Thoughts on ORA coral? How about Boom?

Gregg @ ADP · Oct 25, 2018

I used to get stuff from them way, way back when, but they were relatively new and sometimes had trouble filling orders.

Haven’t thought about them in awhile, but just looked at their site. Their stuff really looked good, and they had a nice variety.

What are your experiences with ORA stuff? Sizes? Colors? Success rate?

Boom is another option, as it’s a fairly close drive for me. How is their stuff?

Thanks.

pdiehm · Oct 25, 2018

Gregg @ ADP said:
I used to get stuff from them way, way back when, but they were relatively new and sometimes had trouble filling orders.

Haven’t thought about them in awhile, but just looked at their site. Their stuff really looked good, and they had a nice variety.

What are your experiences with ORA stuff? Sizes? Colors? Success rate?

Boom is another option, as it’s a fairly close drive for me. How is their stuff?

Thanks.

Boom is awesome. It was the first sps that I was able to keep alive but I screwed up. Will not hesitate to go there again

Coastie Reefer · Oct 25, 2018

ORA is wholesale only.

Gregg @ ADP · Oct 25, 2018

Coastie Reefer said:
ORA is wholesale only.

Yep. I’ve got an account, but haven’t ordered from them in probably 13 years.

Coastie Reefer · Oct 25, 2018

Gregg @ ADP said:
Yep. I’ve got an account, but haven’t ordered from them in probably 13 years.

In that case, everything I’ve seen from them has been good. I used to live in The Tampa area and there were ORA frags in most stores. That’s been about 5 years though. Don’t see them where I’m at now.

Gregg @ ADP · Oct 25, 2018

Coastie Reefer said:
In that case, everything I’ve seen from them has been good. I used to live in The Tampa area and there were ORA frags in most stores. That’s been about 5 years though. Don’t see them where I’m at now.

What were the sizes like? Decent prices for the size and color? I realize the price is more on the retailer, but I can get at least get an idea.

Thanks.

Coastie Reefer · Oct 25, 2018

It all depended on what you bought and SPS sales have skyrocketed since then. Take a look at liveaquaria. They retail ORA frags. From what I’ve read the frags are decent, not nubs by any means.

jda · Oct 25, 2018

If you can meet an ORA minimum, then you will be happy. You have to spend a lot in order to get some of their best stuff.

Boom is great too. Honest and quality frags at really good prices.

Coastie Reefer · Oct 25, 2018

I’ve never bought from Boom, but people praise them left and right. I’ve bought from Adam at Battlecorals and those are legit frags for sure!

happyhourhero · Oct 25, 2018

I would do Battlecorals or Boom over ORA but that’s just me.

CNDReef · Oct 25, 2018

If you live by boom , I’d go check them out. I haven’t ordered from the new owner but know the other owner got a lot of corals from the new owner and they’re very nice sized frags.

Gregg @ ADP · Oct 25, 2018

Coastie Reefer said:
I’ve never bought from Boom, but people praise them left and right. I’ve bought from Adam at Battlecorals and those are legit frags for sure!

I like the idea of Boom b/c I can drive there. I just looked at the website and they at least give you an actual measurement to correspond with size.

Gregg @ ADP · Oct 25, 2018

happyhourhero said:
I would do Battlecorals or Boom over ORA but that’s just me.

What would your reasons be, if you don’t mind me asking?

Gregg @ ADP · Oct 25, 2018

happyhourhero said:
I would do Battlecorals or Boom over ORA but that’s just me.

Looks like Battle isn’t too far away, either. I do some trout fishing in that area.

CNDReef · Oct 25, 2018

Your one lucky dude to have those two at driving distance

happyhourhero · Oct 25, 2018

Gregg @ ADP said:
What would your reasons be, if you don’t mind me asking?

Mostly because Adam is awesome, grows healthy and diverse sps, makes it fun with battleboxes, has healthy frags, good sized frags, etc.

Nothing against ORA, they would just be my last choice of the three.

Gregg @ ADP · Oct 25, 2018

happyhourhero said:
Mostly because Adam is awesome, grows healthy and diverse sps, makes it fun with battleboxes, has healthy frags, good sized frags, etc.

Nothing against ORA, they would just be my last choice of the three.

I hear ya. Looking at the ORA list, and the prices look decent. Problem is, I don’t have a frame of reference. No measurements and...let’s be honest...everybody’s corals look amazing in pics. The rubber meets the road when it’s right in front of your face.

I think I’ll set up a visit to Boom next week, since I’ve got a client about 30 min away, so it’s an easy jump up there.

jda · Oct 25, 2018

Would they be your last choice if you got wholesale prices? ORA sells wholesale only to those that have accounts. ORA will have good sized pieces, but so will Boom or Adam. You cannot go wrong with any of these.

Gregg @ ADP · Oct 25, 2018

jda said:
Would they be your last choice if you got wholesale prices? ORA sells wholesale only to those that have accounts. ORA will have good sized pieces, but so will Boom or Adam. You cannot go wrong with any of these.

Would who be my last choice?

mtraylor · Oct 25, 2018

Well first and far most. Let me star off by saying.... I like them both. You cant go wrong buying from either...but you can only buy directly from BOOM.

Now I really dont think you can even compare the 2 though. They are in different jandra's per say.

ORA
I believe their main focus is aquaculture fish, inverts, clams, etc. While ORA has a very limited assortment of sps. They have had the same colonies for many years such as one of the most beautiful corals IMO the "Pearl Berry" which I think they lost their mother colony some time back. The corals are all very good, clean and beautiful. Probably the hardiest you will fine. You cant go wrong in choosing one. I think their main market is for LFS's and to get new hobbyst started in SPS. You cant buy directly from them as far as I know, so when I was purchasing their frags many years ago.....I would go the LFS and purchase them directly in the floating bag because I didnt want them to go into their inadequate systems at that time. I wasn't even aware they still sold them till I saw your thread LOL.

BOOM
Boom corals is great. As a matter of fact, I believe the owner was one of us at one time and wanted to take all their skills and knowledge in corals and created Boom Corals. I think their main focus is to supply not only to us hard core reefers with new and exciting corals but also have something for everyone including the new hobbyist. They cater to the customer and your buying experience. Their corals are healthy and colorful. Not to mention their prices are great and they have a great guarantee on their product. This is hard to find. I have ordered several times from boom and everything was great from start to finish. You can buy direct from them, and they will have all the new exciting corals that everyone is looking for. You can also ping them and make requests. Great company.

Anyway. Hope this helps show the difference. Both great. Recommend buying products from both.

Michael Llabona · Oct 25, 2018

Boom is great! And if you are close by you'll at least know what you are getting. ORA obviously has some of the most hardy pieces in the hobby. I hate the ORA frag plugs though. I end up having to frag the frag and mount them myself. ORA has also gone up in price within the last year. No data to support other than I got some of their frags for 30-40 last year and now they start at 50 or so