What do I look for when I buy SPS at my LFS?

[kevindub]

I am going to try my first SPS. Any tips on what I should look for when I select it? My tank has been running for half a year and the test results are all good. I run MH and have lots of current. I wanted to make sure my tank was old enough before I tried my first one.

 

[JKDMan]

make sure that its open and good coloration/polyp extension GL

 

[Anonymous]

Make sure it does not have any bleached or dead areas. Look at the health of the tank in general. If you can try to get frags from a local hobbiest. They generally have a better chance of survival.

 

[fcmatt]

ask the LFS to rotate the coral. you want to see all the sides
before purchasing. but please limit it to one-three pieces..
not the whole display tank

check the base of the coral, look to see if it is growing
over the initial mounting point on the rock.

look for any bleached areas, torn "skin areas", and the conditions
the tank is in.

start with an easy coral to take care of, getting an acropora to
begin with.. it will probably die. look at the monitpora in my opinion.

 

[jay24k]

I disagree with it probably dieing. If your tanks parameters are fine with no large swings, the coral should do just fine. Like mentioned, stay away from browns and try to find some that have a good color. Any spots peeling or white can possibly show signs of issues. Depending on the size, some of the bases could be partially dead while the rest look fine. It all depends on where light can get too so consider that also.

Also take note that they will look different if they rotate it. Generally the sides should look the same but anywhere light is not hitting it, it will be a tan to brown color. Nothing wrong with that.

Good luck.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with waht has been stated already for the most part. I don't think that color should be your reason for buying. Look for a growth pattern that you like with a color you like. Corals change colors in different tanks and can even change shapes though not as much. Alot of LFS have good deals on what they call "brown outs". Some of the prettiest corals I have in my tank were brown outs that have colored up beautifully in my tank. You can get an entire colony for $10. Great starter corals for first timers, since if you lose a 10 dollar coral it isn't as significant to the wallet than a 150. The best thing to look for IMO as a sign the frag is doing well, is that it is spreading on to the base of whatever it is attached to. To me that is a great sign the coral is healthy and growing. Just my .02.

 

[stubbsz]

If you see the coral encrusting over whatever it's attached to, I feel that is a good sign...for starters it's a mature frag.
-Adrian