Would you buy from poor husbandry?

[MrSkumFrog]

Hello,

One of the LFS in my town has a nice selection of frags. I was about to purchase a frag; however I noticed a couple issues...
The corals look great; the tank not so much. I noticed red algae and bubble algae in they're display. Would you buy frags in such conditions?

 

[ClownsRCoo]

If it were me it would depend on a few things:
-What else do you have to choose from
-How are their pricing

I recently bought a frag from a local reefer and the tank was covered in algae. I was a little hesitant to put it in my tank. I dipped it in a stronger than normal dip and scrubbed the plug with an old toothbrush to clean off the algae and they are doing great so far after 3 weeks and have not noticed any ill effects on the tank.

 

[organism]

I think there's a difference between poor husbandry and what you're seeing. In a retail store it's almost impossible to have no algae issues, even for hobbyists it's an uphill battle, but what's really important is how the frags look. If they're open and healthy then you know the shop has good husbandry and doesn't let their water get too crappy.

 

[sean-820]

I think there's a difference between poor husbandry and what you're seeing. In a retail store it's almost impossible to have no algae issues, even for hobbyists it's an uphill battle, but what's really important is how the frags look. If they're open and healthy then you know the shop has good husbandry and doesn't let their water get too crappy.

I agree with this. There is a difference between unsightly algae and dead animals caused by inhabitable conditions. If there tanks are undersized with tons of dead fish, half dead corals etc then I would not buy from them.

You can still have clean water with algae on the glass. Algae on the glass/rocks just means they may not have cleaned the glass/rocks for a while. As long as the frags look healthy then I would by from them. Bubble algae and red algae are in every tank so i would just clean any trace amounts off before introducing to my tank. If there are any pest anemones I may not get the frag as to not introduce them to my tank but even those can be effectively killed off. A coral dip is a good precautionary measure for other things.

 

[likefish]

After learning the hard way I now assume that any coral from any store is COMPLETY INFESTED with every coral parasite/cooty/hitchhiker available!!!

Bubble algae, flat worms, sundial snails, redbugs, AEFW, aptaisia........

So many corals come and go in most stores that total QT and "pest free" is near impossible.

I remove the base from most if not all frags purchased. I dip with Bayer, rinse well then repeat. I suggest look at coral health and polyp extension. Form there assume its infested with bad stuff and treat it appropriately when you get it home. QT it if at all possible.

Good luck!

 

[SpaceGhost]

I try to find what day they get their coral in stock, buy before they hit the lfs water or at least watch if they are dipping. Buy something cheap, and test their water quality. But in the end dip, dip, dip, and quarantine everything. A lfs is in the business of moving coral, and if they do a lot of it, then a lot of pest will becoming in and out of their systems. Constantly dirty tanks, store, glass etc might mean they are slacking on dipping, but who cares if you can get a great coral at a great price, you can easily fix up any coral if you can religiously dip and quarantine. Also train your eye to spot browned out gems in the rough, you can take advantage of their poor water quality.

 

[firebirdude]

I think there's a difference between poor husbandry and what you're seeing. In a retail store it's almost impossible to have no algae issues, even for hobbyists it's an uphill battle

QFT. I wouldn't hesitate buying a frag from a tank that has some algae.

Or think about it like this. Suppose you came over to my house to buy a frag and saw a bit of bubble algae in my 200 gallon tank. Would you turn tail and run?