Kessil

Frag Swap versus DBTC

mark_s

mark_s

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The DBTC program is new to me and I'm still learning the dynamics of the program. But it seems to me that hosting a Frag Swap would diminish the benefits of a DBTC program, and perhaps even rob the program of potential chains. I'm just curious if such a discussion has taken place amongst the club members before.

I love Frag Swaps, and will be attending BAR's swap. Yet I wonder what it would be like if the Frag Swap was replaced with a "DBTC swap". I guess one downside would be a much lower attendance...
 
For me, a frag swap HELPS dbtc. It lets me clear out excess corals and get in new corals which can be future DBTC corals (new blood). BAR has many "surplus" species which are welcome by others and visa versa.

A DBTC swap is backwards of DBTC. DBTC is strictly a pay it forward program.
 
swaps provide .... social interaction with other clubs/non-club members...... spreading knowledge about our club (including DBTC if possible)..... and 'new blood' also. all the above eventually leads to more DBTC's in the long term.... my .02
 
General swaps bring in new blood for the club as Tony and Levi stated, you need to be a BAR member to take advantage of the DBTC program, so the swaps allow other people to get involved in trading. In the past I've offered up all of the frags I will be bringing to the swap through the DBTC program, and whatever was not claimed I put into the swap, which still winds up being quite a bit of nice coral.
 
Remember one of the more important aspects of DBTC and this club in general, is being somewhat environmental conscious about the animals in our tanks. While yeah we lose with all the power needed, the cost of flying them from all over the place, drooling over "hot new items" someone gets, etc, we can reduce the need for corals being pulled out of the ocean. Frag swaps make a good way to accomplish that part in a huge way. Not to mention a lot of DBTC probably come from fragswaps, I know almost all of mine have (only 1 I can think of that didn't), in fact most of the corals I've ever had came from swaps and the like, I've bought very few corals from LFS over my entire reefing career (yeah I know not something sponsors like to hear :D).
 
[quote author=tuberider link=topic=4171.msg49941#msg49941 date=1216999873]
General swaps bring in new blood for the club as Tony and Levi stated, you need to be a BAR member to take advantage of the BAR DBTC program, so the swaps allow other people to get involved in trading. In the past I've offered up all of the frags I will be bringing to the swap through the DBTC program, and whatever was not claimed I put into the swap, which still winds up being quite a bit of nice coral.
[/quote]

1 minor correction as I am a member of more then one club which have a DBTC program


My.02 on the OP

Swaps can be great to exchange a coral with someone who does not chose (for whatever reason) to percipatate in DBTC programs, and by an active DBTC'er (I just coined that phase...rofl) reciving that coral and then offering to others, in some sense that person who choses not to percipatate has still helped the cause, and might in fact then see why DBTC is so great.
 
Swap and DBTC activities can complement each other.

Also, DBTC is an awesome community building activity and it's reflected in the positive spirit brought to the swaps.
 
We've even joked that DBTC makes frag swaps obsolete as far as getting "rare" corals :D

It's certainly toned down the "me me me" factor when looking for choice pieces :D
 
The other side of that Norman, is some of us are evolving to the "Ooh I want that piece because of the container..." :) to "Oooh that'd be a nice piece to prop out for DBTC" :D
 
Thank you all that have replied. I really enjoy the maturity of the users of this forum.

Everyone has made excellent points and I tend to agree with you all. I think the greatest value in a Frag Swap is its far-reaching impact on regular hobbyists that may not be active members of a club. As much as sponsors may not like it, encouraging local coral propagation and trading is paramount in my eyes. Our days of wild harvest are limited, and the more we can provide each other with corals rather than taking from the oceans the better off we all are.

I can see how Frag Swaps and DBTC programs can be complementary, too. As others have stated, I'm looking forward to the Swap as a means to find some good pieces to introduce into the MARS DBTC.

Is BAR planning on providing a brief presentation or introduction to the DBTC program at the swap? It would be neat if the club created a DBTC booth. Especially with MAX coming up and other future Expos. A DBTC booth would be amazing.
 
There will be three large events in Cali next year. I really wish BAR could get a booth together for them. All three would allow BAR to join in the fun for free.

IF some one puts a committee together, I'll join. I think I have a bit of experience with trade show booths :D
 
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