Are encrusting corals a mistake?

[ABQ_CHRIS]

I have a mostly peaceful tank outside of my Euphyllia. It SOUNDS like a good idea to fill in dead space with encrusting coral, but I have seen some people saying that they regret their encrusters.

What do you think? And if they aren't a mistake, do you have recommendations?

Thanks for taking the time. I appreciate it.

 

[Lavey29]

I go by the theory there's enough reef for everyone and the corals will determine their own space as they grow.

 

[wculver]

I have a mostly peaceful tank outside of my Euphyllia. It SOUNDS like a good idea to fill in dead space with encrusting coral, but I have seen some people saying that they regret their encrusters.

What do you think? And if they aren't a mistake, do you have recommendations?

Thanks for taking the time. I appreciate it.

The thing with the encrusters is you can just plop something on top of them. Many of them will also make cool shelves on the rockwork and ultimately more places to put other coral. I'd say highly recommended.

 

[Waters]

It depends on the encruster......I will never put another monti in again because of how fast they encrust and take up space. Acro encrusters are welcomed :)

 

[Dburr1014]

Encrusters also make shelves when they run out of rock. Easy to snap off and frag.

 

[flyfisher2]

Placement is everything. If you place a Red Digi next to your Walt Disney acro you may have some issues in a few months. Have an idea of what you want your tank to look like long term and try and plan accordingly.

 

[Syntax1235]

I’ll never put a monti in my tank again unless I can isolate it on its own rock.

 

[CHIEF_OF_THE_REEF]

I have a bunch of encrusters in the frag tank. Not a one in the display, however I have thought about attaching one to the back glass. Some of them can be very invasive and for me, I am picky on what goes in the display.

 

[ABQ_CHRIS]

Thanks for all of the thoughtful responses. I will probably avoid the rainbow Montipora even if it is pretty.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I really like montis. I say "proceed with caution." Have a plan for how you will deal with encrusting that gets out of hand before you put the coral in the tank.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Depending on the species involved, after multiple encrusters grow out, they usually keep each other in check. I have a tank full of various montis, leptoseris, pavona, etc, and there is usually one that keeps the others at bay. I do not do mixed reefs though, so that may be why it is okay for me.

 

[ABQ_CHRIS]

I really like montis. I say "proceed with caution." Have a plan for how you will deal with encrusting that gets out of hand before you put the coral in the tank.

Sounds like a prudent plan, thank you.

 

[homer1475]

Encrusting monti's, never again!

I have a very large and beautiful sunset monti, only problem is anything it touches, it kills, and grows over.

I have a nice mini colony of sarmentosa. I mounted it dead center of the monti, it is now starting to kill and encrust up the sarmentosa. Need to apply some kalk paste to kill it off before it completely kills the sarmentosa.

 

[G Santana]

Inevitability, whatever we place in our tanks will be a problem do to our success.
If you place it in your tank and give it the right conditions you have set into motion wars all over your tank for space and light.
It's inevitable.

 

[Dburr1014]

Inevitability, whatever we place in our tanks will be a problem do to our success.
If you place it in your tank and give it the right conditions you have set into motion wars all over your tank for space and light.
It's inevitable.

Very true!

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I don’t think they are u just need to plan and design the scape for species selectivity.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Inevitability, whatever we place in our tanks will be a problem do to our success.
If you place it in your tank and give it the right conditions you have set into motion wars all over your tank for space and light.
It's inevitable.

That’s a good problem to have and is really a problem to have a healthy system. Lol.

 

[ChiCity]

this is a mistake

attempting to keep sps… is not.
(try your best, you will succeed)

 

[G Santana]

That’s a good problem to have and is really a problem to have a healthy system. Lol.

I think that's the problem we all strive for lol

 

[ABQ_CHRIS]

Inevitability, whatever we place in our tanks will be a problem do to our success.
If you place it in your tank and give it the right conditions you have set into motion wars all over your tank for space and light.
It's inevitable.

That sounds like the beginning of a novel!