Saw a red dragon at lfs

Eddie7144 · Jul 19, 2016

Hey all, just looking for and opinions, I saw a red dragon at my local store, they are asking 60 or 70 bucks for it. It's about 2 1/2 inches tall but it's not deep red more pinkish, should I get it ?

LakeCityReefs · Jul 19, 2016

I notice that sps color differently in various setups. I would take a look at the lights they are using, where they have it placed in the tank, and ask them how long they have had it and what their parameters are.
If you like the way this coral typically grows out then I say go for it.

FYI pale sps usually means it's in a low nutrient state. A little time and tlc could hold some nice rewards for you =)

CoralNerd · Jul 19, 2016

It really shouldn't be called red dragon in my opinion. It's a nice coral to have however.

Mike_J · Jul 19, 2016

I love the red dragon acropora but I've never been able to keep one in my reef long term. I've made several attempts and have lost them all to R/STN. It seems to be an extraordinarily delicate acropora. Boo. That price seems to be within the general price range I've seen.

Seth401 · Jul 19, 2016

Seems a tiny bit high. This corals has grown pretty well for me and been very hardy. I added it when my tank was about 3 1/2 old. Then and now pics and I've fragged it quite a few times!

And a few days ago....

Seth401 · Jul 19, 2016

I meant 3 1/2 months. So this is about 9 months of growth, minus some frags. Close to the bottom under 4x24 led powermodule

coralbeauties · Jul 19, 2016

my favorite part about this coral is the small delicate branching growth pattern. Mine is almost on the bottom of the tank and maintains a deep brown/red coloration with pink growth tips.
Jeff

Seth401 · Jul 19, 2016

Mine stays a nice pinkish red. If I let nitrates get sucked up and get close to zero it turns a very light pink

Macdaddynick1 · Jul 19, 2016

Eddie7144 said:
Hey all, just looking for and opinions, I saw a red dragon at my local store, they are asking 60 or 70 bucks for it. It's about 2 1/2 inches tall but it's not deep red more pinkish, should I get it ?

Are they using T5s , because my lfs also has one under the t5s its super dark red, and is mine under the LEDs its pinkish red, also the growth tips are usually pinkish white and the body gets much darker. I wish you were closer, i sell 2" frags for about $10-15. Side note , don't dip it in anything but bayer , because all the other dips will RTN it.

GoJimmy · Aug 20, 2016

Seth401 said:
Mine stays a nice pinkish red. If I let nitrates get sucked up and get close to zero it turns a very light pink

I got this small piece from a fellow reefer. It hasn't grown or changed color but is encrusting the rubble rock I put it on. It's at med light and high flow. NO3 is 2 and PO4 is .03. It has looked like this for about 3 months. Any suggestions to get it to grow? I'm feeding Acropower, Marine Snow, and reef frenzy. Light is a chinese led at 50%b and 50%w on for 12 hours\day

Blitzie · Aug 20, 2016

It hasn't grown in how long. Normally Red Dragon grow at a pretty good rate. Are you seeing any PE after lights out

nemo1017 · Aug 20, 2016

Got a nice frag from Seth a little over a week ago. It's a bright red in my tank near the bottom under t5s. Nitrates run 5-10. Starting to get polyp extension.

GoJimmy · Aug 20, 2016

Blitzie said:
It hasn't grown in how long. Normally Red Dragon grow at a pretty good rate. Are you seeing any PE after lights out

I get a little p.e. at lights out. Just the tips though. I have had to dose to keep nitrates up and I have been trying to keep stable at 2. All my other sps have responded quickly showing great color and growth, but this little guy has done nothing. Do you think it needs more light? It's at mid point in the tank

GoJimmy · Aug 20, 2016

Also, it's getting hit on both sides with flow. I've read that it likes less flow

scardall · Aug 20, 2016

Mike_J said:
I love the red dragon acropora but I've never been able to keep one in my reef long term. I've made several attempts and have lost them all to R/STN. It seems to be an extraordinarily delicate acropora. Boo. That price seems to be within the general price range I've seen.

Do not touch with you skin or expose it to air. I have had your luck as well.

Seth401 · Aug 20, 2016

I don't think it needs more light. I have a frag right now that's in the back right corner of my tank. Has to be pretty low par and it actually has the best color of the other red dragon frags. This acro too me doesn't seem to like high light

Seth401 · Aug 20, 2016

nemo1017 said:
Got a nice frag from Seth a little over a week ago. It's a bright red in my tank near the bottom under t5s. Nitrates run 5-10. Starting to get polyp extension.

Color looks good man!