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This is an update to the old thread found here: https://www.bareefers.org/forum/threads/how-does-a-bar-frag-swap-work.17917/
We'll use this as the process of record moving forward. Most of this post explains how the swap works, best practices, and so on - but official rules are listed at the bottom and subject to change.
What is a frag swap?
The Day of the Swap - How it Works
1. Register
3. Logistics of the Swap
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OFFICIAL RULES:
We'll use this as the process of record moving forward. Most of this post explains how the swap works, best practices, and so on - but official rules are listed at the bottom and subject to change.
What is a frag swap?
- A frag swap is essentially timed coral trading. Every year BAR typically hosts two frag swaps - some are "members only" and some are open to all. Note that you can apply for membership here: https://www.bareefers.org/forum/threads/how-do-i-become-a-supporting-member.14130/
- In short, people bring corals in plastic cups which are organized onto tables in a large common area by type (SPS, Softies, etc.)
- Groups of reefers then pick corals from the tables during timed rounds.
- This is not the place to trade unhealthy/ugly coral for nice corals.
- This behavior discourages people from bringing nice corals which will end up devaluing the frag swap.
- Tip: Bring the quality of coral you would like to receive.
- Frag Corals as early as you can - ideally your frags have time to encrust before the swap.
- Corals are sensitive after being cut, having to transfer to a new tank may result in coral death.
- You need at least 3 unique frags to enter. Buying frags for use in the frag swap is perfectly acceptable! Our local fish store sponsors regularly sell premium coral frags.
- Put the coral in a CLEAR plastic container with a lid. Corals not in clear containers will not be accepted.
- The container must be labeled with:
- Your Forum Username
- Coral Name (if no name, describe the best you can)
- Any known pests in your tank
- Additional info can be shared as optional - lighting/flow conditions, for example
- Remove your frags from the tank THE MORNING BEFORE THE SWAP. The less time they spend in little cups the better.
The Day of the Swap - How it Works
1. Register
- There will be a table at the front of the venue with a couple volunteers. Stop here first.
- You'll get a nametag - write your forum name and real name both on this! It's very helpful when meeting people online for the first time.
- You'll be assigned a picking group at random. This will be your group for the rest of the day - and will also be written on your nametag.
- You'll find these tables after the registration table, there will be a regular check-in station and a "bonus" check-in statoin.
- As noted earlier - you need at least 3 unique coral frags to enter the swap.
- Many/most people bring way more! This is why frag swaps are so great - you will almost certainly leave with more corals than you came with if you're a newer member.
- Once you meet your minimum 3 species requirement, you can bring duplicates.
- The volunteers will inspect your corals, hand them off to the coral runners for placement in the right areas, and give you bonus tickets if necessary (more on this below).
- Certain corals qualify as "bonus" or "ultra" - these are rarer, desirable corals. We have a system to reward folks that bring these. The bonus and ultra lists are curated before each swap using the process here: https://www.bareefers.org/forum/threads/complete-bonus-coral-list-2026.38411/
- This is also where the lists will be posted - the day before the swap once all votes are cast.
- Here's the sheet where committee volunteers vote on submissions (and where members can submit): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...PgjItzyGfo/edit?gid=1456723506#gid=1456723506
- Bonus tickets are spent in the bonus rounds - early access rounds that occur before normal picking rotations start.
- 3x Bonus corals earn 1 Bonus ticket, and 1x Ultra coral earns 1 Ultra ticket. These tickets are provided at check-in. Try to bring bonus corals in quantities of 3 to be efficient with your ticket collection!
3. Logistics of the Swap
- As noted, the bonus rounds are first (sit these out if you didn't earn any tickets at check-in):
- TWO Ultra Rounds
- Round 1 - 3 Minutes, ONE pick / ONE ticket - this is your chance to get first crack at the one coral you want the most!
- Round 2 - 2 Minutes, multiple picks - spend the rest of your tickets
- ONE Bonus Round
- 3 minutes, multiple picks - spend all of your tickets
- TWO Ultra Rounds
- Regular rounds
- Regular picking commences after the bonus rounds - in the group order assigned at registration. Typically these rounds last 3-5 minutes initially, then the time window shortens as the swap progresses.
- The pick order ascends, the last group gets to go twice, then the order descends - try to and be as fair as possible.
- e.g. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1, repeat.
- Listen for your group to be called and line up outside the picking area!
- Listen for when your time is up also - you'll be ushered out of the picking area right on time.
- All of the above will be coordinated by the caller on a loudspeaker - all you really have to do is listen and pay attention.
- Typically at some point we will "call it" and open up a final, free-for-all picking round where you can just grab whatever you want. This all depends on the size of the swap, number of people in attendance, and so on.
- Food and drinks are provided!
- You're welcome to bring friends and family - just be sure to RSVP so we know how many attendees to plan for.
- Be sure to DIP YOUR CORALS when you get home. We cannot guarantee everyone's corals are pest-free.
- There are occasionally vendors selling stuff - support them! You can even buy your swap entries if needed.
- There's a freebie table - check it out!
- There's a DBTC table - you can learn more about the DBTC program here: https://www.bareefers.org/forum/threads/dbtc-official-rules-and-best-practices-2025-update.39208/
- Raffle tickets are usually for sale at registration - we raffle off some good stuff sometimes, it occurs at the end of the swap.
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OFFICIAL RULES:
- Banned/Ineligible Corals
- Minimum of 2 polyps per frag for Zoas.
- Containers MUST BE LABELED with your forum name and coral name at a minimum.
- Containers MUST BE CLEAR
- Containers MUST BE LABELED WITH KNOWN PESTS
- Visible pests are NOT ALLOWED - including aiptasia
- Please do not bring any corals to the swap if you've had ich/velvet in the last 3 months
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