Influencing sps growth patterns

beachsider · Aug 12, 2014

I'm curious about trimming sps corals. Can anyone suggest an article or thread that discusses how to trim sps frags and colonies so that they will grow out with more branches? I have a smaller tank and I have had good success with sps. But I want to start trimming them so that they fill out better. I was almost thinking that they could be cut in a way that will evoke different growth patterns. Kinda like how you would manipulate plant growth in Bonsai, or rose bushes etc.

Any advice or suggestions would e cool.

Diesel · Aug 12, 2014

Sure you can.
SPS will grow towards the light.
That said it will be an ongoing tri/frag feast.
It's like if the get o close to each other and you kinda keep trimming them away from each other.
Good example is the plating corals, they grow in the direction where they have the room and light to grow-out.

choff · Aug 12, 2014

Flow will play a significant role as well. I tried to google this a ways back, but couldn't find anything really helpful. Tagging along to see what others say.

Diesel · Aug 12, 2014

choff said:
Flow will play a significant role as well. I tried to google this a ways back, but couldn't find anything really helpful. Tagging along to see what others say.

Correct, how did I forgot the flow.

Daniel@R2R · Aug 12, 2014

Cool idea! Following!

beachsider · Aug 12, 2014

Ok. So I understand that flow will make the sticks thicker, but will the flow also increase the number of branches? I understand that some of this is going to be determined by species as well. But is it also one of those things like if I cut a piece off here then 2 will grow in its place.

PherPhace · Aug 13, 2014

I just got my first SPS-es. Hyacinth birds nest and purple pocillopora. I understand they grow fast and I will be following along for pruning tips.

naso tang · Aug 13, 2014

Great question, I never pay much attention when I'm fragging. Cutting at the base makes sense to me cause these branches will lose light unless you do trim em, and they color up nice when you frag them. Cutting at the top produces the nicest looking frags though. I think they will branch at the point of fragging when you do #2, not #1. Cut at the sides and they should get bushier. Just a theory though based on an assumption that multiple branches will form at location of fragging as long as there is sufficient light to support.

naso tang · Aug 13, 2014

I'd also assume they follow similar growth patterns as plants. But I'm no botanist, just a hobbyist

beachsider · Aug 13, 2014

It makes sense right. Maybe one of the sponsors who often frag sticks can chime in. Hint hint.

naso tang · Aug 13, 2014

You can definitely influence growth pattern by turning a colony on it's side. Imagine a system where light is provided from all sides! Would you be able to direct growth with flow? That would be a cool experiment! A new invention, 3d culture systems to maximize colony growth!!!

beachsider · Aug 13, 2014

So they will grow towards the light right? So if I turned a colony on its side, do you think the branch would start to bend towards the light, or would new branches begin to grow towards the light.

Acro · Aug 13, 2014

You can most definitely influence growth with flow! I have my tyree tricolor that's probably a little too in the way of flow and it's got a cool sideways Mohawk going on!

Oldude · Aug 13, 2014

In my experience I think you guys have hit on the 3 main things that will influence growth patterns - Lighting - Flow - Pruning.

naso tang · Aug 13, 2014

beachsider said:
So they will grow towards the light right? So if I turned a colony on its side, do you think the branch would start to bend towards the light, or would new branches begin to grow towards the light.

Both I think. We do need some professional feedback here. Where's rmf/jf/cornbred/reefpets/battlecorals/Aquasd when you need em? Oh I forgot tyree and probably many other reputable sps heads...

SantaMonica · Aug 14, 2014

I seem to recall that less flow will cause more thin branches, so they can extract more food particles out of the water (kinda like NPS).

tyler1503 · Aug 14, 2014

I'm not much of an SPS fan so in saying that, I've never kept any in my personal systems let alone fragged many.
But could you develop a branching stick by cutting an upside down V shape as opposed to a solid straight cut? So the fresh cut colony has almost a point? Like cut a 45 degree angle like this / then a second cut the opposite direction like \? That would give the colony 2 points in which it could heal and grow instead of one.
I don't think I explained that too well lol.

beachsider · Aug 14, 2014

tyler1503 said:
I'm not much of an SPS fan so in saying that, I've never kept any in my personal systems let alone fragged many.
But could you develop a branching stick by cutting an upside down V shape as opposed to a solid straight cut? So the fresh cut colony has almost a point? Like cut a 45 degree angle like this / then a second cut the opposite direction like \? That would give the colony 2 points in which it could heal and grow instead of one.
I don't think I explained that too well lol.

Your explanation makes sense. It makes me curious.

choff · Aug 14, 2014

I had a coral at the top of my tank that had a ph directly above it, it's branches were growing in downward arches like a weeping willow. It was a generic acro from divers den I bought a ways ago when I first started that made me ask this same question back then on a local board.

The best guess then was it was avoiding the direct constant flow of the powerhead. I wish I fragged it to see how it reacted.