Origami September 14, 2022 Share September 14, 2022 Event: FragFest 2022 Saturday, October 15, 2022 Time: 12:00 P.M. - 5:30 PM (Speaker starts at 2 PM) Where: North Bethesda Middle School, 8935 Bradmoor Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817 This meeting is open to (DUES-PAYING) MEMBERS ONLY*. * Join WAMAS at the door for $20.00 individual; $35.00 family = 1 year of membership, or save the hassle and Join Now. What is FragFest? Check out the FragFest FAQ here. Speaker: Nikki "ReefdUp" Bridges (Coral Rehabilitator, WAMAS Membership Director and owner/author of the blog CoralEverAfter.org) Topic: Scary Frights and Aquatic Ghouls (or "Pests in Your Reef Aquarium") Enter if you dare, into the world of what may be haunting your tank and lurking in the shadows of that beautiful new coral. The spiders are biting, the worms are crawling, and the slugs are leaving only skeletons behind. Join us for a truly spooktacular adventure! Bio: Nikki “ReefdUp” Bridges is a multidisciplinary systems engineer, military spouse, and mom to two amazing kids. She also happens to be WAMAS Membership Director. As the daughter of a wildlife rehabilitator and native plant rescuer, it is no surprise that her favorite part of reefkeeping became rescuing injured and diseased coral. Her passion for the last 14 years has been successfully rehabilitating over 250 injured/ diseased coral and fish. Her efforts have also included endangered species reef restoration in Curacao and marine debris removal in Honduras. To document these coral rehabilitation efforts, her blog, CoralEverAfter, covers novel techniques to save corals, one polyp at a time. In the process, she's identified and treated forscores of reef aquarium pests. She has over thirty years in the aquarium hobby and currently has a 120-gallon display reef, multiple quarantine/ treatment systems, and a Berghia nudibranch breeding system. Her favorite moments include defeating bizarre pests, eliminating diseases, successfully beating “brown jelly”, and still managing to safeguard her favorite rescues as she moves back and forth across the country. This passion likely stems from growing up in a family dedicated to rescuing wild animals and native plants. She has over thirty years in the aquarium hobby and currently has a 120 gallon mixed reef and four quarantine/treatment tanks – ask her what it is like to move that from state to state! ***** 12:00 PM Doors open to WAMAS members (only) 12:00 - 1:30 PM Socializing / Club business 12:30 - 1:30 PM Tank-drilling and fragging demos 1:30 - 1:50 PM Social Break 1:50 - 2:00 PM Club Business & Announcements 2:00 - 3:00 PM Speaker Nikki Bridges 3:00 - 3:30 PM Social Break 3:30 - 4:00 PM Raffle 4:00 - 5:30 PM Frag Giveaway (Yes, FREE frags!) 5:30 - 6:00 PM Cleanup Directions to North Bethesda Middle School: - NOTE: The school is just inside the north edge of the beltway near Old Georgetown Road. Here's a map from Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/bKz79Y9HmQF2 Special thanks to theses sponsors. Please support them & say thanks next time you shop with them. You can find their website address by visiting their forum or the sponsor page on the WAMAS website. WAMAS Platinum Sponsors - Air, Water & Ice - AquaHaus - Avast Marine - Blue Ribbon Koi - Capital Aquarium - ChemiPure (Boyd Enterprises) - Dr. Mac's Pacific East Aquaculture - FishnReef.com - Frank's Tanks - MASNA - Maxspect - Premium Aquatics - Puddle Aquatics - Reed Mariculture (Reef Nutrition) - Reef eScape - Reef2Rainforest Media (Coral Magazine) - SaltwaterAquarium.com - Supreme Reefs WAMAS Banner-Only Sponsors - Cobalt Aquatics - Jellyfish Art - Two Little Fishies 2022 virtual meeting support provided by Eureka Strategic Consulting, Discover the Extraordinary. *********** Give Aways! (One per member/family while supplies last) F-Aiptasia (donated by Frank's Tanks. 48 two-ounce bottles ($25 value) and 37 one-ounce ($14 value) bottles Raffle Prizes* - Maxspect Coral Fragging Kit consisting of one pair of Coral Pruners, one pair of Coral Tweezers, one 60 cm Coral Gripper, and one 120g jar of Coral Putty (epoxy). Kit has a $74 value. Ten chances to win! - $100 gift certificate donated by Reef Nerd Aquatics - 1 Aquabiomics aquarium microbiome test donated by Reef Nerd Aquatics ($99 value) - Reef Chemical Supplements kit comprising TLF KH Power, Calcium Pronto and pH Balance from SaltwaterAquarium.com ($53 value) - Kolar Labs Carbon & GFO package comprising 1/4 gallon of both GAC and GFO from SaltwaterAquarium.com ($60 value) - $150 gift certificate toward any Jellyfish Aquarium Kit at Jellyfishart.com. - Two Tropic Marin Test Kits (Ca/Mg and Alkalinity), donated by Nikki (ReefdUp) Bridges - 1 set of water quality products donated by Cobalt Aquatics, $147.66 value. - 13.5 ounce jar of Cobalt Aquatics Ultra Marine all-natural fish food, $43.40 value. Three chances to win! - From Boyd/Chemipure: 16-ounces of Vita Chem (vitamin supplement) plus one 2g vial of Chemiclean. $39 value. - From Boyd/Chemipure: Three 5-ounce size Chemi-Pure Blue, treats 35 gallon tanks for up to 1 month (3-month supply). $49.92 value - From Boyd/Chemipure: Three 11-ounce size Chemi-Pure Blue, treats 75-gallon tanks for up to 1 month (3-month supply). $83.31 value - From Boyd/Chemipure: 12 Chemi-Pure Blue nano, treats nano tanks for a 1 month (1 year supply). $45.26 value. Four chances to win!!! - One $100 livestock gift certificate and two $50 livestock gift certificates donated by Blue Ribbon Koi (so three chances to win)! - One Aussie Torch Coral donated by Vibrant Corals ($150-$200 value) - Clarisea SK-5000 automatic roller filter donated by Aquahaus! ($445 value!) More to be announced. Sponsors on-site (updated as needed): Reef Nerd Dr Mac's Pacific East Aquaculture AquaHaus Members selling on site (updated as needed): @copps @gws3 (pre-sales pickup) @ECreefer @Mr.Chalice @Readetome Watch this space for more information to be made available as it arrives! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami September 19, 2022 Author Share September 19, 2022 Maxspect has seen some of the recent high-profile club activity and wants to sponsor the club and FragFest. They've generously donated the following products that we'll re-package for the raffle. Specifically we'll raffle off ten sets comprising 1 pair of Maxspect Coral Pruners ($25 value) 1 pair of Maxspect Coral Tweezers ($20 value) 1 Maxspect Coral Gripper (60 cm) ($15 value) 1 jar of Maxspect Coral Putty (epoxy), 120g ($14 value) The value of each package is $74 and we'll have ten packages to raffle. Thank you, Maxspect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami September 19, 2022 Author Share September 19, 2022 Reef Nerd Aquatics has just donated a $100 gift certificate AND an Aquabiomic (aquarium microbiome) test kit ($99 value) for the raffle. They will also be joining us on site so raffle winners can save on shipping and apply the full certificate value to corals! Thank you, Reef Nerd Aquatics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami September 19, 2022 Author Share September 19, 2022 Raffle donation from SaltwaterAquarium.com - Two Little Fishies reef supplement kit comprising - 1 kg jar of KH Power, alkalinity supplement - 800 g jar of Calcium Pronto, calcium supplement - 1 kg jar of pH Balance, alkalinty supplement and marine pH buffer Value of this package is $53. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami September 19, 2022 Author Share September 19, 2022 More raffle items from SaltwaterAquarium.com 1 kit comprising 1/4 gallon each of Kolar Labs Granular Activated Carbon and Granular Ferric Oxide (for phosphate removal). $60 value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 4, 2022 Author Share October 4, 2022 Ever want to try a Jellyfish Aquarium? Well, here's your chance to get $150 off one from Club Sponsor Jellyfish Art! We only have one of these, so come to FragFest and play the raffle for your chance at this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 4, 2022 Author Share October 4, 2022 F-Aiptasia (two-ounce and one-ounce bottles). Free to attendees while supplies last! Generously donated by Frank over at Frank's Tanks. Reef-safe Aiptasia fix. Works in minutes. We have a supply of 48 bottles of the two-ounce size and 37 bottles of the one-ounce size that we'll be giving out to members on a first-come, first-served basis (starting when doors open at noon). To ensure the broadest exposure, we must limit this give-away to one per member or member-family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 4, 2022 Author Share October 4, 2022 Donated by WAMAS sponsor, Cobalt Aquatics, for the raffle! 1 set of water quality products (combined value of $147.66) consisting of 20 oz of Complete Reef ($32.08 value) 22.5 oz of Total Reef ($89.23 value) 13.5 oz of Ultra Carbon ($26.35 value) Descriptions below. Complete Reef Superior marine aquarium pollutant and nitrate removal media. A combination of Ultra Carbon Granules, Total Organics and Total Nitrate high-capacity ion-exchanging resins. Removes organics, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and metals. Won’t affect calcium, magnesium or alkalinity to keep the water balanced. Broad-spectrum choice for saltwater aquariums. Removes pollutants that rock and protein skimmers cannot to help keep your tank clean. Total Reef Superior rechargeable pollutant removing marine aquarium resins. Highly durable resin removes organics, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and metals. Designed for reef aquariums with sensitive stony corals, clams and invertebrates. Removes pollutants at low concentrations—great for use in ultra-low-nutrient systems. Can regenerate many times to extend the use of the product. Does not release the collected pollutants into the water when exhausted. Ultra Carbon Quick-acting granulated carbon. Low-density, high-capacity granulated bituminous carbon helps keep your tank clean. Use in canister filters or medium reactors. Suitable for use in freshwater and saltwater aquariums. Quickly removes dissolved organics to help keep your fish friends healthy. Even removes common aquarium medications! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 4, 2022 Author Share October 4, 2022 Donated by Cobalt Aquatics. 13.5 ounce jar of Cobalt Aquatics Ultra Pellet Marine all-natural fish food. $43.40 each, retail value. Three chances to win! Made with 100% natural ingredients for large, picky marine fish. Nutritious recipe includes whole sword prawn, squid, shrimp, seaweeds and algae. Will not cloud the water in your tank so you keep your clear view of your fishy friends. Fortified with prebiotics and probiotics to support a healthy digestive and immune system. Creates minimal waste for a cleaner aquarium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 4, 2022 Author Share October 4, 2022 Donated for the raffle by Boyd Enterprises, the makers of Chemipure, chemiclean, and other products: Package #1: 16-ounces of Vita Chem (vitamin supplement) plus one 2g vial of Chemiclean (treats cyanobacteria infestations). $39 value. Package #2: Three 5-ounce size Chemi-Pure Blue, treats 35 gallon tanks for up to 1 month (3-month supply). $49.92 value Package #3: Three 11-ounce size Chemi-Pure Blue, treats 75-gallon tanks for up to 1 month (3-month supply). $83.31 value Package #4: Twelve Chemi-Pure Blue nano, treats nano tanks for up to 1 month (1 year supply). $45.26 value. Four chances to win!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 4, 2022 Author Share October 4, 2022 Please note: We're trying a few "new" things for this FragFest: 1) Tank-drilling demo (televised). 2) Fragging guide handout that can be downloaded. (We'll provide a QR code here.) 3) Fragging demos, televised to the big screen so we're not all crowded around a small space. Hopefully, these updates will enhance the audience experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilary October 5, 2022 Share October 5, 2022 Our long-time WAMAS sponsor Blue Ribbon Koi is donating one $100 livestock gift certificate and two $50 livestock gift certificates for the raffle. Thanks John! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 6, 2022 Author Share October 6, 2022 See post #3 above. Reef Nerd Aquatics just added an Aquabiomics aquarium microbiome test kit to the raffle! What's in your tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 7, 2022 Author Share October 7, 2022 Nikki's topic description has been updated in the first post to give a seasonal flavor. Provided here for your convenience. Scary Frights and Aquatic Ghouls (or "Pests in Your Reef Aquarium") Enter if you dare, into the world of what may be haunting your tank and lurking in the shadows of that beautiful new coral. The spiders are biting, the worms are crawling, and the slugs are leaving only skeletons behind. Join us for a truly spooktacular adventure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 7, 2022 Author Share October 7, 2022 Free ICP-Mass Spec test just for coming to FragFest! ICP-Analysis is joining us as a club sponsor and has made a very, very generous donation of 150 ICP mass spec test kits that we'll be giving out to members that attend FragFest 2022. Limit 1 per member / family. First come, first served. While supplies last. Doors open at 12. Summarized from their website: This is the first Mass Spec test offered to the aquarium industry. It is 1000x more accurate than traditional ICP OES. ICP-Analysis uses a five-point calibration curve and certified standards to guarantee accuracy. There's not any test more accurate available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 7, 2022 Author Share October 7, 2022 I'd like to announce that VIBRANT CORALS is donating 10 colonies for fragging to this event. VIBRANT is a wholesale-only outlet specializing in supplying corals from Australia, Indonesia and Tonga. If your LFS or coral retailer is not bringing in VIBRANT corals, ask them why not! Thanks, VIBRANT for your generous support of WAMAS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 8, 2022 Author Share October 8, 2022 One of our longtime members and member of the FragFest coordinating team, @mogurnda, has prepared a handout that we're making available in conjunction with this year's FragFest meeting. "Fragging, Mounting, and Caring for Corals - an excessively brief summary" is a two page primer on fragging, mounting and caring for your corals. It's neither exhaustive to cover all corals nor is it intended to address all situations or techniques that you may encounter, but for somebody new to the hobby it can help give you a start. Use the QR code below of go to this link to download the softcopy handout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 8, 2022 Author Share October 8, 2022 Wow! AquaHaus (joined WAMAS today as our newest sponsor) just donated a ClariSea SK-5000 Auto Roller Filter to the raffle. That's a $445 value, folks! Join us next Saturday and play the raffle for your chance to win! And don't forget to check out AquaHaus in the Brookfield Plaza in Springfield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 10, 2022 Author Share October 10, 2022 Just a reminder. We have two (now three) (free) giveaways for (eligible) FragFest attendees and some awesome raffle prizes. Giveaways (limited quantity, while supplies last) include - One bottle of F-Aiptasia (donated by Frank's Tanks) - A free ICP Mass Spec Test (donated by ICP-Analysis) - A free tube of Cyanoacrylate (e.g., Super Glue) Gel (provided by WAMAS) Raffle prizes include - Clarisea SK-5000 automatic roller filter donated by Aquahaus! ($445 value!) - One $100 livestock gift certificate and two $50 livestock gift certificates donated by Blue Ribbon Koi (so three chances to win)! - $150 gift certificate toward any Jellyfish Aquarium Kit at Jellyfishart.com. - $100 gift certificate donated by Reef Nerd Aquatics - 1 Aquabiomics aquarium microbiome test donated by Reef Nerd Aquatics - Maxspect Coral Fragging Kit consisting of one pair of Coral Pruners, one pair of Coral Tweezers, one 60 cm Coral Gripper, and one 120g jar of Coral Putty (epoxy). Kit has a $74 value. Ten chances to win! - Reef Chemical Supplements kit comprising TLF KH Power, Calcium Pronto and pH Balance from SaltwaterAquarium.com ($53 value) - Kolar Labs Carbon & GFO package comprising 1/4 gallon of both GAC and GFO from SaltwaterAquarium.com ($60 value) - 1 set of water quality products donated by Cobalt Aquatics, $147.66 value. - 13.5 ounce jar of Cobalt Aquatics Ultra Marine all-natural fish food, $43.40 value. Three chances to win! - From Boyd/Chemipure: 16-ounces of Vita Chem (vitamin supplement) plus one 2g vial of Chemiclean. $39 value. - From Boyd/Chemipure: Three 5-ounce size Chemi-Pure Blue, treats 35 gallon tanks for up to 1 month (3-month supply). $49.92 value - From Boyd/Chemipure: Three 11-ounce size Chemi-Pure Blue, treats 75-gallon tanks for up to 1 month (3-month supply). $83.31 value - From Boyd/Chemipure: 12 Chemi-Pure Blue nano, treats nano tanks for a 1 month (1 year supply). $45.26 value. Four chances to win!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 12, 2022 Author Share October 12, 2022 Fragfest is just THREE days away! Remember, you need to be a WAMAS member (not a BB Participant and not a Facebook Group Member - You must be a WAMAS member (click to join)) to attend FragFest and to participate in the frag giveaway. Upon check in, members will get a wristband (family members will designate one member to get the wristband). This person is the designated frag-recipient and will get two (family members, three) tickets for the first called rounds of frag distribution. This is different than we've done before and helps ensure that all have equal/random access to "premium" frags that are available. After these called rounds, you'll line up and get frags on a first come, first served basis. Thank you and see you Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 14, 2022 Author Share October 14, 2022 We have a 5-7 head (Rasta) torch coral (Aussie Rasta?) from Vibrant that has enough flesh along the branches that we don't want to frag it on Saturday but, instead, will offer it up in the raffle. It's a beautiful, healthy piece and the best that I have is a screenshot from a short video (which, because of motion, is blurry). Estimated value of this piece is $150-$200. Anyway, into the raffle it goes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 14, 2022 Author Share October 14, 2022 Heads up: We've received a donation of 20 Sunkist Bounce Mushrooms from AquaHaus for FragFest. These are not part of the raffle, but will be part of the premium frags that we'll be giving out. Thanks, AquaHaus! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami October 14, 2022 Author Share October 14, 2022 Nikki, WAMAS Membership Director and our speaker for this meeting is donating Tropic Marin Test Kits: Ca/Mg Pro (Calcium/Magnesium-Combitest Professional) - 50 tests KH (Alkalinity) - 100 tests Retail value of these two kits is $59. Thanks, Nikki! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReefdUp October 16, 2022 Share October 16, 2022 Thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and everyone that came out! It was a great event, as always! If you joined as a member in person today or had other changes made to your account, please give me a day or two to process them all. Feel free to reach out if you need anything. And... welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReefdUp October 16, 2022 Share October 16, 2022 For those of you asking for more information during my presentation, please see some references at my site: Coral Inspection, Dips, and Quarantine: https://coraleverafter.org/?p=578 Pest/Parasite Identification Information: https://coraleverafter.org/?page_id=22 Thanks again to everyone that came out and/or contributed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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