Should I steer clear of newly fragged SPS?

[livinlifeinBKK]

Being new to keeping SPS I was hoping I could get some feedback as to whether it might be wise to go for the frags which have already encrusted over the plug as opposed to those that are newly fragged...where I am (not USA) I'm pretty sure like half the corals are wild collected (legally of course) which I've heard can make them more difficult to acclimate to tank conditions... would going for frags that have encrusted be a safer bet since I'm not sure which are aquacultured and which are wild collected?

 

[elysics]

Frags that have started to encrust are a safer bet in general. You know they must have been stable and growing. A freshly glued frag might have been whats left over after cutting something up that was in the process of dying. And not all frags always survive the fragging process, if you buy freshly glued one you might be eating the losing ticket as opposed to the seller when you only buy encrusted ones.

 

[Wasabiroot]

If maricultured, I would think encrusted would be preferred. Maricultured sps are already a bit of a gamble so any leg up they have is a plus in my book.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Frags that have started to encrust are a safer bet in general. You know they must have been stable and growing. A freshly glued frag might have been whats left over after cutting something up that was in the process of dying. And not all frags always survive the fragging process, if you buy freshly glued one you might be eating the losing ticket as opposed to the seller when you only buy encrusted ones.

If maricultured, I would think encrusted would be preferred. Maricultured sps are already a bit of a gamble so any leg up they have is a plus in my book.

Those were my thoughts as well...I was thinking if it was encrusted at least I know it was stable in their tank for a little while

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I imagine I can also look at the plug to see if/ how much algae has grown on it to tell if it's been fragged for long

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I was actually thinking about getting this Monti but I've been hesitant because it hasn't encrusted yet... What do you guys think?

 

[ScottB]

I was actually thinking about getting this Monti but I've been hesitant because it hasn't encrusted yet... What do you guys think?
Wild or mariculture Montis are much less of risk IMO.

 

[elysics]

I was actually thinking about getting this Monti but I've been hesitant because it hasn't encrusted yet... What do you guys think?

That one looks healthy and growing and like it has necrusted a few millimeters onto the plug, shouldn't be too risky

 

[BirdFish5000]

I've never had any luck with fresh cut sps. I personally steer clear now.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I've never had any luck with fresh cut sps. I personally steer clear now.

I think I'm gonna only buy ones that have encrusted at least a little...I don't need to take on more risk than is necessary at this point

 

[REEFTIDE]

So its kind of a two way street really.
Most fresh fragged corals(2-4 days) can be more susceptible to issues BUT they also are easier to rebase and a lot easier to inspect for pests. I used to work at a massive aquaculture facility that most US people recognize and a surprising amount of people wanted fresher cuts even tho it was a fully QT'd tank. Peace of mind is nice
Fully encrusted frags look awesome until you have to toss half the encrustment to rebase OR you find that there are hidden unwanted gifts in there.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Being new to keeping SPS I was hoping I could get some feedback as to whether it might be wise to go for the frags which have already encrusted over the plug as opposed to those that are newly fragged...where I am (not USA) I'm pretty sure like half the corals are wild collected (legally of course) which I've heard can make them more difficult to acclimate to tank conditions... would going for frags that have encrusted be a safer bet since I'm not sure which are aquacultured and which are wild collected?

I always buy encrusted frags. I've had bad experiences with freshly fragged SPS corals.