Frag or colony, which is better to start?

[ERICinFL]

I'm slowly starting to get into SPS corals. I'm finally getting my HA problem under control and I wanted to know which is better to start with, frags or colonies. I know it's more economical to start with frags and I do have some small, encrusting, monti frags, but they don't seem to be growing. My alk and calc levels are good and the frags still appear healthy. If I were to buy colonies, would they do better? I'd like to get an Acro or two and I guess what I'm getting at is, will the colony be "stronger" and grow better than a frag, or is size a non-issue? Any comments will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Maximus]

This is an easy question. Frags will be much better, especially for a new system like yours.

 

[duec22]

I like to start with frags, mostly because I want to see the growth. However, I've also got a 29gal tank, so frags don't really get lost in the size. One other positive point for frags is that they are most likely captive grown, which means they will more easily accept captive conditions. From what I've head a lot of times a wild colony can have sever shipping issues that may end up being the death of it. However, with a large tank I would think that a couple of full colonies would be a must so that the tank does not look empty.

 

[h20cooled]

Frags all the way, a lot easier to attach to a rock, a lot cheaper, and you can put them where ever you want...

 

[Reeftoker]

Frags only , It is much easier to meet the requirments for a frag rather then a colony.

 

[SERVO]

The benefit of frags are as follows

-tank raised coral is much more stable and hardy than any wild caught colonies

-Frags are easier to treat in isolation

-Cheaper

-You are more than likely going to get what you buy. The majority of frags won't change color drastically. (MAJORITY!)

The benefits of colonies

Assuming the appropriate conditions are met, they grow like crazy and are ready to be fragged themselves. A frag may take a year, and then your frag is a small frag and you start from square one.

Acro crabs!

The biggest risks is you are more than likely to bring in a parasite from a colony than you are a frag. Chances are minimal that you will get AEFW's from a frag (not impossible, but very slim)

I have all captive grown frags in my 400 gallon! I love your avatar BTW.

 

[Unarce]

FRAGS!!

So much more rewarding to see the fruits of your labor

 

[RichConley]

I'm starting to think colonies from a financial perspective. A 3" single branch frag will cost you like $30. A big 4" multibranched colony will cost you like $75, and will be giving you frags that you can sell in a couple months.

 

[Ti]

I would prefer colonies

 

[Philwd]

Frags. Out of 55 corals bought only 5 were wild colonies. Of those 5; 2 survived. I have bought 50 frags. 3 died. I like the odds with frags much better. Plus they hold their color. And its my way of helping to lessen the pressure on the reefs. I love saying to friends I grew all these corals out from 1" frags. Blows them away every time.

Financially frags are more expensive on a size basis no question. I think it worth it.

 

[TCU Reefer]

With frags, the slightest growth would be much more noticable compared to a colony. The progress your frag is making can reassure you that you're doing something right.

 

[otolith]

Frags, by far, are the way I prefer to go. I probably have 5 wild colonies out of 100+ corals. Frags are more expensive, but I like the thought of growing out the coral and having it grow into your system.

 

[concept3]

frags. you'll have the benefit of growing and learning and eventually fragging when they grow up much more satisfaction.

 

[coker98]

frags are way hardier than wild colonies. unless the colony was grown from a frag then the price might go up on the colony.

 

[damienkee]

i vote for frag...

 

[fishdoc11]

Frags for the reasons listed above. IMO frags are also "programed" to adapt better to a change in conditions(to help it survive if a storm were to break one off in the wild and it were to come to rest in a different spot)and will transport much better.

Chris

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7549884#post7549884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coker98
frags are way hardier than wild colonies. unless the colony was grown from a frag then the price might go up on the colony.

IIRC, the initial question said nothing about wild vs captive raised. Just frags vs colonies.


I'm all about captive raised.

I just think the problem with frags is half the time I buy something and I get a 1/2" frag, and it takes a year to be half the size of the colony i could have bought for $40 more.

 

[REEF-DADDY]

I try to stick with frags from local reefers, most are in the 10-15 range if not a trade. The beauty of this is no shipping and less stress for the coral. Other than that I buy colonies when I find nice ones

 

[samsfishnchips]

ERICinFL,

I like them both, normally get bigger colonies of normal stuff, and fancy stuff, expensive, a frag and growth it out

with colony with you get a fast nice looking tank

with frags it takes substantially more time to get a nice looking tank

but since most people here vote for frags, let me give you a tip,
DON'T PACK the tank with a whole bunch of frags, give them ample space so as they growth they don't block each other
-see this mistake pretty common-

good discussion about in the " ... in a sps tank" threads,

good luck,

sam