GSP taking off... is this a mistake?

[jmichaelh7]

When I first started the hobby I had GSP on one rock. Now it’s growing up the entire rock and flourishing. My concern is that it will keep growing. I don’t want it growing past this rock or on established SPS on top. I’m thinking of removing glued sps and other frags on rock elsewhere due to the fact GSP can eventually encrust over it?? Any recommendations?

 

[tehmadreefer]

It will eventually take over the entire tank if left unchecked

 

[jmichaelh7]

It will eventually take over the entire tank if left unchecked

If left unchecked? How are you checking the coral if they are encrusting inside and out around rock work

 

[reefiniteasy]

This was the problem I had. I had to swap out my main rock because the gsp took over. Take care of it sooner rather than later.

 

[zalick]

It will grow over the whole tank.

But it grows as a mat and is pretty easy to control of it's kept separate.

I keep mine on a single rock on the sand. When it grows over the rock on to the sand I take the rock out, trim it and put back in.

 

[Jekyl]

Mine is currently taking over also

 

[jmichaelh7]

This was the problem I had. I had to swap out my main rock because the gsp took over. Take care of it sooner rather than later.

Man I have so many SPS frags on top and anemones .
I wonder if pulling the rock out, cutting in half, and placing back in tank is the best option

 

[Shmollica]

Yep trim it back, rip it out, cut it...it grows back twice as fast lol. It’s nutrient export I guess lol and mine never ate enough alk to notice when I did a big trim....just don’t do what I did; I dropped a piece behind a rock and left it in the sand (was new to gsp) figured it would die....nope now I had two gsp farms hahaha!

 

[jmichaelh7]

Yep trim it back, rip it out, cut it...it grows back twice as fast lol. It’s nutrient export I guess lol and mine never ate enough alk to notice when I did a big trim....just don’t do what I did; I dropped a piece behind a rock and left it in the sand (was new to gsp) figured it would die....nope now I had two gsp farms hahaha!

That’s ridiculous I plan on figuring this out today

 

[Shmollica]

That’s ridiculous I plan on figuring this out today

There were some studies done a while back that showed “fragged” corals grow back faster I think....I can’t remember if it was just sticks and it was in the ocean, but anecdotally I have seen gsp grow faster after being trimmed lol.

 

[Rmckoy]

Will gsp take over sps ?

I bought a small 1” frag of gsp about a year ago .
it’s roughly 8” dia . And finding small 1”-2” pieces throughout the tank
I’ve grabbed a few and glued them to plugs and pieces of rock
The top of my tank is covered in acro frags .
hoping the gsp doesn’t make it that far but if it does perhaps the acro will fight for its place ?

 

[Shmollica]

Will gsp take over sps ?

I bought a small 1” frag of gsp about a year ago .
it’s roughly 8” dia . And finding small 1”-2” pieces throughout the tank
I’ve grabbed a few and glued them to plugs and pieces of rock
The top of my tank is covered in acro frags .
hoping the gsp doesn’t make it that far but if it does perhaps the acro will fight for its place ?

Yeah gsp will win that fight lol....it’s not going to grow over your tank in a day, it’s just annoying to some people to have to manage it. Like having chaeto in your display lol.

 

[tehmadreefer]

If left unchecked? How are you checking the coral if they are encrusting inside and out around rock work

Means take it out, cut it out, etc...

anyways have fun!

 

[Joe Rice]

GSP was one of the first corals I added to my tank 5 years ago. At first it grew like crazy and I was worried that it would cover everything. But over the years it's expanded and contracted and I really don't know why. It always seem to grow near the bottom front of my tank, so I no longer worry too much about it. YMMV

 

[Rmckoy]

Yeah gsp will win that fight lol....it’s not going to grow over your tank in a day, it’s just annoying to some people to have to manage it. Like having chaeto in your display lol.

That’s actually a great idea .
I might start throwing gsp in the sump until I can find a new to reef aquarist that will gladly take some off my hands

 

[zalick]

That’s ridiculous I plan on figuring this out today

It's really not that bad. It's easy to control. If you are careful you can peel it off.
.

 

[Udest]

Just a thought you probably could keep it near other aggressive corals that sting to keep it in check as well.

 

[Pntbll687]

It will take over the tank if you don't routinely trim it back.

If you can keep it on an isolated rock it's pretty easy to take care of.

I have a mountain of it in my tank. I cut it back, and make frags. I sell the frogs to my LFS for $5ea

 

[zalick]

It will take over the tank if you don't routinely trim it back.

If you can keep it on an isolated rock it's pretty easy to take care of.

I have a mountain of it in my tank. I cut it back, and make frags. I sell the frogs to my LFS for $5ea

My first tank looked similar. It took over the back wall and both sides. 20 long. It actually looked super cool!

 

[mfinn]

Man I have so many SPS frags on top and anemones .
I wonder if pulling the rock out, cutting in half, and placing back in tank is the best option

I would do what ever you need to do to control it, but just a suggestion, put the rock, or part of it agaisnt the back wall of your tank and let it grow. I've have a couple tanks that had gsp over most of the back wall.
IMO looks pretty cool.
You can control it from spreading over multiple rocks that are touching by using kalk paste like you would for aiptasias.