New Biocube 29, looking for small advice

[legacy2mj]

A week after I introduced my CUC all perameters are normal. So I added a green star polyp frag and a green hammer frag. I set the GSP frag against my back wall hoping it affixes itself there instead of taking over my live rock. Is there anything I need to know about the coral? I'm just trying to prepare for future hiccups if they do come.

 

[saltyphish]

I have heard gsp will aggressively take over your tank even if you put it on the back wall. Other than that I like them just don't want to have my coral choices limited due to it spreading. Good luck. I too have a 29 gallon biocube.

 

[legacy2mj]

Is there anyway to contain the GSP once it's around the size I would like it to be? I too have heard it grows like a weed but I can't imagine it being impossible to contain...

 

[NanaReefer]

If on a smooth surface like the tank walls it is very easy to control. GSP produces a mat. Cut where you want to and then using a razor blade or like and scrape to the cut. I've given a lot away using this method.
If however it's on the rock, not so easy to remove.

Seen here is Lavender Star Paly. Same as GSP. alone on it's rock, yet growing up the back wall. It was very easy to remove when I wanted.

 

[saltyphish]

Hmmm, I do like the idea of having something cover the back wall of my biocube. I also really like the metallic gsp. The only reason I have not done so is everyone keeps telling me they will overtake my tank and I will learn to hate them real quick. Might have to try back wall

 

[legacy2mj]

So by scraping the cut you made it will keep it from growing? I don't mind it taking over a good majority of my back wall I just wanted to keep it off the glass and live rock.

Does anybody have any advice on green hammer? How long do I let the frag sit before I attach it to my live rock. What other corals do I need to keep it away from? Is it a good idea to apply calcium supplements for the hammer?

I don't have a test kit of my own yet so I'm relying on the fish store to test my water and monitor my calcium levels before I acquire my own test kit.

 

[legacy2mj]

Did you use the bio balls that came with the bio cube or did you go with an alternate method?

 

[kingsofke]

For GSP growing like "weed" is still talking months. Keep its rock not touching any other rock and you can trim the edges every few weeks as you like or less often. It has a clear pinkish growing/advancing edge. If no rock nearby it will advance to sand and will be easy to cut. Green hammer is harmless coral unlike green torch coral. It will get irritated by other corals if touching or if attacked by tentacles like galaxea Corals even if far. For a biocube make sure not to buy any coral with long sweeper tentacles. Eventually in a year or so of there are enough corals, there will be competition for space and a faster growing coral can grow on to another coral. Like GSP growing over zoanthid (has happened to me ) if on the same rock. But it's too early to worry about.

 

[legacy2mj]

For GSP growing like "weed" is still talking months. Keep its rock not touching any other rock and you can trim the edges every few weeks as you like or less often. It has a clear pinkish growing/advancing edge. If no rock nearby it will advance to sand and will be easy to cut. Green hammer is harmless coral unlike green torch coral. It will get irritated by other corals if touching or if attacked by tentacles like galaxea Corals even if far. For a biocube make sure not to buy any coral with long sweeper tentacles. Eventually in a year or so of there are enough corals, there will be competition for space and a faster growing coral can grow on to another coral. Like GSP growing over zoanthid (has happened to me ) if on the same rock. But it's too early to worry about.

So my green hammer coral doesn't have the sweeping tenticles? I thought it did...