CFM?
- Thread starter Srt4eric
- Start date
The Friday VIP access is new as far as I know. I think it’s Steve’s attempt to spread out the time for the market to be open since there are restrictions on number of people at a time with covid. And makes some extra green with the more expensive tickets for more valuable access. The benefit will be that you’ll have a chance to get the most sought-after items before others have a chance to snap them up. Used to be one of the perks of doing setup 
PeetaJai
Guest
That's a great idea. Will definitely try it.
Yes. It's a coral selling convention. Usually 30ish vendors have a table with frag tanks set up and coral, Nems, etc for sale. Most of the vendors are stores, online dealers, folks that make part of their living selling, etc. along with a handful of people selling off extras they've been growing in their frag tanks. A lot of years we've had multiple Bar members split a few tables and sell as well. There will be a couple of gear companies represented as well. Reef Nutrition is usually a highlight as well as Neptune and Kessil. Chad at Reef Nutrition will be your new best friend.
For years now BAR has helped with CFM. We have had people setting up the room, and taking everything down in exchange for a table in the front entryway to promote BAR, and to raffle off dozens of items as a fundraiser. Not sure if we still do that.
SupraSaltyReefer
Supporting Member
I'll be going Friday VIP night or Saturday morning. Not sure yet. Have attended a few in the past. Highlight for me is the free Reef Nutrition food Chad gives out. I also try to see which vendors has the Zen Reef mushroom boxes or frag racks. Bring LOTS of cash or whatever amount you are willing to spend for the best deals lol.
You can see more details on their website or Facebook page.
www.facebook.com
You can see more details on their website or Facebook page.
CFM Pro Tour Silicon Valley 2021 Spring
www.coralfarmersmarket.com
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We did not participate like usual at the last event because of COVID. We have been talking about some limited involvement for this event, but still in discussions with Steve (he has very limited space due to restrictions at the location). So nothing to report to the members yet.
Wlachnit
Past President
Yeah...that has been a good strategy if you're looking for good deals.
I doubt it but @Apon handles that
max_nano
Supporting Member
Me neither, are they maybe wholesale focused but do events as an additional sales channel?
I think I’m going to try and go regardless. With the timing of my entrance to the hobby I haven’t gone to any events primarily due to covid cancelling them
If Victor doesn't know them they aren't wholesalers or retail operations. It's likely they are garage farmers and the like.
I heard its more of the harder to find higher end stiff but with good deals mixed in.
It’s like the difference between going to Whole Foods vs to a Farmer’s Market. Both are good, but in the first case you are in an individual store with a large selection buying what they offer, and in the other you are going booth to booth interacting with lots of different local farmers each of which has a smaller selection. Plus some hardware and supplies vendors.
As far as prices, I’ve never been impressed with the deals at CFM. They are fine, but not better than Neptune. The selection is skewed toward more expensive coral since they have to lug it around.
sfsuphysics
Supporting Member
One thing I would advise, if you are having issues with keeping stuff alive just don't go, it's a good recipe to throwing your money away as your "overly expensive" frags may end up dying on you. This is not a once in a lifetime type of thing, they have multiple events a year in Silicon Valley, so you're not going to be missing out on anything.
Also be prepared to see everything under blue lights, and I don't mean like Neptune tanks that run a bit on the bluer side, those are actually reasonably lit, but everything will be under nothing but blue lights, the deeper blue colors too. Now if that is what you normally keep your tank at for viewing, perfect, but if you have a white spectrum be prepared to have corals not look anything like they do in their frag tanks at home. Also the room will have it's lights heavily lowered, as much as they can get away with, so you'll have dark room, with bright blue lights hitting all those fluorescent proteins to make you want to buy them.
Also be prepared to see everything under blue lights, and I don't mean like Neptune tanks that run a bit on the bluer side, those are actually reasonably lit, but everything will be under nothing but blue lights, the deeper blue colors too. Now if that is what you normally keep your tank at for viewing, perfect, but if you have a white spectrum be prepared to have corals not look anything like they do in their frag tanks at home. Also the room will have it's lights heavily lowered, as much as they can get away with, so you'll have dark room, with bright blue lights hitting all those fluorescent proteins to make you want to buy them.