Goniopora or torches?

[iLu]

Hey everyone,

currently planning a new LPS tank (90x30x30 cm); mostly one species. Trying to decide on whether to go goniopora or torches heavy. What do you think would be easier to keep in that scenario (only aquacultured corals)?

 

[JulesH]

I have more success with Goniapora than Torches. I have never managed keep a Torch alive very long. For me its Gonipora. However they both have that fantastic movement which I want in a tank.

 

[VintageReefer]

Both

I have 20+ Goni and many torches. They go great together

 

[RedReefer]

I have both. I love both! Start with cheaper goni, and torches. See how they grow over a few months. If all good then, step up to the the high dollar stuff.

 

[iLu]

I have both. I love both! Start with cheaper goni, and torches. See how they grow over a few months. If all good then, step up to the the high dollar stuff.

Only had gonis so far, will be tough to decide. How much space do torch corals need vertical? As in how high can I build my rocks in an lps only tank?

 

[RedReefer]

Only had gonis so far, will be tough to decide. How much space do torch corals need vertical? As in how high can I build my rocks in an lps only tank?

So I would probably leave 6-8" from the water surface. Torches can handle being at the top of the rocks. They like high light.

 

[VintageReefer]

So I would probably leave 6-8" from the water surface. Torches can handle being at the top of the rocks. They like high light.

Horizontal will be more of a problem long term than vertical

The tentacles get long and the colonies get wider

This is a 7-8 head banana torch. It’s around 10” wide

Top down when its closed up

 

[Bruttall]

I will just add that I have never been to keep a wild caught torch alive. Aquaculture torches thrive though for me. Only draw back is aquaculture torches are nearly 2x to 3x the price sometimes but you are getting a creature that has a higher than average chance of surviving in your tank.

 

[Jmp998]

If you prefer to do only one or the other-goniopora have the wider color palette. I love torches but they just don’t have the same color range.

Long term, torches are much easier to frag-just snip off a branch with bone cutters. My goniopora have mostly handled fragging pretty well, but it requires a dremel (band saw would be better but big and expensive).