Entropy Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 The meeting at James house (Headless Donkey) started about 3pm with everyone rolling in over about 30 minutes time. For those of us coming from North Austin, both Mopac and I35 where bumper to bumper (SURPRISE!) so we got to sit in traffic. I guess we where not the only ones going somewhere on a Saturday afternoon. Anyway after the crowd was assembled everyone spent about 30 minutes talking and making some introductions. James house was a nice setting since it has a tank of some kind in just about every room. We did not get to see the 500g super reef hidden in the “dog room”, but I guess everyone has to have their secrets. There were plenty of cold sodas and some yummy snacks to munch on and I have to give it to James and Jennifer for being excellent hosts. As soon as everyone more or less settled in, James gave a presentation on supplements (mainly calcium and magnesium). John from Kingfish Aquariums also added some useful information on magnesium and I think we all came away with a better idea of the importance of the main elements needed for a healthy reef. The video is in the meeting archive section. I am also pretty sure several people came away with a magnesium complex. This conversation was actually an excellent lead into the next presentation, which was given by John from Kingfish Aquariums on calcium reactors. Unfortunately for me the presentation was given in Latin, which I failed in high school. Looking around the room, everyone else seemed to understand it though, so either Austinites as a whole are fluent in Latin or I am just a noob! John fielded a bunch of questions and I was glad I was not the one standing up there athough after watching the video (again in the meeting archives) it turns out my ugly mug was in the shot the entire time. Next Coral Reef Bazaar (Fredrick) showed us the next evolution of the Lumenarc (or the Lumen something or another). It was pretty awesome and I think it will sell very well once it hits the market. After this we took a short break and I tried to walk off with the reflector. I had it about half way to my car before I was tackled by security. I had no idea that ARC had the budget to bring in security, but note to self for next time. The next event was the coveted door prize give away (and no that is not the only reason I showed up). We had several nice offerings including a huge test kit of some kind from Austin Aquatic Innovations (again in Latin ) that a lot of people were drooling over, a Koralia 4 powerhead from Deep Blue Aquariums, an awesome little nano tank complete with accessories and several supplement goodies from River City Aquariums, several gift certificates from Aquatek, and some other goodies. I scored the Koralia pump (yes I rigged the drawing). Shortly after the door prize giveaway we moved on to an informal auction to benefit Steve at Horizon Aquatics. The amount and quality of frags was pretty impressive and I think Kat summed it up best when she said, “obviously Austin Reefers (and a few of San Antonio finest too) are made of a higher grade”. It was hilarious to seem some of the bidders significant others cringe at the amount of newly won frags piling up as the event went on. Needless to say there are some very generous (and wealthy?) people in our club. I believe Kat said ARC raised over $1000, which seems incredible to me. That was pretty much the highlights of the meeting. After the auction things started to wrap up and the people started shuffling out. I would like to add that I personally had a great time and it was nice to meet a bunch of new people. I didn’t catch anywhere near enough names, and I wish I had recorded the meeting a bit better. It was my first meeting and I was more or less just soaking everything in. If I made any mistakes above (especially with the names) please forgive me and I know for sure I left out at least two people (Captain Bob for one). I would like to do a better job next time and hopefully get a roll sheet or something along with better exposure for our generous local business who donated either time or prizes (or both). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 I had a great time, it was my first meet to go to and I plan on showing up to more. though I made a note to self, rofl, if meet is in south austin...go way ahead of time. The test kits from Austin Aquatics where made by Elos...(here) and these are the tanks made by Elos if you havn't seen them... Im currently saving my money so I can pick up one of these beutiful tanks up (the one I want uses crystal glass). Hopefully in the next 2 months I can pick one of these tanks up set it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmanning Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 WOW!!! That's is such a display. Wonder how much they run for. I like the fact everythings is hidden. Clean lines with touch of contemporary flare LOVE IT, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melev Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 Rich, that is a great meeting recap. When in the next one? Did y'all meet in September, or was MACNA keeping y'all busy and out of town? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headless_donkey Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 The next meeting is up in the air right now. We did a combined frag swap with MAAST in sept. Hopefully in November(?) we will have another one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melev Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 If you can meet consistently, that will be a huge draw for those wanting to find a local club. I noticed one person posting in the Tank Tour thread that they look forward to being able to attend the next one. You guys should put your heads together and try to organize another one. Clubs grow where activity is present. You've got a number of good members that would make a good core group to build upon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropy Posted October 8, 2007 Author Share Posted October 8, 2007 Thanks for the advice Marc. We had the same issue in my old club and they are still struggling with the issue a year later (although improving ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 We are due for another meeting. We just need someone willing to host!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropy Posted October 8, 2007 Author Share Posted October 8, 2007 How about coming up with a meeting place somewhere in Austin as a standard instead of going house to house. In my old club we met at Carrows (do they have that here? Think upscale Denny's) once a month, and then occasionally we met at a LFS or someones house, but the fall back was always Carrows so there was no pressure for anyone to step up with a meeting place. I would have it at my house, but I am not sure how excited my HOA would be about having that many cars parked all over the hood and I live in Round Rock which might be a drive for a lot of people. There has to be a place we can meet in central Austin somewhere. Even just a big room or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ACampbell Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 I like "house to house" and really wouldn't consider it an issue. btw I wouldn't mind hosting the next meeting, as long as I don't have to give a talk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 We really don't even have to have a talk. Just getting together and seeing someone's tank is good enough for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ACampbell Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 announcement coming soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melev Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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