Valida - an SPS WEED ... seriously

specialk · May 3, 2018

So as far as I am concerned, there really is no such thing as a SPS that is a "weed" and growing out of control that would constitute a BAD issue ... I want to make that clear.

However, I do have a blue tipped (greenish base) Valida Acro that seriously is growing out of control and almost over taking the left portion of my tank.

I swear I can notice growth, new sticks forming every other day ... this thing is nuts.

I am wondering if others who have had or have this coral, notice the same thing. I mean this is a frag swappers dream ... lol

Krzydmnd · May 3, 2018

Pics or it didn't happen. [emoji23]

Reefpharmer · May 3, 2018

My valida is the same way. Quite massive

Big E · May 3, 2018

specialk said:
So as far as I am concerned, there really is no such thing as a SPS that is a "weed" and growing out of control that would constitute a BAD issue ... I want to make that clear.

However, I do have a blue tipped (greenish base) Valida Acro that seriously is growing out of control and almost over taking the left portion of my tank.

I swear I can notice growth, new sticks forming every other day ... this thing is nuts.

I am wondering if others who have had or have this coral, notice the same thing. I mean this is a frag swappers dream ... lol

Yup, it's a weed.........all tri-colors (valida and secale ) just grow too fast and then it becomes the actual space it takes up being more valuable than the coral itself..............it gets so you can't give frags away.

I've had this happen with other corals and that's when you sell it off and keep a good sized frag to do it all over again or move on to other acros. Either way it's a good "problem" to have

siggy · May 3, 2018

You got it rough

depositphotos_13980898-stock-illustration-cartoon-braggart.jpg

Travis Stewart · May 3, 2018

Send some this way

BigJim · May 3, 2018

At least it grows up and out so you can prune it. My ORA Red Planet was encrusting everything before tank issues killed it. I had to move a couple acros it was trying to grow over. That growth actually was a problem. If I get another Red Planet, it is going on its own rock.

specialk · May 3, 2018

Krzydmnd said:
Pics or it didn't happen. [emoji23]

Coming right up!!

Greybeard · May 3, 2018

Get yourself a nice frag of pocillopora damascus

You wanna see a 'weed' sps, that one qualifies!

chipmunkofdoom2 · May 3, 2018

Just send it my way. There hasn't been an SPS my tank hasn't been able to kill

mostlysticks · May 3, 2018

Greybeard said:
Get yourself a nice frag of pocillopora damascus

You wanna see a 'weed' sps, that one qualifies!

That's exactly what I was thinking. It grows like a weed too, but it also spawns and pops up all over the tank!

specialk · May 3, 2018

Keep in mind this first pick is the main frag on the bigger colony. Ijust sort of set it on a rock with the entention of setting it into a better spot later. Before I knew it, it had encrusted over the rock and was naturally in place. Then the 2nd pick, is when I seperated a piece of rock where some of the original colony had grown on to it -- and THAT is now out of control!

Reefer40b · May 3, 2018

100% a fast grower here is a pic of mine from a few months ago bigger now...

hafer12 · May 3, 2018

I can relate!

Scorpius · May 3, 2018

Tri-color Valida has just colored back up in my system after years in my tank. I wouldn't call it a weed.

BradB · May 3, 2018

I disagree, my plain purple valida always sells out, even for less than imho much nicer acros.

hafer12 · May 3, 2018

Night PE

specialk · May 4, 2018

hafer12 said:
Night PE

I like that one ... mine is more greenish at the base with carolina blue tips ...

mtraylor · May 4, 2018

You have a nice coral. Great job. All acros grow at different rates, so placement is crucial. I have had several of mine grow in together and start wars as I didn't anticipate their growth rate correctly. Some times I loose one due to them killing each other. I think what you have is just a good grower or what is usually labelled fast grower. Not like a weed though. There are several that are weeds IMO that I do not bother with. Just from my experience, some corals can grow into each other with no issues and others can not. You can never tell so be careful with the neighbors. Trim before they get together to be on the safe side. Good luck.