Adding corals: one at a time or bulk

[Cbones1979]

Just a question to see what is the favored way to roll. With adding small frags and the wait game is it best to get them all around the same time to fill in together? Or slowly acclimate a few each month?

also, anyone like rock flower nems?

 

[Uncle99]

They all have different growth rates, some start quickly upon hitting the water, s9me begin after months.
I take my time and add here and there, looking for the best of colors, there’s a danger when adding at once, if something is “off” your going to lose a ton of money.

RFA’s.....love them.....have 10......great colour

Go slow....in everything in this hobby......

 

[Cbones1979]

Just wanted to check

just added 6 frags. I’ll wait awhile before adding more.

 

[FindingPonyo]

Just a question to see what is the favored way to roll. With adding small frags and the wait game is it best to get them all around the same time to fill in together? Or slowly acclimate a few each month?

also, anyone like rock flower nems?

If it is a new tank, I’d say one at a time because if your tank isn’t their properly with everything correct, you might kill all of the coral. See if one lives or dies after about 1-2 months, then buy in bulk

 

[Uncle99]

Sure, no issue, I like to shop, research, find healthy specimens, then buy.
I visit my LFS stores twice a month, good stuff does not last long.
I mean after all, the fun is in the build!

The issue in putting in too many is that the corals may consume all the nutrients and create a nutrients deficiencies.

 

[Cbones1979]

Sure, no issue, I like to shop, research, find healthy specimens, then buy.
I visit my LFS stores twice a month, good stuff does not last long.
I mean after all, the fun is in the build!

The issue in putting in too many is that the corals may consume all the nutrients and create a nutrients deficiencies.

Yeah I understand that part of it. Thanks again

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

I am part of the crowd that Qt's corals. So I typically go out and get a ton of frags and then put them together in a QT and keep a close eye on them. It seems to help inspire me to take them out and look at them with a hand lens for pest and what not when I have a lot of money invested in them.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I think it just depends. There's obviously a bioload issue at some point, but in most cases, I think it's fine to add in bulk. If we're talking frags, I'd say you can usually get away with at least 10 at a time without a problem in most tanks (possibly more depending on size and water volume, etc). Just be ready to monitor alk, cal, and mg consumption.

 

[Cbones1979]

Added 4, watched for a week, added 6 and watched for a week. Everything is plumping up and just tested all water parameters and all are in acceptable levels.
Getting a deal on some frags from local guy so going to add a few more

 

[MattDaReefer]

They all have different growth rates, some start quickly upon hitting the water, s9me begin after months.
I take my time and add here and there, looking for the best of colors, there’s a danger when adding at once, if something is “off” your going to lose a ton of money.

RFA’s.....love them.....have 10......great colour

Go slow....in everything in this hobby......

Epic tank!!

 

[Sarlindescent]

I tend to go the mass route. It really depends though. If you have never had corals, I absolutely do not recommend adding tons of corals. For a new tank, I would add some tester pieces after you think the tank is ready, specifically frags in your target stock list. So for a mixed reef, add a duncan, acan, frogspawn, monti, birdsnest, a hardy acro. Then I would wait a couple weeks to a month. Once I see good extension and a sign of growth, I have no concern adding large batches of frags.

My reasoning is that it is generally much cheaper to buy in bulk. I search craigslist, forums, and other sites daily. If I am going to drive a couple hours+ round trip and the guy has great prices, I will get 10-30 frags in a setting. If I am ordering online, many vendors will provide discounts on large purchases and you get the benefit of free shipping.

Lastly, vendor sales tend to occur at the same times. So Christmas, thanksgiving, July 4th, .... So I may order from multiple vendors at the same time. I prefer these shipments to arrive at the same time, so I only need to setup the dip stations one time. The most I have added on a single day is 40 odd pieces.

 

[R0C95]

So I have a newer tank. Water is super stable as I keep up with everything pretty well. However I am adding coral little by little just to be safe.

And yes. RFA'S Are awesome. Super hardy, good beginner nem, and oh so cool. I gotta learn to take photos of my tank, but heres my pink and blue (cant see the blue center because I cant take good photos yet) Ultra RFA. They say you dont need to spot feed these guys, but I like to anyway, its so cool to watch them eat.