tHEcONCH Posted December 12, 2007 Report Share Posted December 12, 2007 Not always true Conch... I got a cheap organ pipe coral off Hollywood fish farm as they couldn't sell it, as it was damaged and only had 10-15 polyps left. I have had it in the tank for a month now and it has at least 100 polyps... So you can buy cheap/ damaged corals providing you are willing to take a risk (or you are given them, as it was in my case!). Perhaps someone with a mature tank could do that (I've had good success with frags too), but it isn't a good idea for a start up - tank conditions are just too erratic IMO. Best to start with healthy, hardy specimens until things settle down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilson Posted December 12, 2007 Report Share Posted December 12, 2007 when i started i had an 8 L tank i started the first day with about 4 frags all but one survived (the one that died was a xenia arm) but i think it got bumped around to much going from the shop to my house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott16 Posted December 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2007 actually before i start looking properly at things can salt water stuff be shipped like the coral and fish if not then im stuffed lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted December 12, 2007 Report Share Posted December 12, 2007 when i started i had an 8 L tank i started the first day with about 4 frags all but one survived (the one that died was a xenia arm) but i think it got bumped around to much going from the shop to my house Yep, but you also got good quality live sand and some plonker catching shrimp and critters for you - you had a bit of a head start, really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted December 12, 2007 Report Share Posted December 12, 2007 actually before i start looking properly at things can salt water stuff be shipped like the coral and fish if not then im stuffed lol They can be, but like anything else it can stress them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott16 Posted December 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2007 oh thats ok then i thought i read somewhere on another thread something about amonia building up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markoshark Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 Not always true Conch... I got a cheap organ pipe coral off Hollywood fish farm as they couldn't sell it, as it was damaged and only had 10-15 polyps left. I have had it in the tank for a month now and it has at least 100 polyps... So you can buy cheap/ damaged corals providing you are willing to take a risk (or you are given them, as it was in my case!). I bought a scroll coral (as it had a very nice mushroom), and I was aware that the coral was pretty crappy (as in, pure brown), it has since started to perk up nicely, and is starting to go yellow. My claustria (Bright green candycane type thing), when I got it was pretty sick, but is looking much better now. A "White Acro" (beige really) that I bought off TeL is now going bright green, and should be a stunner. My organ pipe is much the same, its now a sea of green, however, the only coral casualty I have had is a sun coral (which died), i was unable to keep it fed without polluting the entire tank - It just wouldnt open its polyps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 DON'T BUY DAMAGED CORALS! - even if they are cheap. If they are a good price why not. Most always recover if you have good water quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raeh1 Posted December 14, 2007 Report Share Posted December 14, 2007 I also had success with sick corals, and amazing revival stories. They end up being you favourites. Amazing what moving a coral 20 cm's closer to a power head or light or vice versa can do as well. Also my two anemones looked terrible in the shop, (but i thought if they can survive for 2-3 months in our local pet store they will survive in my tank). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted December 14, 2007 Report Share Posted December 14, 2007 I'm really only talking about the early days / set-up of a tank. The last thing a beginner needs is the disappointment of dead corals. Once your tank is up and running and you've learned a bit, then yes, why not, but I think that a bit of success early on will encourage people to learn more and do things right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasp Posted December 14, 2007 Report Share Posted December 14, 2007 Agreed, I've bought dying corals and lost them, especially sps that are already rtn'ing are VERY high risk. But it is also very satisfying to get something doing poorly and bring it back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sapphire Posted December 14, 2007 Report Share Posted December 14, 2007 I'm only very new to marine so am only talking from my limited experience . I'll also say that my one purchase of a not-so-great coral (not from my usual LFS) turned out ok. However I do think if you take ownership of a coral like any other animal you do take responsibility for it. For those who have the experience and knowledge buying damaged/unhealthy coral is a viable option as they have the expertise to deal with them, but for those who are new to reef-keeping the situation isn't the same. From my perspective, I think it's better to obtain healthy specimens and learn how to maintain and grow them before learning how to cure/nurse damaged corals. I wouldn't like to think something had died because I didn't know how to look after it when someone else could have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilson Posted December 14, 2007 Report Share Posted December 14, 2007 i agree with Sapphire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted December 14, 2007 Report Share Posted December 14, 2007 I'm only very new to marine so am only talking from my limited experience . I'll also say that my one purchase of a not-so-great coral (not from my usual LFS) turned out ok. However I do think if you take ownership of a coral like any other animal you do take responsibility for it. For those who have the experience and knowledge buying damaged/unhealthy coral is a viable option as they have the expertise to deal with them, but for those who are new to reef-keeping the situation isn't the same. From my perspective, I think it's better to obtain healthy specimens and learn how to maintain and grow them before learning how to cure/nurse damaged corals. I wouldn't like to think something had died because I didn't know how to look after it when someone else could have. well said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raeh1 Posted December 15, 2007 Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 good point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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