What is your favorite coral in your tank that did not cost you a lot.

[Gumbies R Us]

In the hobby, there are a lot of different corals one can purchase for their tank. Corals ranging from cheap basic frags all the way to some that cost a pretty penny. I am wondering what is your favorite coral you have in your tank that didn't break the bank. Curious to see what everyone says!

 

[1112-425XL]

FREE Hammer! Given to me when it got to big for a friend's tank, and I've already fragged it multiple time.

 

[fish farmer]

Frammer I bought as a small frag for $35 about 6 years ago. Fragged many times.

 

[Alexraptor]

That's easy, my Efflo!

Cost me less than than an equivalent of $20, was light brown and full of spionid worms last year, yes all of this is what I got!

But the last couple of months its undergone a tremendous transformation. Also I cut the whole base of the colony off and put it in another tank, since there was some self-shadowing going on.

 

[EithelSirion]

I feel like this question is different if you're asking for corals we got for cheaper than what they would typically be worth (like a freebie or a sale) vs a coral that is normally cheap.

For corals that are normally cheap ($20 or under), I have a few favorites over the years.
For SPS, Green Slimer, Forest Fire Digitata, and red Montipora Setosa are great and always very cheap relative to other SPS. The Setosa never has grown as fast as the other two but all three are steady growth month over month.

Green Slimer

Forest Fire Digi. This was growth in 3 months from a freebie frag from Battlecorals

Setosa with a Panamic Barnacle Blenny on it

For soft corals, I have a Purple Sea Whip (Antillogorgia elisabethae) that is the brightest purple in the tank under daylights and grows well year over year. I think I got it from Gulf Coast Ecosystems a few years ago for $12.

Here it is behind the TCK Pikachu on the right. Note how much better colored it is in daylight than the TG Amber Sea Fan gorgonian in the background left.

 

[jdmquip]

I’ve always liked my orange ricordia.

 

[jda]

Tyree Lime in the Sky and Greg C Ultimate Stag are cheap and easy to grow acropora that are amazing once they get going. The contrast from interior to exterior are really good. They are also tolerant to a wide range of water and light conditions.

 

[Dbichler]

Toadstools no brainer for me various colors lot of movement different shapes and polyps. Not to mention easy to care for and easy to frag.

 

[NoAhoysLeft]

My splatter hammer was fairly cheap at my LFS. they have amazing deals. As well as my zoas, they are just too cute.

 

[Narideth]

It's definitely got to be my first duncan - cheap, one and a half heads growing when I got it and now the thing has more than 20 heads and fills up a corner of my tank with flowing movement.

 

[littlefoxx]

My amazing mushroom colony! Was free with the tank. Only dang coral I seem to be able to keep. Its very happy and Im proud if it! Its in the background. Excuse Nala, she loves to photo bomb me and be the center of attention

 

[KenRexford]

My softie that looks bonsai

 

[Marine430]

I personally love all my $5 and $10 frags or the buy 3 get 1 free deal. For me getting a cheap frag and watching it grow is more satisfying then purchasing coral that is already grown. Plus if it dies im not out $50+

 

[piscesgirl]

Like most good parents, I love them all equally
My fav is my hammer I bought from a reefer getting out of the hobby, for $25.
My clowns are hosting in it and so far, he doesn’t seem to mind.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Like most good parents, I love them all equally
My fav is my hammer I bought from a reefer getting out of the hobby, for $25.
My clowns are hosting in it and so far, he doesn’t seem to mind.

Nice looking hammer!

 

[randomfishdude]

Ether the 5 head torch coral I got at my lfs for 78$ or the pink highlighter acro I got from a freind for only 100$ with 2 other acro. Sadly it's starting to bleach.

 

[MrGisonni]

Twilight Echinophyllia Chalice. $30 growing nicely with insane colors and texture

 

[shakacuz]

aside from my og bounce and csb bta, most of my corals cost about the same. at this point i would be choosing my current favorite out the bunch..thinking it’s the vivids insanity. it’s been coloring up for me slowwwwwwly. perhaps once i recover the recent order from @SBB Corals i’ll have a new favorite! got two boogers and a nice speciosa

 

[tzabor10]

$20 from Petco

 

[Cichlid Dad]

My no name green acro small colony I traded for a few nudibranch

Or this base ball for 60.00. I can't decide.