Are designer corals a Fad?

[maroun.c]

We get frags, maybe cherry time at time we purchase, grow them into a mini colony size in 6-12 months typically. If things go well in 2 years time, if given the time and space they grow into huge colonies.

Then we come to the realization that those frags are not the latest, shiniest or greatest any more and we tend to have a closer look at the space the occupy in our space limited tanks and if it wouldn’t make sense to take them out and replace with the latest cherry frag that was released.

Please share your thoughts and if you end up removing corals from your tanks as they grow just to replace with more colorful or latest released named corals.

Also how do you handle corals or colonies that simply never color up perfectly across the years do you take them out or just let them be after they encrusted and grown into your other corals around them.

So share pics as well.

 

[ScottR]

We get frags, maybe cherry time at time we purchase, grow them into a mini colony size in 6-12 months typically. If things go well in 2 years time, if given the time and space they grow into huge colonies.

Then we come to the realization that those frags are not the latest, shiniest or greatest any more and we tend to have a closer look at the space the occupy in our space limited tanks and if it wouldn’t make sense to take them out and replace with the latest cherry frag that was released.

Please share your thoughts and if you end up removing corals from your tanks as they grow just to replace with more colorful or latest released named corals.

Also how do you handle corals or colonies that simply never color up perfectly across the years do you take them out or just let them be after they encrusted and grown into your other corals around them.

So share pics as well.

Funny you mention this. I set up my tank with frags only. Very few fully grown out ones. I spaced them apart knowing that eventually they’ll be stinging each other. My tank doesn’t look the prettiest at the moment (6 months old). It’s not densely packed like some people’s. But I like it and care for the corals and am happy the way they’re growing in. I’ve seen 3 month old tanks loaded with corals and you’d think their tank must be years old. But they will have to deal with the aspect of moving them, tossing or giving them away.

 

[ca1ore]

The hobby is not a fad (maybe mod can fix the thread title) overall, but I suppose designer coral might be.

 

[maroun.c]

but I suppose designer coral might be.

That's what I meant. Any more appropriate word I should use?

 

[ca1ore]

Title says fade not fad .....

 

[maroun.c]

Fixed!

 

[hockeyhead019]

I think it's a small percentage fad. I don't buy corals to re-sell after growing them out, or at least that's not one of my main goals. As a consmer I'll say there's definitely a sweet spot for a "cool looking" coral vs the cost.

 

[ca1ore]

Please share your thoughts and if you end up removing corals from your tanks as they grow just to replace with more colorful or latest released named corals.

I do not. Although I will, and have, paid sizable $$ for a rare-in-the-hobby fish; I don't do it for corals. Every now and then something comes along that tempts me, but mostly I just wait until the captive stock increases and the price falls. I do keep a few spots in my tank for unusual corals - but I mostly in trade with local reefers.

 

[tehmadreefer]

Designer corals have been around for about 7 years now, it isnt a fad. It's how people make money on selling corals, as it has a proven track record that it works and works very very well.

 

[Reefpuck]

I wait until the hype ends and theres enough sellers of a certain piece...then buy it.

 

[Hemmdog]

I find it very similar to high school kids wanting the newest and shiniest iPhone every year. Everyone wants a gold torch now, or a dragon soul, or a home wrecker, but 75% of the buyers can’t even tell you the scientific name of that coral or where it’s even from in the world. That’s the true tragedy I’m seeing in this hobby.
I even saw a vendor mislabel a indo gold torch as an aussi gold the other day, that’s so easy to ID! All for a few extra bucks..

 

[maroun.c]

How about corals that don't color up fine or simply ain't nice and have grown in ur tanks. Do u keep in tank or remove?
Have these 3 huge colonies
Frogskin

Tyree undata

And red robin in the back which never colored up in 3-4 years

I have already taken out few large colonies that didn't look nice and reseeded with nicer frags but taking out these as well would make tank look empty. Not to mention that these were very nice corals to have years back.

 

[Aardvark1134]

Proper light and water and the coral will be just as pretty as the day you bought it. Buy what you like instead of what others like and it will stay nice...just get bigger

 

[roberthu526]

I don’t think I will ever pull my old colonies out just for the new hit. I may frag them but throwing them out is crazy.

 

[o2manyfish]

Named corals have been around for 20 years. Cali Tort, Oregon Tort, Leng Sy Purple Rim, Purple Monster. And 20 years ago you knew what these corals were/are.

Today one colony gets broken up and sold to 6 different 'coral vendors' (imagine guy with 60g tank in his parent's garage) and each yahoo comes up with some name he thinks is the bomb. And now you have no idea what coral is what anymore.

But the bigger issue is, what difference does it make? I have had the opportunity to travel all over the country and around the world to look at some of the premier reef tanks out there.

A fully grown in mature reef tank is a thing of beauty. Have any of you seen a fully grown in tank of colorful SPS corals, and then seen a tank of fully grown in designer corals, grown from all $500+ priced frags -- and do you see the difference. Nope.

When you study the designer tank you might say - Oh is that a So n So.. Where did you get that from. But you sure can't look at a fully mature sps tank and say oh that one was $400, that one was $600 that one was $300. Because most of the time that crazy looking frag under only blue light is a) not recognizable with the real lights turned on and b) doesn't look the same when it's a full colony which now shades itself so the the crazy colors aren't as visible (if at all).

If you think you can pay for your hobby by buying expensive bits of corals and selling every nub that juts out from it... Well you really aren't going to be a hobbyist, your pretty much a coral pawn shop. And very few people ever really make money -- Face it this hobby is a drug, any money you think you make... you're out on the corner hustling another designer name of the day coral -- hoping it's not a white chunk of calc reactor media by the end of the month.

Dave B

 

[Sallstrom]

I think big is beautiful when it comes to corals
Many species don't show their natural growth pattern/shape until they are maybe 20-40 cm in diameter(that's also the size most Acropora gets sexually mature).
So my answer to the question if I remove large colonies would be no

Here's what a large Acropora staghorn colony can look like(we had to move it since we closed a tank for rebuilding).