Oregon Tort

trevorhiller · Jul 17, 2022

How hardy is Oregon tort in your experience? I’ve heard some people say it can be slow grower, but I assume since it’s been in the hobby so long it’s a hardier SPS. Do you find that to be the case?

It’s on my list of must have corals, but I don’t want to kill it. I’ve currently got a few SPS pieces and LPS in the tank that seem to be growing and are doing well.

anything you’d recommend before trying this? Tell me about your experience!

Eldredge · Jul 17, 2022

The first frag I got was probably put in to a new system a little soon, and it RTN’d the first night. The second frag I got has done very well and is a fairly fast grower for me. I am quite confident that the frags I got trace back to Upscales in Portland. I’m not sure if everything out there that claims to be Oregon tort is the same.

trevorhiller · Jul 17, 2022

Eldredge said:
The first frag I got was probably put in to a new system a little soon, and it RTN’d the first night. The second frag I got has done very well and is a fairly fast grower for me. I am quite confident that the frags I got trace back to Upscales in Portland. I’m not sure if everything out there that claims to be Oregon tort is the same.

I suspect you’re right. I’ve seen a lot a pictures of “Oregon tort” that don’t look anything like pictures from years ago. If I buy one, I’m definitely going to buy from someone reputable.

I see top shelf aquatics has some CTO frags available. I’m not in a hurry, but it’s on my wish list. Love the blue coloration, but don’t want to kill it either since I’m new to SPS.

BirdFish5000 · Jul 17, 2022

You'll get a healthy frag if you buy from TSA, but it will be <tiny>

Lavey29 · Jul 17, 2022

I've got 2 frags in my tank now about 4 months doing well but the frag up high seems better then the one a few inches lower.

sam.veilleux30 · Jul 17, 2022

Got my frag 12/2020 and it’s still looking fine and was able to survive last year troubles.
Slow growth so far.

sam.veilleux30 · Jul 17, 2022

I might cut the central branch tip to see if that induce growth.

hart24601 · Jul 17, 2022

I had fast growth with mine. 1 year apart. Took off much faster after this too.

DivingTheWorld · Jul 17, 2022

IMO it’s bulletproof. It’s one of the first acros I put in our tank years ago. It’s survived all kinds of mistakes including an acro crash about 5 years ago that killed almost all of our colonies. I find the easiest way to tell if it’s a legit frag is if it has green on it. It should be solid blue, no green.

homer1475 · Jul 19, 2022

I find it a rather slow grower for me, but very bullet proof.

Daniel@R2R · Jul 19, 2022

I love the Oregon tort. One of my favorite sticks!

trevorhiller · Jul 19, 2022

homer1475 said:
I find it a rather slow grower for me, but very bullet proof.

Slow is ok with me, as long as I can keep it alive. I feel a lot more confident getting all this feedback.

Gho5t · Jul 20, 2022

trevorhiller said:
How hardy is Oregon tort in your experience? I’ve heard some people say it can be slow grower, but I assume since it’s been in the hobby so long it’s a hardier SPS. Do you find that to be the case?

It’s on my list of must have corals, but I don’t want to kill it. I’ve currently got a few SPS pieces and LPS in the tank that seem to be growing and are doing well.

anything you’d recommend before trying this? Tell me about your experience!

Just picked up a frag of this on Monday. Super excited to grow this one out. I’ve always heard they were slow growers but it’s great to hear that most people think they’re hardy.

trevorhiller · Jul 20, 2022

Gho5t said:
Just picked up a frag of this on Monday. Super excited to grow this one out. I’ve always heard they were slow growers but it’s great to hear that most people think they’re hardy.

Keep me in mind! I’d love to see growth pictures when it takes off!

McPuff · Jul 20, 2022

Oregon tort is one that I wanted for a long time... only got a frag about 3 years ago and to be honest it was really pale and I didn't realize it was Oregon tort until about a week later when it virtually started to glow. It's possibly the most eye-catching coral in my tank because of how bright it is. BLUE through and through, nothing else. I find it to be quite hardy and for me it grows quite fast. I actually split my colony into 3 [still large] colonies over 6 months ago... had to move the one piece I kept so it would have more space. Very cool coral!

X-37B · Jul 20, 2022

I have one in all 3 systems and they grow well. Here is a colony pic from my old 120. I have many frags from these and they all grow quickly once they encrust.

Glenner’sreef · Jul 20, 2022

February 2019 to August 2020. So a year and a half growth. I don’t have it today as I have a new larger tank with a new aqua scape. Still in the building and maturing phase. A great coral though. Definitely on the list.

bobnicaragua · Jul 21, 2022

Slow grower for me.

trevorhiller · Jul 21, 2022

bobnicaragua said:
Slow grower for me.

How do your tank parameters run? What kind of lighting/positioning are you using?
That’s quite the boat load of coralline algae!

spsick · Jul 21, 2022

One of my hardiest and surprisingly fastest growing corals. Mine has survived several moves and destabilizing events that “hardier” acros died from.

My alk always seems to end up around 7dkh and it seems to really like that.