method of buying: FRAG OR COLONY

[evoIX_Reefer]

I think I want to go a different route this time and just buy a colony or two a month. I previously bought by the frag and take forever to plump up to a happy colony.

I know there is a bigger risk if you lose a colony than a frag so it might be a *itch if you lose a colony instead.



I'd like to know how many people decided on what?

pros and cons

 

[jaa1456]

You might want to do both, a colony of certain corals will not cost that much, but a colony of others might break the bank lol.

 

[basiab]

I prefer colonies. I don't like a tank that looks like an LFS with stuff for sale. I like the reef look. There are plenty of opportunities here on MR to go that route.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Remember there is a feeling of satisfaction in growing a frag into a colony and less of an impact on nature.

 

[Zuska]

Remember there is a feeling of satisfaction in growing a frag into a colony and less of an impact on nature.

def agree on this one I like buying a frag and seeing it grow into a big colony. yes it takes time and alot of it but thats the point of this hobby, is to settle down with what corals you want and grow them out. Its almost like a garden. you seed the plant and watch them grow out.

 

[topmav1]

def agree on this one I like buying a frag and seeing it grow into a big colony. yes it takes time and alot of it but thats the point of this hobby, is to settle down with what corals you want and grow them out. Its almost like a garden. you seed the plant and watch them grow out.

+1. I also am looking for larger corals and I can't really find anything local for reasonable prices. But, I have bought frags and granted its a while now but seeing them kind of grow comfortable in the tank and color up is nice.

 

[James]

Everything in my tank started as a frag, most are now larger frags Or what some people call mini-colonies. I agree with the members who said that it is much more satisfying to watch them grow and mature. Buying a fully mature colony is kindof like adopting an adult in my opinion... pointless but the hobby is different things for different people so to each his own. The environmental impact of frags is less as well (as has been noted).

 

[anthony27]

I am a little nervous buying colonies, I have a 40 so space is tight :/

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[basiab]

Well I have a 24 gallon and stay with LPS. By colony I mean something a 2-4 inches instead of a plug. I have rarely been able to grow a colony from a frag. Most of what I get stays the same size. I have had a few that have grown and a few that just withered away.

 

[CONSTANTNE]

I say both. Some expensive rare coral you can only get as frags but at the same time colonies will grow faster and look better from the start!

 

[Alex]

I prefer frags because in different tanks a frag will grow according to the parameters, water movement, lighting and a few other categories. Knowing this, a tank at a constant 76 degrees will have a different looking colony from a tank lets say at a constant 80 degrees. This is just an example, I like seeing how my husbandry skills have grown a frag into a colony.

With this in mind a colony purchased might take a different look in the home tank.

 

[wonderballz]

I agree with Chief, watching corals grow from frags is very satisfying. When the time comes, I will pass on the savings that other members have given me.

 

[leeit2me]

Thats the challenge of setting up reef tank. To see if you can take a little tiny frag to grow it to a colony. That's how I see the goal of keeping a reef tank. I don't want someone else husbandry with the coral, I want something that I said I took care of it and look at it now..

 

[evoIX_Reefer]

I understand the satisfaction point and will probably do more rare corals as frags and see the point and pros but the con of waiting annoys me the most.

I personally like to buy my corals from locals which now have moved onto being vendors like kelvin and jason. So obviously i've chosen to buy my stock from good people.

thanks for the great advice and information thus far.


Is it really preferable to wait for a frag to grow over a period of 1 year into a colony that can cover up your tank? I think going straight into a colony will help cover spots and will reduce the want or need to fill in the canvas of art of aquascape.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Remember that colony is going to grow as well

 

[tangmaniac]

and also you have to be carefull when you buy a collony specially wild one that might have pest on it,

 

[Mattl22]

Alex hit the nail on the head IMO when u pu a frag in ur tank it will grow the way it wants in ur tank to get the best flow / light and will be more forgiving to ur parameters a colony won't have those benifits

 

[Jzhou]

I also agree that it is fun watching frags grow. But at the same time I think it depends on the type of coral you are looking for. Generally I go for frags of softies and colonies of the slower growing hard stuff.

 

[anthony27]

It's awsom to see a frag grow and if u bought it from a member and you show them the then and now pictures awsom feeling. You have me all beat cause I have a 40 breeder so growing frags is a pain lol well just becomes very tight so a colony is like Godzilla iny tank lol.

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[JARRETT SHARK]

remember there is a feeling of satisfaction in growing a frag into a colony and less of an impact on nature.

+1