Weak Encrusting SPS?

d2mini · Jul 15, 2015

I stopped putting encrusting montipora on my rocks because they keep spreading and always seem to kill/take over any branching sps they come in contact with.

Are there any encrusting coral that will yield to branching sps?
Something that would encrust, but stop when it gets to the base of another sps coral, or would let me glue another frag right on top of it and not start encrusting up the coral tissue of the new frag.

Mr. Microscope · Jul 15, 2015

In short, no. You need to give SPS several inches (4-6+) between one another to avoid competition. Close by can be tolerable for a short period of time, but when they are too close, they can, "smell" each other which slows down growth and can lead to wars. Running activated carbon can help to eliminate this to an extent, but it's better to just give them all plenty of room from the beginning.

Daniel@R2R · Jul 16, 2015

I think leptos are weaker than acros typically

AdamNC · Jul 16, 2015

When ever I see one of my encrusting montipora getting close to anything I just take a screwdriver and chop the edge back about 1/2". Doesn't hurt the monti any.