Frag or Colony?

[Reef Pets]

I have noticed that most of the sites that sell coral offer mainly frags for sale. On the other hand most LFS offer colonies. I realize that frags are much easier and cheaper to ship. But, there are many people that have rather large reef tanks and putting a 3 polyp frag of zoas in a 200 gallon reef tank, well they can look a little lost.
When shopping for coral do you look for frags or colonies and why?
Gary

 

[Russellaqua]

Colonies. I'm impatient and like the look of colonies much better.

 

[sf_ramsden]

Frags, as they are cheaper to obtain and will grow over time.

 

[Tswifty]

When looking at polyps. In my experience frags are fine. 3 to 5 polyps usually seems to be a good number to grow from. I've started off with that amount with a few different types, and ended up with 25+ polyps in just a few months.

When looking at SPS corals. Colonies are difficult to find, however are much nicer to start with than frags. I no longer purchase SPS frags, unless it's a rare/high end piece where colonies can't be found.

 

[Azurel]

Both....It depends on the zoa or paly and how much either on is....Rics I do the same thing if I can find a small colony for the right price I will get it other wise its singles.

 

[scooternerd]

i shop for both. it just depends on the sysem they are going in

 

[Gimili the Great]

what ever is the better deal. be it a frag or a colony price per head is what it boils down to for me.

 

[phil_pl]

i go frags all the way i love watching them grow. its great to get up and see 2 new polys coming in on a 3 polyp frag

 

[amore169]

I shop for both also.

 

[DiscoReefRover]

i prefer colonies ...but they have gotten to be what we used to call frags over the last few years ....I rem when a acro frag was the size of what they call colonies today ....

 

[JR's Reef]

Both for me. It just all depends on what it it. SPS I want frags most of the time and everything else colonys if I can find them in colonys.

 

[laskopyre]

I like frag's. I guess it's based on what you are willing to pay, and the room that you have.

 

[droblack]

I prefer colonies, but get frags to grow out neat stuff when cannot get the whole colony.

 

[Mr Beardsley]

Frags. I can get more corals, but I have to be patient and wait for them to grow.

 

[Leishman]

I prefer frags as they grown in to a more natural look and are much easier to mount. I just wish venors would sell them price adjusted - a colony for sale @ $100 sould not be busted in to 10 frags @ $50. I understand a premium, got to cover labor costs along with supplies and losses, but same coral cut into 10 frags @ $25 is still a good deal for the seller (if they are set up to do the fragging etc...)

 

[ziggy]

Both. Prefer frags just to watch them grow and for ease of tank placement, but if the price is right, then I have to go with the colony.

 

[aerius007]

I like frags because they grow into their surroundings appropriately and colonies can be hard to find unless you know somebody taking apart their tank.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Frags but i have a smaller tank than most here

 

[Oimate84]

I prefer frags in my 125. Other then "captive-grown" sps frags being less likely to lose colors & RTN then wild SPS, I like the fact that I can be proud my frags grew into colonies and not just started off a big size to begin with.

Oh and when I say frags, not talking about wild colonies being chopped up right away but frags from colonies that have been settled in for some time or grown out from frags themselves.

 

[mheaven]

frags for me, that way i can say. it use to be this size(1") now its about 6" in diameter.