Large colonies of sps

[noobtothereef]

So im looking for some pictures of LARGE colonies of sps, mainly acro's, and also how long have they been growing? Ive been looking around at some colonies to buy and all are so tiny, im not really wanting to buy 1/2" frags and having to wait 5 years for the tank to fill out.... Im just trying to judge growth rates on different sps's,

 

[buy_baff]

If the tank is set-up right and all is in check it dosen't take that long.
8x6 grown from 2in frag one year old

6x6 grown from 1in frag one and a half years old

4x4 cali tort grown from 1in frag one year old

6x4 grown from 2in frag one and a half years old

 

[sedor]

Sometimes its tough to find colonies in local stores because people would rather pay less for a smaller piece. Sometimes colonies get to a size where most would deem them priceless and an LFS doesn't want to hold onto a piece worth hundreds of dollars when they can chop it up and make twice as much.

People who are breaking down their tanks and simply getting out of the hobby are generally the best to get full blown colonies from. Good luck with the search!

 

[robs.mark]

What's with the net in the last pic, looks like you commercially fishing for stars in your tank!

 

[noobtothereef]

has anybody done any research on importing colonies from around asia? Im not sure how you would go about doing that or if its even legal, but the prices they charge for huge colonies is pennies on the dollar compared to anywhere else, when they see our frags they throw stuff like that away lol, colonies to us are frags to them.... i know youd have to get an import liscence here to import it and also an export liscence from country of origin i think....... like a 5"x5" colony here ould be hundreds or thousands of dollars, there its simply dollars.... it could be worth while if a large quantity of colonies were bought and shipped but then..... would they make it???? probably not....

 

[ganjero]

has anybody done any research on importing colonies from around asia? Im not sure how you would go about doing that or if its even legal, but the prices they charge for huge colonies is pennies on the dollar compared to anywhere else, when they see our frags they throw stuff like that away lol, colonies to us are frags to them.... i know youd have to get an import liscence here to import it and also an export liscence from country of origin i think....... like a 5"x5" colony here ould be hundreds or thousands of dollars, there its simply dollars.... it could be worth while if a large quantity of colonies were bought and shipped but then..... would they make it???? probably not....

Those are wild colonies, which are harder to keep alive and colored up. Plus you'll be supporting uncontrolled and excessive harvesting of wild corals.

There are plenty of aquacualtured corals in the US, they are hardier and will maintain colors better.

If everything is where it should be in your tank's chemistry you should have nice colonies in 1-2 years. Patience is the key to success.

 

[Atomikk]

So im looking for some pictures of LARGE colonies of sps, mainly acro's, and also how long have they been growing? Ive been looking around at some colonies to buy and all are so tiny, im not really wanting to buy 1/2" frags and having to wait 5 years for the tank to fill out.... Im just trying to judge growth rates on different sps's,

Seeing that you are just starting out, if you are not patient in this hobby, you might as well sell your stuff to other reefers.

Corals simply do not arrive that big in size. And if they do, most die in transit. Your best bet is to start with aquacultured corals brought in by your LFS and be patient.

 

[Dustin1300]

Go with aquacultured and don't support what you are referencing even if it is possible. Like it was earlier stated wild colonies are not optimally a good reef coral. If you don't have patience this is not the right hobby. Also, if you are looking for large colonies just camp out on the sellers forum for coral and watch for reefers getting out of the hobby