buying frags vs bigger corals

[flobup]

just curious if anyone has any opinons on this? my tank is pretty new (4 months) but I want this big torch colony and a large hammer colony as I have the extra the money to just buy the bigger ones

 

[ccombs]

just curious if anyone has any opinons on this? my tank is pretty new (4 months) but I want this big torch colony and a large hammer colony as I have the extra the money to just buy the bigger ones

Really depends on the reefer.

It is instant gratification of having a great tank vs. satisfaction of knowing that you grew something from pretty much the ground up and kept it alive.

It is a personal decision.

For me, there are some pieces I plan to buy already grown out so my tank can have a more established look early on. I also plan on buying some frags so I can have that long term satisfaction. It is about balancing both desires for me.

 

[Hemmdog]

I like frags, spend the extra money on nicer frags.

 

[SPR1968]

I think if you have a new tank, the larger corals can help fill the void when you start out so I can understand the desire to purchase them

Once you have an established system, I personally have found that whenever I buy a large expensive coral, like £100-125 (GBP) they often don’t survive more than a few months before they start suffering. I took me a while to realise this, as I continued spending more money on these large colonies. Maybe it’s because they have become accustomed to other water for to long, or whatever else.

Nowadays I generally only buy small frags as I prefer to watch them grow in my system from the start, and they generally do much better and I have some large colonies now that I’ve grown from very small frags.

 

[flobup]

ok thanks for the input. I have a few frags and a pretty large GSP, my hammer frag is growing nicely and my zoas have developed a couple new heads. my tank seems to be stable as is but I was just really curious as to if adding such larger colonies that it would throw the parameters off and stress all of other corals out,,, I just really want this nice big torch colony as a show piece for my young tank.

 

[w2inc]

Some corals are more sensitive to water flow. My experience is that things like birds nest grow in reaction to water flow and light. Tight bushy colonies or loose branches. I do best with frags and leave them in place, let them grow they way they do best. Others, like euphyllia don't really seem to care in my system. I would feel ok adding a large colony to my tank. I would pay attention to lighting and watch for color and expansion shifts.

 

[flobup]

Some corals are more sensitive to water flow. My experience is that things like birds nest grow in reaction to water flow and light. Tight bushy colonies or loose branches. I do best with frags and leave them in place, let them grow they way they do best. Others, like euphyllia don't really seem to care in my system. I would feel ok adding a large colony to my tank. I would pay attention to lighting and watch for color and expansion shifts.

alrighty, I have pretty good lights on my tank, 3 kessil 160s.. 55 gallon tank

 

[flobup]

https://www.corals.com/product/neon-marbled-branching-hammer-australia-big/ look at this beauty tho lol

 

[w2inc]

https://www.corals.com/product/neon-marbled-branching-hammer-australia-big/ look at this beauty tho lol

It does look awesome. I haven't had trouble with medium size Euphyllia acclimating in my SPS tank. I keep them on the floor in the areas that have back eddies. My husband thinks they are the best think in the tank. If you can afford to roll the dice, then go for it! The risk is part of my love of the hobby..