Constellation corals: How do you feel about Green Star Polyps?

[Peace River]

Constellation corals: How do you feel about Green Star Polyps?

Green Star Polyps, also known as GSP, is an accent piece, it is a starter coral, it is a weed, or it is a scourge against all reefs – there are many perspectives about GSP so let’s talk about it today. If you do keep GSP, tell us why and what you have done to care for it and limit it (or maybe you let it grow wild!). On the other hand, if you think that GSP should be completely eradicated from the hobby then tell us why you feel that way. Please let us know how you feel about Green Star Polyps in the thread that follows.

Pro Tip: If you do decide to keep GSP, be ready to use both manual and chemical means to trim the growth in a timely manner. Additionally, consider selecting areas where GSP is separated from other corals to limit encroachment.

Photo by @Reefing102


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.tidalgardens.com

“The goal of Tidal Gardens is to offer the highest quality corals to those seeking a piece of that world without destroying it. We hope to instill a deep appreciation for the natural reefs and help develop a self sustaining hobby that no longer requires the collection of fish and corals.”

 

[flyingscampi]

Like many people, GSP was my first coral. It does grow like mad but it is also easy to cut back and looks amazing.

I placed it on the top of a rock thinking it couldn't spread beyond the rock but didn't count on it growing 'tentacles'...

 

[Enderg60]

A weed is just anything you dont want in your garden. Dandy lions are pretty flowers but "MU LAWN".

Its a great coral, you simply have to understand how it grows and how to control it.

I have some on a rock island with pusing xenia so the only place it can spread is on the sand where its easily removed.

 

[Morpheus77]

I see all these posts about it growing like a weed, If only I had that problem. I have a 1" frag for 2 and and a half years now, and it's barely entrusting off its frag piece here recently. Think I have the wrong strain. Just received a long polyp GSP yesterday from an online store, hopefully this will take off. Love the GSP look, hoping for a wall full of it soon. So for me, I'm hoping for a mess load of it.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I use mine as accent and have both standard and branching type . I have never had an issue with GSP getting out of control as it has done for many

 

[Gtinnel]

Definitely a weed. I like the way it looks and decided I wanted it to cover my back wall. I didn’t take into account that I can’t easily reach the sandbed behind my aquascape so it is slowly growing up the back of my aquascape.

 

[FishDaddy1992]

GSP was one of my first starter corals and I absolutely dig it. Unlike my zoa's I don't have to worry about it poising me, my pets, or my girlfriend. It can have a lot of movement to it, depending on flow. It grows quickly and easily. It can handle a lot influx in water conditions. I find it to be a very under appreciated coral. I have three diffrenet zoas, and a fireworks xenia. Other than the color of the fireworks, I prefer my GSP.

 

[shakacuz]

it's a weed to me, that can still be used as an accent piece. i have mine isolated on a rock where my yellowhead jawfish resides. it's branching out and growing on top of its self, as well as growing on the sand. will be trimming it down and making a new, smaller rock for the jawfish.

 

[exnisstech]

I have a patch that is finally starting to grow. GSP as well as zoas is one of the beginners corals that would never grow in my tanks before. I still can't grow zoas

 

[RedoubtReef]

Can I just have some aptasia instead?

 

[j.falk]

I voted OTHER...GSP is the king of all corals and should be allowed to flourish and overtake an entire aquarium! Survival of the fittest!

 

[JasonVH]

I voted OTHER...GSP is the king of all corals and should be allowed to flourish and overtake an entire aquarium! Survival of the fittest!

That's pretty. Reminds me of that certain style of fancy freshwater landscaped tanks. Imagine it's mesmerizing with the flow in action.

 

[threebuoys]

I voted other, I can't keep it alive!

After striking out with small frags, I bought a specimen about the size of a tennis ball back in January. I thought it was doing OK, although it was not spreading. Then yesterday none of the polyps opened. Everything else in the tank seem to not be affected by whatever caused the GSP to close.

I would love to have a problem with too much rather than worrying I can't keep it alive.

 

[IsaacHunt]

Like many people, GSP was my first coral. It does grow like mad but it is also easy to cut back and looks amazing.

I placed it on the top of a rock thinking it couldn't spread beyond the rock but didn't count on it growing 'tentacles'...

GSP is the reefing equivalent of pubic hair with some living it and encouraging its growth with others tolerating it and trimming and confining it to an area where it blends in with its surroundings and finally those who loathe it and remove it with a vengeance.

My issue is with brown star polyps which have taken a grip on a few of my favourite rocks so I have taken to eradicating it with reef putty and manual removal

 

[Cheezle]

I love GSP, I get why folks call it a weed but its not THAT bad. BTAs are worse in terms of spreading and taking over, GSP is a great coral IMO

 

[1112-425XL]

It's a weed, but it's home for my orange spotted goby. So for now it stays.

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

GSP is the reefing equivalent of pubic hair with some living it and encouraging its growth with others tolerating it and trimming and confining it to an area where it blends in with its surroundings and finally those who loathe it and remove it with a vengeance.

So you’re less Berlin and more Brazilian Method?

 

[JoJosReef]

I voted other, because I would say "GSP is reef safe with caution". I think it is a good starter coral, a good accent coral and a weed. If you know exactly what you're doing with it, you can use it to great effect. If you aren't careful, it can take over. Just like Xenia or Kenya trees, but I think GSP is a bit easier since you don't have to worry about it dropping frags that float around and settle elsewhere in your tank.

And apparently my clowns now like it.

 

[Reefjockey]

I see all these posts about it growing like a weed, If only I had that problem. I have a 1" frag for 2 and and a half years now, and it's barely entrusting off its frag piece here recently. Think I have the wrong strain. Just received a long polyp GSP yesterday from an online store, hopefully this will take off. Love the GSP look, hoping for a wall full of it soon. So for me, I'm hoping for a mess load of it.

How about you make a drive, with a bucket and I will make your wish come true? I need to do some trimming.

 

[PhishMonger84]

I think they are extremely pretty and i love landscapes covered in them. those zoas and mushrooms are my favorites