Any "Cheap" Places to by zoa colonies?

slipondajimmy · Feb 23, 2009

Hey everyone,

I am sure this is asked time and time again. I have mostly frags in my tank and I would like to get 1 or 3 decent looking colonies to fill it out a bit. They do not have to be "SUPER XXX to the 3rd power, Magical green overload palys" or anything like that.

Just some decent looking colorful examples. Anyone have any suggestions?

Ladipyg · Feb 23, 2009

You are in Orlando...there have got to be a dozen LFS in the area...just start hunting and looking for those hidden treasures...I bought this "browned out" zoa colony that was sitting at an LFS in the area...after a month they let it go for $20. I was looking for potential...after 3 weeks in my tank it is coloring up beautiful and getting a light blue ring. It's a people eater for sure..look for striping on the outside of the polyp to confirm PE status. You can find some real bargains with a little foot work and making friends at your LFS...learn what day shipments come in and hit them the day after for the best finds. I can share this with you cause I don't live in Orlando :smile:

There are over 50 polyps on this beauty, most over 1/2".

EliteReefs · Feb 23, 2009

like said above just go look. there are a TON of really nice rocks at al the local shops in Tampa oralndo areas. i dont know what you consider cheap but almost any day of the week you can get eagles or dragon eyes in rather large rocks in the 60 dollar range. lots of pink and yellow running around out there right now anywhere from 40-100 bucks.

slipondajimmy · Feb 23, 2009

Sure there are a few places around Orlando. I have talked to at least one that does a lot of frags, but they wanted $150 for a 4x4 colony that you could not give away.

I guess when I say cheap I mean from 50-$80. I did find one place online. I think it was called extreme corals ? Anyone use them?

Titan$ · Feb 23, 2009

Yeah I have used them. Great people. Just be careful with pictures so you are not depressed once they arrive. Also if possible have them hold if for a couple days so that it can chill out from the stress of them receiving them. It seems that they come in pretty hammered and stressed out from Extreme. I have used them multiple times and have been happy with some of the stuff received.

slipondajimmy · Feb 23, 2009

So they are getting them and posting them for sale in one shot? No QT or anything, just get them out the door?

Titan$ said:
Yeah I have used them. Great people. Just be careful with pictures so you are not depressed once they arrive. Also if possible have them hold if for a couple days so that it can chill out from the stress of them receiving them. It seems that they come in pretty hammered and stressed out from Extreme. I have used them multiple times and have been happy with some of the stuff received.

EliteReefs · Feb 23, 2009

slipondajimmy said:
So they are getting them and posting them for sale in one shot? No QT or anything, just get them out the door?

unless your talking about frags you can apply that statment to much of the hobby. sad but true

Titan$ · Feb 23, 2009

I am not trying to bad mouth them in any way, but yes... This is why some people stick strictly to frags that have grown out or been in tanks awhile.

slipondajimmy · Feb 23, 2009

EliteReefs said:
unless your talking about frags you can apply that statment to much of the hobby. sad but true

Gotcha. So I should just buy 50 frags from you and wait for them to grow into HUGE colonies. At least this way I know they are A1

EliteReefs · Feb 23, 2009

slipondajimmy said:
Gotcha. So I should just buy 50 frags from you and wait for them to grow into HUGE colonies. At least this way I know they are A1

haha you could look at it that way lol.

you also have WWC right in your back **** which is a GREAT store. then if you want to make a trip come to tampa and visit Coral Corral. Also a very very nice store.

slipondajimmy · Feb 23, 2009

I was at WWC a about 2 weeks ago. I love that place. The only drawback is there is always to much stuff to look at. Tons of frags of just about everything. I should see what they have in the way of colonies

Ladipyg · Feb 24, 2009

Easiest way to find corals is to join a local Marine Aquarium club and then keep an eye out on their website. When members are moving, down sizing or just looking to make a change they will often sell very nice colonies at good prices. Example, I had to get out of the hobby for a couple of years and sold this colony for $50 to a club member. It had way over 100 polyps on it. The nice thing, when I got back in, I got a frag of them for free as payback...