Any way to stop acropora from basing into each other?

[Joe's 220 Reef]

Hey all. I have a 220 gallon reef with numerous acropora. I have tried to leave 6-8 inches between but some are starting to base out like crazy (example Garf bonsai). Is there anyway to prevent basing into each other without killing them. I thought about using putty and either creating a wall that I can break off later as it is encrusted or use putty over a few inches of existing base. Has anyone had success in preventing basing between acropora? If so how?

 

[Lawpoke87]

Tagging along as I’m having similar issues.

 

[MightyMO]

My Garf is base encrusting real crazy also. Was curious if it was ever going to start growing any upward branches??? Hopefully this kickstarts this post...

 

[Joe's 220 Reef]

Mine has. I have been using putty on any areas that get too close to each other.

 

[Ling_Thing]

I think I’ve see a few of the sps dominant reefs using short pieces of pvc to glue on the rock then glue frags to the pvc it prevents the bases from spreading out and increases upwards branch growth if that makes any sense.

 

[MightyMO]

Mine has. I have been using putty on any areas that get too close to each other.

That is a beautiful specimen though...

 

[maroun.c]

Epoxy and breaking works well. Eventually coral top grows and shades the base so entrusting stops or decreases.