Spurring new sps growth

MMAX · #1 05-12-2011, 12:25 AM

Any ideas on how to get these guys to branch out?

lastlight · #2 05-12-2011, 12:57 AM

The first one seems to really have encrusted well so it's possible that one won't show any growth at the tip and instead sprout from the bottom like some of mine have. The second though hasn't even encrusted so I think it's maybe too early to start snipping.

And after reading this thread last night I went and cut 4 of my frags. I was scared to try and snap them for fear of breaking off far more than intended so I did the 'crush the tip' off technique. Guess now I'll wait and see.

reefermadness · #3 05-12-2011, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMAX

Any ideas on how to get these guys to branch out?

That first one definately has the rounded stunted growth look. No growth tips.....a trim of the very tip will help.

Second one looks like it has a growth tip...its a stag so it might get pretty long before it branches....

MMAX · #4 05-12-2011, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefermadness

That first one definately has the rounded stunted growth look. No growth tips.....a trim of the very tip will help.

Second one looks like it has a growth tip...its a stag so it might get pretty long before it branches....

Just snip with cutters at the tip?

spawn · #5 05-12-2011, 03:58 AM

Seriously... how long have you had those? Maybe just give'm a little bit of time to settle into your tank before you start snipping, snapping or trimming. What are your parameters? Your tank "It looka kinda new." But if you really wanna cut em, go ahead & then sit back for a day & watch them take off, it happens really really fast!

MMAX · #6 05-12-2011, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spawn

Seriously... how long have you had those? Maybe just give'm a little bit of time to settle into your tank before you start snipping, snapping or trimming. What are your parameters? Your tank "It looka kinda new." But if you really wanna cut em, go ahead & then sit back for a day & watch them take off, it happens really really fast!

I've had those in the tank for 5 months and the tank is well over a year old.

spawn · #7 05-12-2011, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMAX

I've had those in the tank for 5 months and the tank is well over a year old.

hmmm. What are you parameters? Mine just turned 1 year old on Monday, & I've got some in mine that have grown more in the last 2 weeks w/o trimming. Just saying. I'll post another 2 month growth shot in the FTS thread tomorrow. None of mine started to grow well until I got virtually ULNS. Try mounting them sideways then, I've done that too & got good growth as well.

bignose · #8 05-12-2011, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

I would snip them off the plugs and re-glue them horizontally. I find frags grow much quicker when mounted on their sides, especially "spike" frags with no branching. Those spiky ones can be tough to get going when mounted vertically.

I do this with most of my frags and it works.

chris121277 · #9 05-12-2011, 02:00 PM

Great topic guys.....I'm just tagin along here

lastlight · #10 06-14-2011, 05:49 PM

All 4 corals I snipped have new growth at those tips. I went ahead and went postal on 6 more corals today.