War Coral....Different Colors Different Growth?

[VR28man]

Hey All,

Do different colors of war coral require different lighting/conditions?

I have a war coral (red/purple pentagons with green centers) which I'm trying to grow, boulder/brain/massive style, from the sandbed. It probably is growing, but is growing slowly.

Part of me wants to frag a bit, but it on a rock, and let it encrust. Partially to try the other, encrusting form, but partially to see if my water conditions are right (I'm told they grow much quicker as encrusting coals, and my experience suggests that's true. I had some encrusting on a frag plug, but it blew over into the sand and by the time I noticed it the 5-6 tiny polyps were all dead ) BUT.......

I don't have an appropriate dremel, and getting the stuff will be like $40-50.

At that point, I might as well get another frag . I could get another frag of the same color. (honestly, I think all the above is trying to rationalize getting a new frag )

BUT, part of me is also tempted to try different colors. But the other part thinks that won't tell me anything; different colors of war coral might require different amounts

Or, maybe, a different encrusting coral - maybe an encrusting porites or monti?.......

decisions, decisions.....

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Generally, different corals within the same group name, such as war corals, all have the same requirements. The only instance that I can think of where this may not be true is in larger and broader groups such as Acros and Zoas but in the end it all really matters on how well they are acclimated to different lighting and water conditions.