Recommendations on some classic must-have acros around $50

[PugsAndFish]

I have a nano reef with room for about 2-3 acros. I want to limit them to some affordable classics around $50 or so. (Also have a $40 gift card from TSA so that's something to consider and likely where I'll shop). I'm also looking for something that grows relatively faster. A few that come to mind are:

• PC Rainbow - Had a piece a while back and really enjoyed it
• Red Planet - Like the deep red color but similar color to PC Rainbow
• Paletta Pink Tip - Never tried this piece
• Strawberry Shortcake - Nice colors, never tried this
• Pink Lemonade - Probably my favorite color scheme out there and the colonies look amazing but I tried 2 frags in the past but they both didn't do well. Maybe I'll have better luck this time.
• Red Dragon - Really like the growth pattern. Never tried this piece.
• GARF Bonsai - Love it but had it and looking for something new
• Green Slimer - Love it but had it and looking for something new
• Fox Flame - Mine always turned brown
• ORA Pearlberry - Never saw a colony of this but the frags aren't too enticing to me
• Oregon Tort - Read it grows very slowly

Any other classics I'm forgetting to consider?

 

[jamie1210]

I have a nano reef with room for about 2-3 acros. I want to limit them to some affordable classics around $50 or so. (Also have a $40 gift card from TSA so that's something to consider and likely where I'll shop). I'm also looking for something that grows relatively faster. A few that come to mind are:

• PC Rainbow - Had a piece a while back and really enjoyed it
• Red Planet - Like the deep red color but similar color to PC Rainbow
• Paletta Pink Tip - Never tried this piece
• Strawberry Shortcake - Nice colors, never tried this
• Pink Lemonade - Probably my favorite color scheme out there and the colonies look amazing but I tried 2 frags in the past but they both didn't do well. Maybe I'll have better luck this time.
• Red Dragon - Really like the growth pattern. Never tried this piece.
• GARF Bonsai - Love it but had it and looking for something new
• Green Slimer - Love it but had it and looking for something new
• Fox Flame - Mine always turned brown
• ORA Pearlberry - Never saw a colony of this but the frags aren't too enticing to me
• Oregon Tort - Read it grows very slowly

Any other classics I'm forgetting to consider?

ASD rainbow milli
Fire and Ice Echinata (Tyree)
Red Robin
Joe the Coral
Tri Color Valida (similar to Garf Bonsai)

 

[am3gross]

Hawkins Echinata is one of my favorites.

Also like the:

Red Planet
Oregon Tort
Pearlberry

 

[ycnibrc]

Strawberry lemonade,ATL joleen,oregon tort, paletta pink tip stag

 

[Peg Leg Polyp]

• PC Rainbow - Had a piece a while back and really enjoyed it
• Red Planet - Like the deep red color but similar color to PC Rainbow
• Paletta Pink Tip - Never tried this piece
• Strawberry Shortcake - Nice colors, never tried this
• Pink Lemonade - Probably my favorite color scheme out there and the colonies look amazing but I tried 2 frags in the past but they both didn't do well. Maybe I'll have better luck this time.
• Red Dragon - Really like the growth pattern. Never tried this piece.
• GARF Bonsai - Love it but had it and looking for something new
• Green Slimer - Love it but had it and looking for something new
• Fox Flame - Mine always turned brown
• ORA Pearlberry - Never saw a colony of this but the frags aren't too enticing to me
• Oregon Tort - Read it grows very slowly

My feedback based off your list as well as a few that I think should be added
PC rainbow - Go with PC superman instead
Red planet - yes, maybe harder to find these days though.
Paletta Pink Tip - I have not either, but have always been impressed by pics (if you dont mind ponying up an extra 50-75 check out BC bubblebath unicorn/ Pirates Reef Fruity Pebbles)
Strawberry Shortake - One of the more challenging species microclados, have had many but they always eventually RTN as they become large colonies unfortunately
Pink Lemonade - YES
GARF Bonsai - hard pass. Too common of a look IMO
Green Slimer - Dont waste the space with something solid green IMO
Fox Flame - Need good lighting and some nutrients, will develop yellow/gold axial coralites eventually and when it does its fantastic.
ORA Pearlberry - 100%.. just something about this coral when it grows into a colony is mysteriously beautiful.
Oregon tort - it speeds up a bit at mini colony point. Very rewarding.

Additions:
ASD Rainbow millepora - must have in any acro system
Walt Disney - same as above
ORA Chips - If you can find it, I'm convinced it no longer exists.

 

[billyocean]

Wwc yellow tips has a nice blue to it

Strawberry shortcake is nice

Fruity pebbles

 

[PugsAndFish]

I found a local place with Orange Passion for $60

 

[biecacka]

Tyree pinky the bear


corey

 

[Rick5]

Pink lemonade
Raspberry limeaid
Shades of fall
Crayola plana
Ice fire
Yellow caroliniana
$500 efflo
Cali tort
Oregon tort
Leng Sy
Pearlberry
Strawberry fields
Atl Christmas mirabilis
Banana lokani
3000 leagues
Shortcake
Hawkins
The Pro Coral/PC pieces
Almost anything ATL or Tyree circa mid-2000s or thereabouts

I’m definitely missing a bunch. A good catch all is anything @Charlie’s Frags wont keep in his tank.

I also like the following which I don’t characterize as classics in the traditional sense (although they may become classics to people you ask in the future/younger folks):

Fruity Pebbles
Nightshade
Princess Peach
Bill Murray
Malefiscent
Optimus Prime
Hellboy
Psychoberry
Pink Floyd
Walt Disney
Cherry Bomb
Lucky Charms

You really need @jda input if you are interested in classics. I think the black light tenius folks drove him out, unfortunately. @Perry has great insight here too.

 

[Brad Mckeon]

My feedback based off your list as well as a few that I think should be added
PC rainbow - Go with PC superman instead
Red planet - yes, maybe harder to find these days though.
Paletta Pink Tip - I have not either, but have always been impressed by pics (if you dont mind ponying up an extra 50-75 check out BC bubblebath unicorn/ Pirates Reef Fruity Pebbles)
Strawberry Shortake - One of the more challenging species microclados, have had many but they always eventually RTN as they become large colonies unfortunately
Pink Lemonade - YES
GARF Bonsai - hard pass. Too common of a look IMO
Green Slimer - Dont waste the space with something solid green IMO
Fox Flame - Need good lighting and some nutrients, will develop yellow/gold axial coralites eventually and when it does its fantastic.
ORA Pearlberry - 100%.. just something about this coral when it grows into a colony is mysteriously beautiful.
Oregon tort - it speeds up a bit at mini colony point. Very rewarding.

Additions:
ASD Rainbow millepora - must have in any acro system
Walt Disney - same as above
ORA Chips - If you can find it, I'm convinced it no longer exists.

I have an ORA Chips lol