View Full Version : PVAS Auction in Chicopee, MA
dirtydawg10
01-03-2011, 1:32 PM
Well it's that time of year again...
PVAS (Pioneer Valley Aquarium Society) is having their anual auction on February 20th. Here is a link to the flyer which gives all the specifics about the event for anyone who's interested.
http://pvas.net/images/stories/files/2011%20Auction%20Flyer.pdf
user_name
01-03-2011, 1:43 PM
nice, I'll probobly be going...
vanillarum
01-03-2011, 7:01 PM
I gotta check my calendar, hopefully I can make t.
user_name
01-04-2011, 5:17 PM
anyone know if its worth it to go as a small scale vendor? I'm on the verge of a RCS boom right now, and I'm thinking about selling off some of my newbier plants.
fishorama
01-05-2011, 7:44 AM
It depends on weather for me. un, I think it's a 50/50 club split or something. Last few times I've gone prices have been bid up. Kensfish is usually there & he'll bring whatever you preorder, save on shipping!
Is this worth going as a non-vendor new hobbyist just looking for stocking (I don't have big tanks - just a 14g and possibly a 10g on the way and can't find what I want in my LFS)? Would appreciate details / experience of members familiar with this. It's about an hour drive for me. Thanks
dirtydawg10
01-06-2011, 10:59 AM
It is a good size auction and would be worth it as a small vendor or a non-vendor. The vendor sales are a 50/50 split with the club. As a non-vendor you will find some good stuff for your setup and if you don't like the price you don't have to bid. You may even win some door prizes. If you need vendor forms you can get them on the PVAS website. http://pvas.net/ Hope to meet some of you there.
dirtydawg10
01-06-2011, 11:05 AM
UN...read the Auction Rules on the PVAS website. 3 bag limit per species per vendor. Shrimp and plants usually do pretty well at these auctions though.
fishorama
01-06-2011, 4:05 PM
It's a fun time but it depends on what you want. If it's fairly easy to breed or propagate there may well be some. Lots of cichlids, livebearers, killies, plants, used equipment. I may bring some stuff to donate, white worms seem popular & I think Martha lost hers. If you want selection go early, if you expect bargains, stay to the end...& don't bid me up!
DoctaQ
01-06-2011, 5:00 PM
if its anything like the bas auctions you can expect to make at least a dollar per rcs, you can also buy duckweed for just one dollar a bag!
livebearers also tend to do pretty well for some reason
fishorama
01-06-2011, 6:39 PM
& I'm hoping Tom will bring me a BN baby for some rcs...you know thats the deal...A fun if coolish time, I'm wearing an sweater & hoping for good weather...but not too warm.
user_name
01-06-2011, 6:42 PM
I'll bring you a Bn baby, I'm going to get rid of one of my juvie males to get a female for some baby making.
fishorama
01-06-2011, 6:48 PM
What do you want for it? A white worm starter culture? plants? & where do you want to meet? Kens at what time? It'd be fun if we all (ACers) met up...I'm the 50+ish female with long hair & glasses...Red wigglers? Com'on man...Old cactuoides male?
user_name
01-06-2011, 6:51 PM
I could use some RCS or fry food. (I have no idea what i'll need yet, depends on size of new tank) I have 2 males which are brothers of the same age, one is about 2" and the other has been hovering above an inch forever. I think the smaller is bristling, but I'm not 100%.
A agree, we all should defintely meet up there!
fishorama
01-06-2011, 7:34 PM
I want a small BN, I have lots of RCS including some of mgamers "super red" offspring. Pm me closer to time...
toddhgr
01-07-2011, 5:20 AM
This will be my third year running. I love the auction not only for the sales but also for meeting new people and making great connections. Last year I didn't end up buying anything at the auction, but after I met a guy named Joe and went with him to his place and got a great deal on some Frontosa and Calvus. BTW Ken is set up there the entire day with a huge selection of food and other varius stuff. And if it's anything like last year there will be no shortage of bushynose plecos.
fishorama
01-07-2011, 7:45 AM
Yes but BNs in bags of 6+, more than I want. But, crap, I may be moving, how could I forget that :wall:?!? Man, that really takes the edge off my excitement :angryfire:. Well, maybe it'll force me to bring lots of stuff I won't want to move :idea:
There are other vendors usually too, driftwood sellers, frogs, cool plecs. Fish Frenzy had $5 peacock gudgeons & plants last year. Ken brings frozen foods too, $7-ish/lb for Hikari, good deals!
You may want to bring a cooler if you plan to get fish, like I said it's a bit chilly. Maybe a box for lots of treasures:dance2:
toddhgr
01-07-2011, 8:24 AM
One thing you could do about the BNs is to find one or two other people who would like some and split the price of a bag. That'd be really cheap.
toddhgr
01-07-2011, 8:39 AM
Oh yeah btw any chance somone could possibly get me some contact info for Joe? He is the PVAS member from whom I purchased the fronts and I'd love to give him a ring and see if there was any possibility if he had any fish for sale.
toddhgr
01-08-2011, 2:05 PM
bump
user_name
01-08-2011, 2:13 PM
those are some pretty good deals, I can't wait to go!
fishorama
01-08-2011, 5:20 PM
It's fun but long day!
dirtydawg10
01-24-2011, 9:22 AM
It's a fun time but it depends on what you want. If it's fairly easy to breed or propagate there may well be some. Lots of cichlids, livebearers, killies, plants, used equipment. I may bring some stuff to donate, white worms seem popular & I think Martha lost hers. If you want selection go early, if you expect bargains, stay to the end...& don't bid me up!
HMMM...that looks a lot like what Fishorama posted in post #9...I thought I was having deja vu for a minute there.
vanillaXtiffy
01-24-2011, 3:57 PM
I wish our car would make it all the way out there, sounds like it's gonna be a blast!
thatthing1981
01-26-2011, 1:57 PM
I plan on going... sounds like a good time and only about 20 minutes away so...why not :D
fishorama
01-26-2011, 8:56 PM
Xiffy..where are you? I'm good for ai least 1 way...westbough, I-495 & the pike...let me know,...weather permitting, of course...I'm lame...
Jspigs
01-27-2011, 3:29 PM
I hope I can make it. The first time I heard about this auction I thought the acronym stood for "Potomac Valley Aquarium Society" which caused me to tell a member here I would definitely not be able to take in their Betta. Now it is only a maybe. Unless they have already found a home for it.
user_name
01-27-2011, 3:43 PM
He's still around, another member was planning on picking him up but I haven't heard anything for awhile.
Jspigs
02-03-2011, 7:10 PM
Unfortunately I just bought another Betta so I have no more tank space for another Betta, this means I will not be able to take your betta in UN. It was one of those "saw the fish in the store and had to have him" kind of things.
On the plus side I am probably going to make it to the auction.
vanillaXtiffy
02-04-2011, 9:10 AM
Xiffy..where are you? I'm good for ai least 1 way...westbough, I-495 & the pike...let me know,...weather permitting, of course...I'm lame...
I'm in Malden, but I may not even be in this state for much longer, so it's probably a no go anyway. Thanks though!
fishorama
02-04-2011, 6:02 PM
Yeah, me either, I won't be missing the snow this year :headshake2:. Might unload some extra stuff.
user_name
02-04-2011, 6:06 PM
Whats wrong with all the snow, so what if it's impossible to drive and my door is frozen shut! watching the beautiful fluffy white blamket slowly tumbe to earth iobviously makes it all worth it :liar:
fishorama
02-04-2011, 6:22 PM
It's all the **** ice dams at my house, 3 leaks, 1 luckily? under an empty tank on my coffee table, grrr.
user_name
02-16-2011, 9:32 PM
are ypu guys still going, I'm really gonna try to make it but I'm not 100% sure yet.
If I can go I plan on bringing my 2" Syno Ocellifer, he's a great fish but I don't think he'll last long with the other fish in my 55. (I'm worried that he'll get hungrier as he he grows) He has something wrong with one of his eyes, however he can still swim and eat fine and it doesn't look hideous. (Just kinda glassy in one eye) He's free to a good home.
fishorama
02-17-2011, 8:12 AM
Dang, looks like something else is that day too. I'm gonna have to pass.
dirtydawg10
02-17-2011, 8:15 AM
I'm going to be there. Hopefully I'll meet some of you there.
toddhgr
02-17-2011, 8:23 PM
I'll definetly be there. I'm be looking to score a whole bunch of tang. cichlids.
Kerry121774
02-18-2011, 9:44 AM
Oh yeah I always miss these!!! I'll definitely be there!!!! Oh yeah I'm excited! I'll have to check out what is involved with being a vendor because I have about 20 Apistogramma norberti that I've been growing out since August! Maybe I can off load some of those????
toddhgr
02-18-2011, 9:58 AM
you can check out their site at www.pvas.net . I'm pretty sure that you can either download a form and bring it with you or register at the hall.
BigFishKeeper
02-18-2011, 6:34 PM
are ypu guys still going, I'm really gonna try to make it but I'm not 100% sure yet.
If I can go I plan on bringing my 2" Syno Ocellifer, he's a great fish but I don't think he'll last long with the other fish in my 55. (I'm worried that he'll get hungrier as he he grows) He has something wrong with one of his eyes, however he can still swim and eat fine and it doesn't look hideous. (Just kinda glassy in one eye) He's free to a good home.
I'll take him I am going there.
I will be there. I am looking to selll my 2 small silverdollars if anyone is interested. I will give both to someone for 10 dollars.
Jspigs
02-19-2011, 2:27 PM
I am going to be there. My brother is planning to come too since he goes to college not too far from there.
user_name
02-19-2011, 8:00 PM
I'm not 100% if I'm going to be able to go, will update in the monring....
dirtydawg10
02-20-2011, 6:57 AM
I'll be the one with the PVAS name badge that says "Derek" on it. Come on over and say hi. I'll only be there until about 11:30am or so.
Jspigs
02-20-2011, 5:50 PM
I went there today and it was fun! I only bought 4 guppies and a bunch of raffle tickets for an aquarium setup. No word yet if I won the aquarium setup.
user_name
02-20-2011, 7:01 PM
sounds like you guys had a good time, wish I could've gone. By the time my ride showed up it was 4, so I figured it wouldn't be worth it to make the drive there and probobly miss it anyways. Oh well, I'll be at the next one...
toddhgr
02-20-2011, 8:53 PM
I had a blast and bought 3 WC Juli's, 4 Syno. petricolas, and was given 4 caudopunctatus. It was a good day.
dirtydawg10
02-21-2011, 8:06 AM
Glad you guys had fun. It was a great turnout. I didn't end up getting anything though. I was volunteering in the back room helping get the fish, plants, etc. checked in and out to the auction floor. Too bad I didn't get to meet any of you. Maybe another time. Or you could join PVAS and I'll see you once a month ;)
bgourami320
02-21-2011, 8:34 AM
That sounds like a great auction, you have venders at yours too! I belong to BAS and we have 2 big auctions 2x a year. The next one comes up in May. I'm going to suggest getting in a vendor or 2 and see what they say, can't hurt to ask. We have auctions every month after whatever guest speaker they have. The big auctions start at 8pm, no speaker and go on untill midnight, it's alot of fun. And if you're lucky whatever you wanted are still around late and you can get them for super cheap!
I mostly watched and stayed for a couple of hours. I convinced some friends to come and they stayed longer. The bidding was fast and furious - I was interested on a couple of mini cories and rcs but couldn't compete. It was a good experience; wish it was 2x / year but I can see it's a lot of work. I did get a nice piece of driftwood and moss from the vendor sponsor; his prices were very good I thought. Appreciate learning of this.
I heard about and am looking forward to hearing more about the coming NEC (?) convention in cromwell, ct this march. Northeast council of aquatic societies, is it?
I mostly watched and stayed for a couple of hours. I convinced some friends to come and they stayed longer. The bidding was fast and furious - I was interested on a couple of mini cories and rcs but couldn't compete. It was a good experience; wish it was 2x / year but I can see it's a lot of work. I did get a nice piece of driftwood and moss from the vendor sponsor; his prices were very good I thought. Appreciate learning of this.
I heard about and am looking forward to hearing more about the coming NEC (?) convention in cromwell, ct this march. Northeast council of aquatic societies, is it?
dirtydawg10
02-21-2011, 8:01 PM
Yes it is the NEC auction. Here's a link to their flier...
http://northeastcouncil.org/convention/images/stories/2010_Forms/poster.pdf
Kerry121774
02-22-2011, 11:05 AM
I wasn't able to go.................BUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!
2rivers
02-22-2011, 12:39 PM
I need to join a club, Im in South western NH I think NHs only club is on the coast so PVAS is closer. I dont have very reliable transpo.but I would love to meet up with some Mass folks. Ive been wanting to go to conventions for years but cant budget very long distance travel. Someday