Kessil

Question for those that have attended Reefapalooza

MarcosD

MarcosD

Supporting Member
BARcard
It’s a two day event, so how do you guys keep live stock that you purchased Saturday afternoon until you get home Sunday night?

I’m considering going this year but I’ve always thought about this question.

Do people that are buying livestock not purchase anything day 1 and hold off until day 2?

Or would it just be smarter to attend one day? If so, Saturday or Sunday?
 
One day at Reefapooza was enough for me. I was there from open to close, although you realistically only need about 3 hours to casually walk the whole event.

Vendors are generally willing to hold your corals for you until you are ready to leave, so that you don’t have to walk around with them for hours.

I held corals overnight by bringing a 5 gallon bucket and heater. I left the corals sealed in their containers and simply heated up fresh water in the bucket that I floated the corals in. If using this method, make sure the containers can’t leak. Then I dumped the fresh water and packed corals into a styrofoam container for the ride home. This is not much different than what corals would experience when being shipped overnight.
A more advanced method would be to bring a heater and bucket along with a bubbler and salt water, but thats certainly more work.
 
Invictus said:
One day at Reefapooza was enough for me. I was there from open to close, although you realistically only need about 3 hours to casually walk the whole event.

Vendors are generally willing to hold your corals for you until you are ready to leave, so that you don’t have to walk around with them for hours.

I held corals overnight by bringing a 5 gallon bucket and heater. I left the corals sealed in their containers and simply heated up fresh water in the bucket that I floated the corals in. If using this method, make sure the containers can’t leak. Then I dumped the fresh water and packed corals into a styrofoam container for the ride home. This is not much different than what corals would experience when being shipped overnight.
A more advanced method would be to bring a heater and bucket along with a bubbler and salt water, but thats certainly more work.
Click to expand...
Did you go Saturday or Sunday?

That sounds like a good idea. That’s the part I was worried about, keeping them warm.
 
MichaelB said:
Would you plan to drive there? Or fly.
Click to expand...
I think drive. It’d make transporting live stock easier. If I flew I’d have to worry about TSA letting me bring stuff, although coral is technically allowed I know it’s up to the discretion of the agent. And I also couldn’t bring a 5 gallon bucket and stuff with me lol
 
MarcosD said:
I think drive. It’d make transporting live stock easier. If I flew I’d have to worry about TSA letting me bring stuff, although coral is technically allowed I know it’s up to the discretion of the agent. And I also couldn’t bring a 5 gallon bucket and stuff with me lol
Click to expand...
Keep me poated on the plans, I've never been. If it’s a one day thing I would consider trying to bum a ride and pitching in on gas if I could get the day off.
 
derek_SR said:
One day is more than enough - have been twice now. It’s cool but really kind of just a glorified CFM. We take the girls to Disneyland and make a family trip of it!
Click to expand...
Yeah I think I’ll stick to one day. Only reason I don’t get bored at CFM is because there’s club people to talk to. And it’s only a few hours
 
I went a couple of years ago. I waited until the second day to buy stuff, put everything in a small cooler, and drove the 7-ish hours home at the end of the day. You can find pretty good sales at the end of the 2nd day when vendors are trying to clear stuff out.

I got a lot of cool swag. Microfiber towels, icp tests, and nano UNS tanks were being handed out for free! I also saw Ronnie Coleman in my hotel lobby (the LA fitness expo was happening at the same time in the convention center). It was a lot of fun.
 
PizzaOven said:
I went a couple of years ago. I waited until the second day to buy stuff, put everything in a small cooler, and drove the 7-ish hours home at the end of the day. You can find pretty good sales at the end of the 2nd day when vendors are trying to clear stuff out.

I got a lot of cool swag. Microfiber towels, icp tests, and nano UNS tanks were being handed out for free! I also saw Ronnie Coleman in my hotel lobby (the LA fitness expo was happening at the same time in the convention center). It was a lot of fun.
Click to expand...
Wow! That's great! I'm looking forward to going this year.
 
TheRealMadMax said:
Yeah two full days would be expensive … We went for a day and had a blast. We flew and had no problem at all with TSA. We had two large bags of corals. If you go down a day early on Friday you also might be able to see some of the wholesalers in the area.
Click to expand...
Did you go Saturday or Sunday?

Are they open to the public? Or is it by appointment only
 
MarcosD said:
Did you go Saturday or Sunday?

Are they open to the public? Or is it by appointment only
Click to expand...

We went Sunday, Saturday in Disneyland! Definitely need an appointment, sometimes someone from the business as well. Most of the fish for the US market are imported in through LA so some large operations running.
 
TheRealMadMax said:
We went Sunday, Saturday in Disneyland! Definitely need an appointment, sometimes someone from the business as well. Most of the fish for the US market are imported in through LA so some large operations running.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't say most, Florida is a MASSIVE importer. The tropical fish business in Florida is larger then California.

Most won't let people in off the street, especially on the weekend.
 
BAYMAC said:
I wouldn't say most, Florida is a MASSIVE importer. The tropical fish business in Florida is larger then California.

Most won't let people in off the street, especially on the weekend.
Click to expand...

I guess the next logical question would be, does anyone have any contacts that could be reached out to in order to try to tour some of the facilities. Assuming if you can make arrangments and set up things far enough in advance might open up the possibility.

As opposed being that weirdo off the street randomly showing up there knocking on their door lol.

@MarcosD
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top