What makes Sps branch??

[Cibo]

I have a few peaces in my tank it seems like they do more encrusting then branching. I have polp extention and color but it seem like it just want to encrust! I under stand they are animals with their own plan for life, thought maybe there may be away to get them to grow up!!

thanks

 

[howze01]

Pretty much all SPS encrust before they grow up. It just gives them a sturdier base. Think of all that weight that it will be holding up, the wider, thicker and stronger the base, the better. I think it's a good sign and in time it will start growing up and out. Unless of course, you have an encrusting SPS like Montipora or something. Superman Monti, for example, just spreads out over a rock and encrusts it.

 

[Mattl22]

Other ppl might tell u different but ime most sps grow painfully slow when they start out as 1/2" frags takes months for them to encrusted Nicely settle in and start branching! I only get 1/2 frags if it's something really nice other wise I look for multiple branch!
My sps tank been up a year and only sps that have grown into colonies r birdsnest poccilopora and stylo!
Seems like the guys with larger systems and lg sumps have better quicker growth!

 

[knugenx]

pretty much all sps encrust before they grow up. It just gives them a sturdier base. Think of all that weight that it will be holding up, the wider, thicker and stronger the base, the better. I think it's a good sign and in time it will start growing up and out.

+1

 

[howze01]

Seems like the guys with larger systems and lg sumps have better quicker growth!

Stability is a large part of SPS (and pretty much all coral) growth. The more water, the more stability you have. Hence the better growth. I'm sure there are plenty of other reasons but I think that's a pretty big part of it.

 

[knugenx]

water chemistry + lighting + good flow

 

[DJYoshi]

Cibo I have some fast growing SPS frags if you want em.. I think I'll be in S.I. this Saturday for a couple of hours...
everyone that I've given frags to said they've grown branches in a month..... I find myself trimming the mother colonies every other

 

[rkaragozler]

Sorry to hi jack the thread, Yoshi what do you have, I'm interested also.

 

[FaviaFreak]

water chemistry + lighting + good flow

this

 

[rkaragozler]

I have noticed that sps are like rose bushes, it might sound stupid but it is true. the more you cut the more it branches. But this is just my observation.

 

[pauliwalnuts]

I agree with you Rich. Read about it, tried it, and it actually works too. But guys, don't go rushing into doing something like this until all your parameters are in check and you are providing the coral with sufficient light and flow.

 

[smoq]

I'm so tempted to cut that tiny oregon tort frag I bought that has been growing straight upwards for the past 8 months

 

[pauliwalnuts]

I'm so tempted to cut that tiny oregon tort frag I bought that has been growing straight upwards for the past 8 months

Same here. Lol...
I'm going to cut mine pretty soon. I'm cutting mine twice, at the complete bottom and then halfway. Afterwards, I glue the two pieces around the original (the one cut completely at the bottom). The top piece is glued with the cut piece exposed. It's at that exposed skeletal where they will strat to brach from.

 

[Cibo]

Today I gave My SPS a hair cut!!! To see if it will branch out more.... So I cut it up and put it on some plugs. lets see how the mother and frags do!!!

 

[Turbovr3six]

I get frags to branch more by attaching them sideways to the plug, instead of straight up.

 

[Cibo]

I am trying to get the mother to spread....

 

[Cibo]

Got frags!!!!

 

[pauliwalnuts]

Tri color validia?

 

[Cibo]

I beleave it is validia I dont know if it is Tri color The mother is purple ish and green, when the moon lights are on it glows

 

[rkaragozler]

sweet, good luck. I'm in for a frag.