MACNA Advice

[Ratchet]

Hey everyone! I hope this is an okay place to post this. I am really excited to be going to MACNA this year but have never been to one before. I had a couple questions.
Should I bring cash or a card?
Would it be okay to put purchases in a cooler for the weekend?
Are there really good deals or is it more of just a look but don't touch kind of thing?
Thanks for the help!

 

[ReefCheif]

Cash is key, card will be accepted for sure, but vendors would prefer cash, its easier for them in the end, and you may very well get cash discounts (it costs a vendor to run a card)

I wouldnt reccomend keeping things in stagnant water for more than 24 hours, this is why all vendors ship live shippments overnight. My reccomendation here is to see if anyone local would be willing to hold any corals for you until your ready to head home. I can do this for you if you like an Im working the event so Ill be there the entire time, or bring a temp tank to set up in your hotel room.

There will be great deals and some of the best coral vendors around will all be in one room. Youll have access to alot of exclusive and rare peices for sure.

 

[Jeremiah]

Cash is key, card will be accepted for sure, but vendors would prefer cash, its easier for them in the end, and you may very well get cash discounts (it costs a vendor to run a card)

I wouldnt reccomend keeping things in stagnant water for more than 24 hours, this is why all vendors ship live shippments overnight. My reccomendation here is to see if anyone local would be willing to hold any corals for you until your ready to head home. I can do this for you if you like an Im working the event so Ill be there the entire time, or bring a temp tank to set up in your hotel room.

There will be great deals and some of the best coral vendors around will all be in one room. Youll have access to alot of exclusive and rare peices for sure.

Wow, I never even thought about that...so bring 5 gallon bucket + fresh salt / maybe a seeded sponge with heater + small pump for circulation and wala.

Hmmm...seeing as how this is a friday - sunday show...lets say you buy on friday...corals fine till sunday night you leave...or would u want a cheapy light just to give the corals something?

 

[ReefCheif]

I personally would want a light, a cheapy white LED would likely do fine

 

[LeviK]

If you have a light I would bring it just because. Also if you can find a little in tank filter, most are rated for like a 15g tank, it would help. Also for those staying in a hotel I wouldn't run the AC hard core or the little heater for the 5g bucket may not keep up. Just make sure to break the waters surface to keep it aerated so that pH doesn't drop significantly.

 

[SynDen]

I live pretty close by the convention center, within about 15 blocks or so, Id be open to keep some corals in my sump for a few days too

 

[rmougey]

There will be over 50 exhibitors selling goods.... almost all will take credit cards. Cash might get you a better deal. The other 90+ exhibitors will be showing their latest gear and many are offering freebies or chances to win free product. The attendee bag will be full of free stuff and tickets for free stuff.

It's not uncommon to see lots of small aquariums (think 12g Marineland systems) setup with a heater and filter for the weekend in the hotel rooms. This is a great way to keep your purchases safe till you can get them home.

You will also find many show specials, where pricing on products is below what is normally available. It's a veritable aquatic heaven.

-Rob

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

What about for locals, do you think a cooler would work? Do I add any heating to it, like maybe those hand warmers for winter time? I'm attending on Saturday, and driving North to Loveland Saturday night....so I need temporary transit for corals.

 

[zombie]

What about for locals, do you think a cooler would work? Do I add any heating to it, like maybe those hand warmers for winter time? I'm attending on Saturday, and driving North to Loveland Saturday night....so I need temporary transit for corals.

A cooler should be plenty. Some of the coral vendors will hold your livestock for you in their tank until the end of the day if you want to reduce the amount of time they are in stagnant water and keep temps up. You can also fill some water bottles up with hot water to keep temps up as well.