Top or Side View when Buying Coral Online?

[ReefStable Verified Sponsor]

When buying coral online, do you prefer to see coral from the side or top down?

Top-Down usually looks the nicest, and from the side is usually what you'll see in your tank.
Some coral like zoas and encrusting coral are pretty much always going to be top-down, but what about torches, hammers, acros, branching coral, etc.?

I Know "Both" is the favorite, but let's assume that's not an option.

Examples:
Top Down

Side View:

 

[The_Paradox]

IMHO, top down shows you what you want to see, side shows you what you need to see.

 

[Cell]

If I have to choose just one, I need a side view, especially with euphyllia to see any signs of tissue recession.

 

[Cell]

IMHO, top down shows you what you want to see, side shows you what you need to see.

Perfect way to say it.

 

[VintageReefer]

Side view

 

[Mr_Knightley]

Depends on the coral for me. I ALMOST always prefer side view, but for large LPS like lobos, Cynarina, etc I prefer a top view. In a perfect world there would be a bottom view as well to track recession and pests.

 

[ReefStable Verified Sponsor]

Before I call this research "Done", does anyone else have thoughts?

Current results seem to be:
- Ecrusting / Zoas / Acans / Meat Coral => more top-down to see the coral
- Everything else => Side view is best!

When in doubt, how will you see it in the tank.

Does that sound like a fair summary?