Need Champions and Ideas to make use of the BAR funds

[Slingfox]

This has come up before. The thought was based on how inexpensive these are compared to other equipment. Not to mention their fragile nature. They are likely something best left for members to purchase at around $40,or so.


Alternatively I've loaned mine out on occasion when someone had wanted to use one. It's very hard to tell but if you haven't actually had your hands on one of these or seen once in person let's say they are a heck of alot bigger than you would think they are lol.


I'm not against this just not sure if can see the merit of buying something thats around the same as a middle teir coral. With its fragile nature. Yes we could likely buy cases for them adding to the cost.

I don't think buying or storing them would be a major issue. So overall I'm pretty neutral. There would be merit to the club having a few of these provided we had cases and beakers to go with them. I'm still not fully sold on it not being something people should just buy or borrow given price compared to say par meters or band saws.

I've only used mine once or twice cause the size makes it awkward to use in the tank. The amount of water needed to test it would also likely trigger the ato to go off if you were to scoop out enough water to use a xxl beaker to do the test. If it's for saltwater mixing barrel or bucket it wouldn't be a issue. Just to awkward and larger for frequent use other than checking your other salinity measuring methods. Only my opinion here based on why I rarely ever use mine.

Anyone wanting to try one out I don't mind lending mine out one reefer to another provided you break it you be willing to replace it.

I have no strong feelings either way but the club has fish traps and acclimation boxes which are in a similar price range. The like I posted is the hydrometer + glass column combo which is much easier to use than in-tank and only requires 400ml of saltwater. I personally don’t like to use hydrometers for weekly testing but a reliable hydrometer is very useful for periodic calibration of refractometers and salinity probes.

 

[Coral reefer]

Keep in mind. People come and go. Someone willing to house equipment today may not equal someone else wanting to do the same tomorrow.
As an example. I have had a club drag tank sitting around for years. I will be moving soon. What should we do with it? For real, I’d like to hear people’s opinions on this since I honestly don’t know what to do with it

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

Keep in mind. People come and go. Someone willing to house equipment today may not equal someone else wanting to do the same tomorrow.
As an example. I have had a club drag tank sitting around for years. I will be moving soon. What should we do with it? For real, I’d like to hear people’s opinions on this since I honestly don’t know what to do with it

What size is the frag tank? I might be able to house it if it’s not too big.

Also, besides for the separate DBTC threads for each equipment, do we have an inventory sheet of everything that the club owns?

 

[spuri87]

What size is the frag tank? I might be able to house it if it’s not too big.

Also, besides for the separate DBTC threads for each equipment, do we have an inventory sheet of everything that the club owns?

I am assuming it must be this list: https://barcode.bareefers.org/bc/equipment

 

[spuri87]

Keep in mind. People come and go. Someone willing to house equipment today may not equal someone else wanting to do the same tomorrow.

we do need a rented room (or 3) for old stuff as well as new.. Yes there will be challenges, but no worse than what we have today.

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

I am assuming it must be this list: https://barcode.bareefers.org/bc/equipment

Wow cool, never knew this existed lol

 

[Coral reefer]

we do need a rented room (or 3) for old stuff as well as new.. Yes there will be challenges, but no worse than what we have today.

That’s a not insignificant cost and a hassle. Not saying you are wrong. I wouldn’t think it’s the best use of money personally.

 

[Bruce Spiegelman]

I'm probably sounding like the old man screaming "Get off my lawn," but I have to say I hate how this thread is so centered on what the club can do for us vs what the club can do for others and the hobby. Just my two cents.

 

[Bruce Spiegelman]

Also, I am once again (as of three or four years ago, managing a building in Walnut Creek. I can store anything here, but can't promise to be here more than three more years. I know I'll be here at least that long.

 

[spuri87]

I'm probably sounding like the old man screaming "Get off my lawn," but I have to say I hate how this thread is so centered on what the club can do for us vs what the club can do for others and the hobby. Just my two cents.

Your thoughts are really important and welcomed Bruce, don’t think they are being ignored! BAR has enough money to support all of these causes including yours, but over the years we hvnt found ways to utilize those funds.. this thread is welcoming all ideas even if they are going to make a difference to ONE reefer’s life.. yes, we ought to give back to the community and spread the word about ethical practices, but if we can support a few reefers start/continue their reefing journey, that’s a win for the club in my opinion. This hobby can be taxing, mentally, physically and most importantly economically.. let’s alleviate some of the pains that most of us experience at some point of our reefing journey.

Also, I am once again (as of three or four years ago, managing a building in Walnut Creek. I can store anything here, but can't promise to be here more than three more years. I know I'll be here at least that long.

This is fantastic, thanks much for the offer. I can host some stuff too, I am sure a lot of us have enough room to store some of this stuff, and will be open to idea of storing these temporarily. We will come up with some ideas in next BOD meeting hopefully.

 

[grizfyrfyter]

I like the idea of club sponsored captive breeding.

I know some members have/are growing things like nudis and cardinal fish. I would support the club sending some $ towards these programs if they benefit the members in need and support the morals of the club.

I don't know how this could be implemented or decided on, just brainstorming.

 

[spuri87]

I like the idea of club sponsored captive breeding.

I know some members have/are growing things like nudis and cardinal fish. I would support the club sending some $ towards these programs if they benefit the members in need and support the morals of the club.

I don't know how this could be implemented or decided on, just brainstorming.

yeah I had that in the original list of ideas, but Tu mentioned there hasnt been a lot of interest in learning how to breed nudis.. I would love for the folks to actually learn AND more importantly EARN some money while practicing captive breeding, and if BAR can somehow support the cause, nothing better than that! Like you said, it needs a lot of brainstorming.. we need a champion to propose and drive this home.. somebody like @Chrism1330 (experience breeding Nudis), @SupraSaltyReefer (Nudis again) or @gmdcdvm (experience breeding Cardinals) (doesnt mean they have to do it themselves)

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

yeah I had that in the original list of ideas, but Tu mentioned there hasnt been a lot of interest in learning how to breed nudis.. I would love for the folks to actually learn AND more importantly EARN some money while practicing captive breeding, and if BAR can somehow support the cause, nothing better than that! Like you said, it needs a lot of brainstorming.. we need a champion to propose and drive this home.. somebody like @Chrism1330 (experience breeding Nudis), @SupraSaltyReefer (Nudis again) or @gmdcdvm (experience breeding Cardinals) (doesnt mean they have to do it themselves)

Regarding breeding Berghias, I don't think using club funds is needed. It's very low entry cost and low maintenance project. The most expensive part is getting a pair of adult Berghia to start mating which I sell discounted to BAR supporting members for $15 each. The more challenging part is having enough aiptasia to feed the Berghia, which I don't think using club funds to buy aiptasia is money well spent either lol.

I also would not want to use club funds to breed Berghia either, because that would restrict me from selling to outsiders at a higher cost and more profit.

 

[spuri87]

I also would not want to use club funds to breed Berghia either, because that would restrict me from selling to outsiders at a higher cost and more profit.

That's the whole point I was trying to put across.. you are free to earn money after supporting the members, you are free to sell them for profit.. BAR is supporting the cause by inspiring folks to captive breed.. Supporting members profit by getting a discounted prices, volunteer profits by selling it outside and BAR profits by supporting the mission.. Win-Win-Win.

The more challenging part is having enough aiptasia to feed the Berghia, which I don't think using club funds to buy aiptasia is money well spent either lol.

Yeah this is the challenging part, and I am sure drivers of this initiative can figure out something, IF we choose to support this cause.

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

That's the whole point I was trying to put across.. you are free to earn money after supporting the members, you are free to sell them for profit.. BAR is supporting the cause by inspiring folks to captive breed.. Supporting members profit by getting a discounted prices, volunteer profits by selling it outside and BAR profits by supporting the mission.. Win-Win-Win.


Yeah this is the challenging part, and I am sure drivers of this initiative can figure out something.

I'm all for accepting free money, but I'm not sure using non-profit funds to fund a project that will generate profit goes against any non-profit policies.

 

[spuri87]

I'm all for accepting free money, but I'm not sure using non-profit funds to fund a project that will generate profit goes against any non-profit policies.

I understand that sentiment.. IMO, if you are supporting the BAR members first and then selling them for profit, that's the least you can get for taking all the pain to breed for the entire club.. We may have to give them for free to supporting members to show the value, but once that condition is satisfied, the volunteer should be free to sell them for whatever.

Here is an example on how a driver/champion can propose this:

• Need '$abc' every 'd' months to support breeding Nudis/Cardinals/Clowns/whatever.
• Out of the total 'x' produced livestock, Support the club by providing 50% (or whatever %) captive bred livestock to the members at a discounted price/free.
• Sell the remaining % for a profit to keep supporting the cause.

If we need members to support this initiative, we need to give them a reason to participate. This should be made fun (while staying ethical), even if that means, people doing it as a side-project for some bread.

 

[MichaelB]

The downfall with most breeding Berghia always seems to be lack of aptasia eventually. This eventually hits those who do it commercially not even counting the guy who occasional sells a few here and there.

I agree using club funds to support something thats for profit would be a major no.

I think we should offer scholarships to students even if it's only 1-2 for $300-500,a year.

There are also likely somethings we can support that would further education for those intrested in the hobby. We support the things at high tides maybe more events like that as well. There are options and just because the club has money doesn't mean the goal should be just to spend it without a justifiable reason as in a worthy cause thats practically and makes sense.

We also need to ensure we always have a buffer to keep the club operational. Good ideas thus far keep.them coming.

 

[grizfyrfyter]

What about mixing stations for emergency water?

This was something I kept out of habit and it was used by local reefers during tank emergencies or hospital tank setup. I kept ~50g of mixed water and ~50g of rodi water on hand most of the time. I only asked for salt to replenish what's used.

These are a significant hardware cost and are dependent on members having room for it but might be worth setting up a handful in strategic locations around the bay?

 

[spuri87]

I think we should offer scholarships to students even if it's only 1-2 for $300-500,a year

Love this idea, yep let's do that.

I agree using club funds to support something thats for profit would be a major no.

even if the funds are supporting the BAR members first (read my comment above)? I think this is something we need to be a little flexible at as a club.. Honestly, we are NOT running the nation.. its just a club - a Reefing club that's just supposed to be a hobby.. lets make it fun, and keep it fun.. lets educate new members.. let's absorb and radiate.. Let's make changes, let's try new things.. If it doesnt work, let's admit that it didnt work and try another thing.. Let's innovate.. Let's not look at the past and say the idea wasn't accepted, let's try to make the idea adaptable in near future.

Nothing against you @MichaelB, you are a very valuable member of the forum and always supportive of new ideas, just stating my feelings out loud there. Also just want to add that these thoughts are not just for the above idea of breeding livestock and sharing profit - I understand it's subjective and I appreciate different point of views. I was just talking in general.

 

[iani]

Think about what you can do to further the clubs mission and not about what the club can do for you.