Hammer. Frogspawn or Torch?

[FTDelta]

I first posted this in Softies forums by mistake. So now I want to hear from you guys.

Which of the three are the easiest to keep? I'm reading different things particularly the Torch coral and Hammer coral not being the hardiest of the three. Thoughts?

Considering the Hammer corals are branching types better?

 

[jdizine]

Branching corals are easier to frag from what I understand. I thought all three were about the same as far as ease of keeping.

 

[E.intheC]

In my experience, torch corals are a bit more sensitive to water quality issues than hammer and frogspawn. Torch corals also tend to be more aggressive and like a bit more light than the other two.

 

[syrinx]

Frogspawn are by far the easiest, and torch are by far the strongest stingers and threat to other corals. All of them should be of equal ease if healthy and not damaged in collection and shipping, But the frogs tend to be better at healing- and thus give that second chance to novice keepers.

 

[FTDelta]

Frogspawn are by far the easiest, and torch are by far the strongest stingers and threat to other corals. All of them should be of equal ease if healthy and not damaged in collection and shipping, But the frogs tend to be better at healing- and thus give that second chance to novice keepers.

That's why I was asking if they were more of the hardier of the 3. I do know torch, frogspawn and hammers can live in close proximity of each other as deadly as they are resistance of each and their stings.

Looks like I've narrow down to adding a frogspawn to my coral list. Thank you!

 

[j.p. harrington]

yea i agree frogspawn is the easiest to keep torch being the more picky one and hammer being somewhere in between as far as growth frogspawn also seems to have a higher rate of growth also.

they can be in extremely close proximity if i had a good pick you would see that all my sand bed basically is is one huge euphyllia mix they all touch hammer torch frogspawn branching and walls it doesnt matter

now you want to keep a good 4" between them and other corals though

 

[FTDelta]

Reading up in frogspawns I've always wondered just how much space is best between corals. Now I know and thank you.

 

[yaridong]

agreed. frogspawn is the easiest then hammer.

 

[Dexters Reef]

I keep a 4" frogspawn and a 4-5" torch, and both are pretty easy. The torch is a pain becuase the sweepers are VERY long, and at times the coral extends to be around 8"

The torch started as a 1" tiny frag around 7 months ago, it has grown very fast and required me to move it several times, as 7-8" sweepers can sting anything they touch.

I would reccomend the frogspawn, mine doesnt release sweepers anywhere near as long, and the coral itself is very nice. I feed it some mysis directly about once a week, but it also grabs whatever it catches during the daily feedings of my fish

 

[FishNutty]

I never knew you could have torch touching frogspawn and hammer! That's awesome.
I've kept all three, and have had good luck with them all. I guess the torch might be a bit more finicky, but it's all shades of the same color for me.
One thing would be, as far as space goes, the hammer would take up less room and be more compact, and then the frogspawn. Although the last few years I've seen a ton of torch with really short tentacles that would negate the sweeper problem.

 

[chrisfont23]

I have an abundance of both Torch and Hammer corals in my tank. The torch will sting the hammer corals. I get about 7-8 inches out of some of the tentacles too. Here is a shot of mine and you can see where I placed one of the 5 or so branching hammers I have. Low to medium indirect flow works the best. IMO, an MP10 or MP40 on reefcrest mode makes these very happy