How to Buy Coral Frags Online: A UK Buyer's Guide

Buying Coral Frags Online in the UK

Buying frags online is completely normal in the UK hobby and works well the vast majority of the time. Here are the key things to know.

Know What Your Tank Can Handle

No point falling in love with a high-end acropora if the tank is two months old with unstable params.

• Soft corals (zoanthids, mushrooms, leathers) — great for newer tanks, very forgiving
• LPS (torches, hammers, duncans) — moderate requirements, stunning movement
• SPS (acropora, montipora) — need stable, mature tanks with strong lighting and flow

What to Look for in a Seller

• Clear, honest photos — ideally under white light as well as blue
• Accurate descriptions — species name, size of the frag, care requirements
• Reviews or ratings — any kind of track record helps
• Shipping policy — do they have a DOA (dead on arrival) guarantee?
• Communication — sellers who answer questions promptly are worth their weight in gold

You can browse coral frags from UK sellers on Reefsy — every seller has a profile with ratings.

When Your Coral Arrives

1. Open immediately — don't leave it sitting around
2. Float the bag for 15–20 minutes to temperature acclimate
3. Dip the coral — always dip new arrivals
4. Place low in the tank initially and gradually move higher over a week or two

Corals often look a bit rough on arrival due to transit stress. Most bounce back within a week.

Common Mistakes

• Buying SPS too early (tanks need 6–12 months minimum to stabilise)
• Not researching compatibility — some corals will sting neighbours
• Skipping the dip — pests hitchhike on frags
• Buying based solely on blue-light photos

What was your first online coral purchase like? Any tips for newcomers?