2019 Frag Swaps and Aquarium Expos
Posted by Matt Buschbacher on
A comprehensive list of 2019 Frag Swaps and Aquarium Expos. Please book mark this page and check back regularly for show updates and new show additions. If you are hosting a frag swap or aquarium expo and would like to have it listed here, please email us your show information. Be sure to include the date, city and state, name of the show and a link to a web page or social media page. Below the list of 2019 Frag Swaps you will find a Frag Swap FAQ.
UPDATED 01/01/2019
| DATE | CITY | STATE | NAME |
| 1/19/2019 | Cincinnati | Ohio | Cincinnati Reefkeepers Society Frag Swap |
| 1/19/2019 | Madison | Wisconsin | MARS Frag Swap 2019 |
| 1/19/2019 | Lancaster | Pennsylvania | RCS Winter Frag Swap 2019 |
| 1/27/2019 | Lansing | Michigan | Michigan Coral Expo & Swap |
| 1/27/2019 | Spartanburg | South Carolina | SCAA Carolina Aquatics Trade Show 2019 |
| 2/9/2019 | Saratoga | California | Silicon Valley Coral Farmer's Market |
| 2/10/2019 | Kaukuana | Wisconsin | GBAS Frag Swap Meet 2019 |
| 2/16/2019 | Lakeland | Florida | Florida Frag Swap 2019 |
| 2/23/2019 | Cleveland | Ohio | LEAR Lake Eerie Frag Fest 2019 |
| 2/23/2019 | Seattle | Washington | Reefworx Expo |
| 3/2/2019 | Storrs | Connecticut | New England Frag Farmer's Market |
| 3/2/2019 | Denver | Colorado | Reef Builders Reefstock 2019 |
| 3/9/2019 | Charleston | South Carolina | Reef Dreams 2019 |
| 3/9/2019 | Slidell | Louisiana | Fragniappe 2019 |
| 3/9/2019 | Plantation | Florida | FMAS 2019 Frag Swap |
| 3/10/2019 | Ann Arbor | Michigan | A3 Frag Swap |
| 3/16/2019 | Indianapolis | Indiana | INDMAS Frag Swap 2019 |
| 3/17/2019 | Derby | Kansas | Air Capital Aquarium Convention |
| 3/23/2019 | St. Louis | Missouri | SLASH Spring Swap 2019 |
| 3/24/2019 | Naperville | Illinois | CFM Midwest Aquatic Convention |
| 3/30/2019 | Dallas | Texas | AquaShella 2019 |
| 3/30/2019 | Rochester | New York | Flower City Frag Fest |
| 4/6/2019 | Orlando | Florida | Reef-A-Palooza 2019 |
| 4/7/2019 | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | 3 Rivers MAS Frag Swap |
| 4/13/2019 | Nashville | Tennessee | MTRC Frag Swap 2019 |
| 4/13/2019 | Catoosa | Oklahoma | Tornado Alley Reef Expo |
| 4/27/2019 | Chicago | Illinois | CMAS 2019 Frag Swap |
| 4/27/2019 | Brownstown | Michigan | Down River Frag Swap |
| 4/27/2019 | Twin Cities | Minnesota | TCMAS Frag Swap 2019 |
| 4/27/2019 | Fullerton | California | Coral Farmer's Market West Coast Coral Show 2019 |
| 4/28/2019 | Sterling Heights | Michigan | Sterling Heights Frag Swap |
| 4/28/2019 | Buffalo | New York | Queen City Frag Fest 2019 |
| 5/4/2019 | Houston | Texas | Reef Currents 2019 |
| 5/5/2019 | Dallas | Texas | Texas Coral Fest 2019 |
| 5/11/2019 | Raleigh | North Carolina | Reef Smart 2019 |
| 5/18/2019 | Huntington | New York | Long Island Reef Association |
| 5/19/2019 | Utica | Illinois | Starved Rock Saltwater Expo |
| 5/19/2019 | San Diego | California | Coral Farmer's Market West Coast Coral Show 2019 |
| 6/22/2019 | Seacaucus | New Jersey | Reef-A-Palooza 2019 |
| 7/20/2019 | Sarasota | Florida | RVC Fragfest |
| 8/10/2019 | Chicago | Illinois | AquaShella 2019 |
| 8/17/2019 | Anaheim | California | Reef-A-Palooza 2019 |
| 8/30/2019 | Orlando | Florida | MACNA 2019 |
| 9/14/2019 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | Philly Splash |
| 10/11/2019 | Secaucus | New Jersey | Aquatic Experience 2019 |
| 10/19/2019 | Chicago | Illinois | Reef-A-Palooza 2019 |
| 10/26/2019 | Twin Cities | Minnesota | TCMAS Fall Expo 2019 |
| 11/16/2019 | Kansas City | Missouri | Coral Farmer's Market Kansas City Coral Show 2019 |
| 12/7/2019 | Phoenix | Arizona | Coral Farmer's Market Phoenix Show 2019 |
Frag Swap FAQ
How to prepare and what to expect at a frag swap.
What is a frag swap?
Frag swaps provide reefers an opportunity to buy, trade and sell captive grown coral to other hobbyists. A local reef club secures a venue, solicits vendors to buy booth space, hires notable speakers, and holds a raffle where they give away thousands of dollars worth of merchandise and livestock.
How do people transport coral?
Some people set up small frag tanks at the swap and then bag coral as it's sold. Other people prepackage coral in deli cups for easy "grab and go" purchasing.
Do I have to trade or can I sell coral?
Most vendors place a dollar value on coral and trade for cash. It's difficult sometimes to find someone who wants to make a direct swap.
If I rent a booth at a frag swap will I sell all the coral I bring?
You're likely to find someone who is willing to trade for coral or buy an item at a reduced price toward the end of the swap. You may not sell all of your coral. Some people donate leftover frags to local schools or educational outreach programs.
Is food available at the frag swap?
Typically there is food and beverages available for purchase at a frag swap venue, however you should check with the organizer of the frag swap to be sure.
How does the raffle work?
Manufacturers, hobbyists and stores donate product for the raffles. You buy raffle tickets when you arrive, and wait for the raffle prizes to be drawn. You can walk away with frags, product samples, pumps and even brand new aquariums.
What should I bring to a frag swap?
If you are attending as a buyer, you should bring cash (however most vendors do accept credit cards now), a stryofoam cooler (for your frag purchases), and a list of what you want to buy (both live stock and equipment / dry goods). Having a list pre-made can help you avoid making purchases for things you do not want or need, and can also help you remember what it is that you actually do need to buy.