so bring the crew along. Doors open to the public at 11am and close at 5pm.

What should I bring?
Most people will bring along a cooler of some sort to hold their corals in for the day. Other than that, you don’t need much. I always recommend bringing about 2-3X the money that you think you will spend. I have never heard of anyone who said “I brought too much money.” The FFM only happens once a year and it brings together the best coral vendors and hobbyists from all over the country. You will find what you are looking for and then three other things you can’t leave without!

Can I sell coral at the FFM?
There are 60+ vendors at the FFM, all of whom signed up far in advance, and made a donation to the school project to reserve a space. In fairness to them, there will not be spaces provided for attendees to sell. If you are interested in selling next year, please get in touch with me at swansonjl@hotmail.com and I will add you to the contact list.

Where does all the money go?
The FFM is the main fundraiser for the E.O. Smith Coral project, which has been up and running for 10+ years now. I house 800+ gallons of coral growing systems at the school and involve students in the project in a number of ways. The admissions, and raffle proceeds, all go to help run the project. It gives me the ability to buy corals that students want to work with, and equipment that they need to carry out their experiments. With the success of the FFM over the past few years, I have also started giving out scholarships to graduating students who have shown interest in marine/conservation related fields. Last year I gave $500 to two graduating seniors and am hoping to do more this year!

How does the raffle work?
The main raffle will be pulled at 4pm, just before the market closes. Raffle tickets are available from a few people walking around during the day with the blue FFM shirts on, or from me in room 107. The tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5 or 25 for $20.
I have also started an “Easy Raffle List” for people to sign up for on the computer in my room, or on the laptops by the entrance. You put in your information and get a number. Rather than write all of your info on all of your tickets (which is a PAIN!), you just put your number. If you are not there when you win, no worries, I can get it touch with you!

Do I have to be present to win?
For most items, no. I will ship any item that it is feasible to ship. Items that cannot be shipped, will be labeled with a “No Ship” tag. If I can’t ship it and you live “close” we can work something out to get the item to you. If you are not sure, stop and see me and we can figure something out. The week after the FFM, I spend a fair amount of time packing and mailing things to people. As an attendee to other shows, I there have been a ton of raffles that I didn’t enter because I wasn’t going to be there to win. If you find something you really want, buy some tickets, throw em in and I will do my best to get it to you.

If you have any other questions, just shoot me a PM, or an email and I will do what I can to help you out!

Thanks-
Jon

fitch4 · 02/29/2016, 05:34 PM

Just got a box from Jon from Boston Aqua Farms...

Boston Aqua Farms is sponsoring the fragging demos that will be running all day during the FFM by providing all the fragging materials that will be used. Demos will be done by fragging wizards Greg Hiller, Justin Credible and Kyle Martin from Pacific East Aquaculture. Best of all, they are FREE!

fitch4 · 02/29/2016, 05:47 PM

People have been having a tough time making reservations at the Best Western in Mansfield. I just called and spoke to them. If you ask for Paul he will hook you up with the FFM rate if you want to stay the night Friday.

fitch4 · 03/01/2016, 11:56 AM

I just picked up a package from the office from Ben with Building an Obsession. He donated of one his frag transport systems for the raffle again this year.

I got a peek at one of them in last year's raffle and they sweet systems. The racks in this one are adjustable height and the holes have "locks" in them so the plugs cannot come out in transport. Very cool item for someone to take home!

fitch4 · 03/02/2016, 03:48 PM

Okay, more raffle goodness...

Thanks to Terrence over at Neptune Systems for the hookup on this one.

fitch4 · 03/02/2016, 05:30 PM

Frag Farmer's Market T-minus 2 days.
-Doors open at 11am this Saturday (March 5th)
-Fragging Demos every 1/2 hour starting at 12pm by Greg Hiller, Justin Credible and Pacific East Aquaculture!
-The biggest and best raffle that the Frag Farmer's Market has ever seen.
-All that and more coral that you will see at ANY show around, with 60+ sellers including the big names - Jason Fox, Pacific East Aquaculture, Supreme Reefs, Greg Hiller, Justin Credible, Aznutty and a TON of hobbyists who have been growing out all the stock they got from last year. Just check out the CT forum for pics and lists of some of the crazy stuff the hobbyists are brining!
This is the Frag Farmer's Market not to miss...

fitch4 · 03/02/2016, 08:55 PM

Soren from Sea and Reef gave me his list of fish that he will be donating to the raffle this year:

Lightning Maroon Clownfish pair
DaVinci Clownfish grade A pair
DaVinci Clownfish grade B pair
Flurry Clownfish pair
Domino Clownfish pair
Picasso A Clownfish pair
Spotcinctus Clownfish pair
Orchid dottyback pair
Neon Dottyback pair

If you have not seen his fish they are BEAUTIFUL and 100% aquacultured, fitting nicely into the green reefing model that the FFM promotes!

fitch4 · 03/03/2016, 04:24 AM

One of the things I am most excited about adding to the raffle again this year. Gary from Champion Lighting has agreed to bring back the Box o' Crap just for the raffle. I think that it is one of the coolest ideas and I love the craziness that goes along when they release them. The Box o Crap will be part of the FFM raffle this year!

BfishLpond78 · 03/03/2016, 06:30 PM

Look at all these sweet raffle prizes!!!!

When's the last time you saw 60+ coral vendors....prizes like these...I don't know about you kids but I'm really excited!!!

Who else is excited!!

captc07 · 03/03/2016, 07:12 PM

Frost (Aznutty) sent some pics of what he is bringing to FFM:

fitch4 · 03/03/2016, 07:23 PM

Wow!!!

fitch4 · 03/04/2016, 11:02 PM

Just got back from the Frags farmers night before set up. It is amazing the stuff that is in the building already. Don't miss the Frags farmers market tomorrow!

fitch4 · 03/04/2016, 11:26 PM

How about an Ecotech Radion in the raffle this year? A nice XR30 would look good on your tank, and just for $1...

fitch4 · 03/05/2016, 04:23 AM

I don't know if anyone in your area was on the fence about the FFM this year but I was up there last night for set-ups and I have to say it is easily the best year for coral selection. Every year I see stuff that I have never seen before, but this year was AMAZING! There are so many sellers with so many corals it was scary and the prices that I had talked to people about were GREAT. If you were even considering coming out to pick up a few frags, you should definitely make the trip this year. To add to it, the raffle is the best it has ever been with an Apex jr., Ecotech Radion, multiple frag tanks, lighting fixtures, Sea and Reef Fish, a ton of corals, and a HUGE host of other things - there are no containers of fish food here for sure!
Hope to see you all out today- stop by and say "Hi" while you are there!
Jon

BfishLpond78 · 03/05/2016, 04:26 AM

Got a chance to setup early last night and walk around checking out the booths of the usual suspects setting up corals.

I've been up all night trying to figure out which corals I'm buying. Like Jon said. If you're on the fence...take the leap and make the drive. This is one for the books.

fitch4 · 03/05/2016, 11:00 PM

Just got home from FFM 2016 and it was as expected- bigger and better than last year. Next year March 11th, FFM X!

fitch4 · 03/07/2016, 10:49 AM

Just did totals for attendance and the total was up over 1000 in attendance at the FFM this year!!!

sde1500 · 03/07/2016, 05:15 PM

Awesome! I had a great time there, thanks for putting it on, and thanks for the coral!

fitch4 · 03/09/2016, 06:23 PM

Final attendance numbers for the 2016 Frag Farmer's Market 1011 attendees!
I am already in the works setting up next year's FFM, which will be on March 11th, 2017 and be the 10th New England Frag Farmer's Market. If anyone is interested in selling, I am going to be setting up the seller list pretty soon to get the ball rolling early!

02/29/2016, 09:01 AM	#51
Tweaked FUP&A Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Madison, CT Posts: 7,722	Can't wait!! This is worth the drive from states over, trust me!! Room after room of insanity, and the prizes - just wow! __________________ DSA 105 Pro, Cebu Sun-Radiums-M80 Ballasts, 4 T5's, XHO LEDs. Through Wall 55g Sump, 10g Frag and 29g Display attached, Vertex V6, 3 mp40's, Gyre, 2 mp10's, GFO, Carbon, Pellets - 10g Bar Tank

03/03/2016, 06:30 PM	#60
BfishLpond78 FUPA Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Seymour CT Posts: 5,796	Look at all these sweet raffle prizes!!!! When's the last time you saw 60+ coral vendors....prizes like these...I don't know about you kids but I'm really excited!!! Who else is excited!! __________________ FUPA!!! Current Tank Info: 150G Starfire, BK DC 200, Vertex V6, PS Kore 5th, Ecotech Waves, Controlled by Apex, Topped off by Tunze

03/04/2016, 11:02 PM	#63
fitch4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,988	Just got back from the Frags farmers night before set up. It is amazing the stuff that is in the building already. Don't miss the Frags farmers market tomorrow! __________________ 2020 New England Frag Farmer's Market March 7, 2020 E.O. Smith High School in Storrs CT Largest Single Day Coral Show in the U.S.! - 100+ Vendors! Current Tank Info: 100, 135 reefs and 150g and 800g frag tanks

03/05/2016, 04:26 AM	#66
BfishLpond78 FUPA Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Seymour CT Posts: 5,796	Got a chance to setup early last night and walk around checking out the booths of the usual suspects setting up corals. I've been up all night trying to figure out which corals I'm buying. Like Jon said. If you're on the fence...take the leap and make the drive. This is one for the books. __________________ FUPA!!! Current Tank Info: 150G Starfire, BK DC 200, Vertex V6, PS Kore 5th, Ecotech Waves, Controlled by Apex, Topped off by Tunze

03/07/2016, 05:15 PM	#69
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Awesome! I had a great time there, thanks for putting it on, and thanks for the coral! __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

02/29/2016, 04:09 PM	#52
fitch4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,988	I've gotten a ton of emails and PM"s with questions about the FFM, so I decided to put together the FFM FAQ list. Here it goes: Frag Farmer's Market FAQ Why go to the FFM? It is the single biggest aggregation of coral sellers you will ever see. The FFM does have some dry goods vendors as well but that is not included in the 60+ sellers, those are ALL coral sellers. If you are looking for frags, or just want to hang out and talk reefs with some of the best growers in the area, you want the FFM. There are not speakers, or anything like that, it is coral, coral and more coral. You will find everything from the basic “weed” species to the coral that you have never heard of, or only seen on the internet. How do I get tickets? There are no advanced ticket sales for the FFM. Admission is $5 at the door and no one will be turned away. Spouses and children under 12 are free at the FFM, so bring the crew along. Doors open to the public at 11am and close at 5pm. What should I bring? Most people will bring along a cooler of some sort to hold their corals in for the day. Other than that, you don’t need much. I always recommend bringing about 2-3X the money that you think you will spend. I have never heard of anyone who said “I brought too much money.” The FFM only happens once a year and it brings together the best coral vendors and hobbyists from all over the country. You will find what you are looking for and then three other things you can’t leave without! Can I sell coral at the FFM? There are 60+ vendors at the FFM, all of whom signed up far in advance, and made a donation to the school project to reserve a space. In fairness to them, there will not be spaces provided for attendees to sell. If you are interested in selling next year, please get in touch with me at swansonjl@hotmail.com and I will add you to the contact list. Where does all the money go? The FFM is the main fundraiser for the E.O. Smith Coral project, which has been up and running for 10+ years now. I house 800+ gallons of coral growing systems at the school and involve students in the project in a number of ways. The admissions, and raffle proceeds, all go to help run the project. It gives me the ability to buy corals that students want to work with, and equipment that they need to carry out their experiments. With the success of the FFM over the past few years, I have also started giving out scholarships to graduating students who have shown interest in marine/conservation related fields. Last year I gave $500 to two graduating seniors and am hoping to do more this year! How does the raffle work? The main raffle will be pulled at 4pm, just before the market closes. Raffle tickets are available from a few people walking around during the day with the blue FFM shirts on, or from me in room 107. The tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5 or 25 for $20. I have also started an “Easy Raffle List” for people to sign up for on the computer in my room, or on the laptops by the entrance. You put in your information and get a number. Rather than write all of your info on all of your tickets (which is a PAIN!), you just put your number. If you are not there when you win, no worries, I can get it touch with you! Do I have to be present to win? For most items, no. I will ship any item that it is feasible to ship. Items that cannot be shipped, will be labeled with a “No Ship” tag. If I can’t ship it and you live “close” we can work something out to get the item to you. If you are not sure, stop and see me and we can figure something out. The week after the FFM, I spend a fair amount of time packing and mailing things to people. As an attendee to other shows, I there have been a ton of raffles that I didn’t enter because I wasn’t going to be there to win. If you find something you really want, buy some tickets, throw em in and I will do my best to get it to you. If you have any other questions, just shoot me a PM, or an email and I will do what I can to help you out! Thanks- Jon

02/29/2016, 05:34 PM	#53
fitch4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,988	Just got a box from Jon from Boston Aqua Farms... Boston Aqua Farms is sponsoring the fragging demos that will be running all day during the FFM by providing all the fragging materials that will be used. Demos will be done by fragging wizards Greg Hiller, Justin Credible and Kyle Martin from Pacific East Aquaculture. Best of all, they are FREE!

02/29/2016, 05:47 PM	#54
fitch4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,988	People have been having a tough time making reservations at the Best Western in Mansfield. I just called and spoke to them. If you ask for Paul he will hook you up with the FFM rate if you want to stay the night Friday.

03/01/2016, 11:56 AM	#55
fitch4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,988	I just picked up a package from the office from Ben with Building an Obsession. He donated of one his frag transport systems for the raffle again this year. I got a peek at one of them in last year's raffle and they sweet systems. The racks in this one are adjustable height and the holes have "locks" in them so the plugs cannot come out in transport. Very cool item for someone to take home!

03/02/2016, 03:48 PM	#56
fitch4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,988	Okay, more raffle goodness... Thanks to Terrence over at Neptune Systems for the hookup on this one.

03/02/2016, 05:30 PM	#57
fitch4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,988	Frag Farmer's Market T-minus 2 days. -Doors open at 11am this Saturday (March 5th) -Fragging Demos every 1/2 hour starting at 12pm by Greg Hiller, Justin Credible and Pacific East Aquaculture! -The biggest and best raffle that the Frag Farmer's Market has ever seen. -All that and more coral that you will see at ANY show around, with 60+ sellers including the big names - Jason Fox, Pacific East Aquaculture, Supreme Reefs, Greg Hiller, Justin Credible, Aznutty and a TON of hobbyists who have been growing out all the stock they got from last year. Just check out the CT forum for pics and lists of some of the crazy stuff the hobbyists are brining! This is the Frag Farmer's Market not to miss...

03/02/2016, 08:55 PM	#58
fitch4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,988	Soren from Sea and Reef gave me his list of fish that he will be donating to the raffle this year: Lightning Maroon Clownfish pair DaVinci Clownfish grade A pair DaVinci Clownfish grade B pair Flurry Clownfish pair Domino Clownfish pair Picasso A Clownfish pair Spotcinctus Clownfish pair Orchid dottyback pair Neon Dottyback pair If you have not seen his fish they are BEAUTIFUL and 100% aquacultured, fitting nicely into the green reefing model that the FFM promotes!

03/03/2016, 04:24 AM	#59
fitch4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,988	One of the things I am most excited about adding to the raffle again this year. Gary from Champion Lighting has agreed to bring back the Box o' Crap just for the raffle. I think that it is one of the coolest ideas and I love the craziness that goes along when they release them. The Box o Crap will be part of the FFM raffle this year!

03/03/2016, 07:12 PM	#61
captc07 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 625	Frost (Aznutty) sent some pics of what he is bringing to FFM:

03/03/2016, 07:23 PM	#62
fitch4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,988	Wow!!!

03/04/2016, 11:26 PM	#64
fitch4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,988	How about an Ecotech Radion in the raffle this year? A nice XR30 would look good on your tank, and just for $1...

03/05/2016, 04:23 AM	#65
fitch4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,988	I don't know if anyone in your area was on the fence about the FFM this year but I was up there last night for set-ups and I have to say it is easily the best year for coral selection. Every year I see stuff that I have never seen before, but this year was AMAZING! There are so many sellers with so many corals it was scary and the prices that I had talked to people about were GREAT. If you were even considering coming out to pick up a few frags, you should definitely make the trip this year. To add to it, the raffle is the best it has ever been with an Apex jr., Ecotech Radion, multiple frag tanks, lighting fixtures, Sea and Reef Fish, a ton of corals, and a HUGE host of other things - there are no containers of fish food here for sure! Hope to see you all out today- stop by and say "Hi" while you are there! Jon

03/05/2016, 11:00 PM	#67
fitch4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,988	Just got home from FFM 2016 and it was as expected- bigger and better than last year. Next year March 11th, FFM X!

03/07/2016, 10:49 AM	#68
fitch4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,988	Just did totals for attendance and the total was up over 1000 in attendance at the FFM this year!!!

03/09/2016, 06:23 PM	#70
fitch4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,988	Final attendance numbers for the 2016 Frag Farmer's Market 1011 attendees! I am already in the works setting up next year's FFM, which will be on March 11th, 2017 and be the 10th New England Frag Farmer's Market. If anyone is interested in selling, I am going to be setting up the seller list pretty soon to get the ball rolling early!