What your thoughts on test corals

[DEE’S reef]

So I’m going to get corals soon because my tank is ready and mature for them but I want to use one piece of coral as a test to see how well they do before buying 4 or 5 frags the place I plan to get corals has deals on getting a bunch of frags.
Is it a smart idea to use a test coral.
Also the test coral would be a zoa drag from another reefer.

 

[reefinatl]

You always should slowly add in and monitor both coral health and tank stability. Starting with hardier fish and hardier corals is advisable even for experienced reefers as a tank begins stabilize.

 

[Marine Betta]

So I’m going to get corals soon because my tank is ready and mature for them but I want to use one piece of coral as a test to see how well they do before buying 4 or 5 frags the place I plan to get corals has deals on getting a bunch of frags.
Is it a smart idea to use a test coral.
Also the test coral would be a zoa drag from another reefer.

If your tank is cycled, there’s no problem with getting a test frag. In fact, it’s a good idea. Zoas are a good starting coral too. If that one does well, I would try a different type of coral and make sure it does well before getting a similar one. My test corals were a cabbage leather and a frogspawn I got for free from a reefer who was breaking down his tank.

 

[DEE’S reef]

So I want to start with 3 or so corals 1 or 2 mushrooms and maybe 1 or 2 Zia’s as beginners corrals and after a few months get some different corals.

 

[reefinatl]

Mushrooms and zoas are excellent first corals. Just be careful about placement and type. Both have variants than can be pretty problematic if placed where they can not easily be pruned back.

 

[rayadog]

I think the above comments are the right way to go.

However, if you can afford it and given a degree of confidence (either from research, husbandry, or equipment being used) a couple different test corals isn’t the worst idea if they’re cheap. But largely only saying this if you go the ship to home route. You’re already paying shipping, might as well load it up. Cheap stuff and within reason, soft corals only or a beginner stony coral.

Don’t take this advice. It’s way costlier and not as patient. Sticking to the zoa frag from a friend is the #1 plan; that’ll give the most confidence.

 

[reefinatl]

I think the above comments are the right way to go.

However, if you can afford it and given a degree of confidence (either from research, husbandry, or equipment being used) a couple different test corals isn’t the worst idea if they’re cheap. But largely only saying this if you go the ship to home route. You’re already paying shipping, might as well load it up. Cheap stuff and within reason, soft corals only or a beginner stony coral.

Don’t take this advice. It’s way costlier and not as patient. Sticking to the zoa frag from a friend is the #1 plan; that’ll give the most confidence.

Only thing if add is it's a good time to find a local club or group. Often you can get a few "starter" type corals for very cheap or free. We all have a vested interest in getting you hooked lol

 

[rayadog]

Only thing if add is it's a good time to find a local club or group. Often you can get a few "starter" type corals for very cheap or free. We all have a vested interest in getting you hooked lol

Very true. Local sale swap coming up near me 1.5 months away; killing me not to buy corals rn.. I just have to wait.

 

[Marine Betta]

So I want to start with 3 or so corals 1 or 2 mushrooms and maybe 1 or 2 Zia’s as beginners corrals and after a few months get some different corals.

Most mushrooms like low flow and light. Most zoas could care less where you put them. There are exceptions, but as long as you stay away from the high end varieties of both corals, you should be good.

If you want a good LPS starter, I’d go with a trumpet coral. Some other easier options are duncans, acans, blastos, hammers, and frogspawns.

Stay away from most sps. The only exceptions are pavona, cyphastrea, and leptoseris. These have about the same care requirements as most LPS.