Encruster war question

Fink · Jul 27, 2020

Good Evening Folks, I need some help. I'm trying to box in some clove polyps, and I've got three encrusters that I can use to carry out the task, but I'm not sure how they'll react with one another.

I have a Jackolantern Lepto, a Jedi Mindtrick Monti, and a Darth Maul Porites. If I use these to box in the clove polyps, will one of them kill the other two when they get close together? I could just get three different montis and call it a day, but variety seems cool to me.

Mastiffsrule · Jul 28, 2020

Evening

I don’t think any is particularly aggressive, but thinking ahead to grow out space with all encrusting may be an issue. I may keep the lepto separate to avoid being overshadowed by the monti or cloves. The monti and porite will need room to grow. I would try to control growth by fragging over boxing in. Otherwise you are limiting you room for growth. Just some thoughts

Fink · Jul 28, 2020

Mastiffsrule said:
Evening

I don’t think any is particularly aggressive, but thinking ahead to grow out space with all encrusting may be an issue. I may keep the lepto separate to avoid being overshadowed by the monti or cloves. The monti and porite will need room to grow. I would try to control growth by fragging over boxing in. Otherwise you are limiting you room for growth. Just some thoughts

How do encrusters interact with coral that grows upwards like Duncans or Candy Canes? Will they try to grow up the skeleton and choke out the other coral? I'm not really familiar with encrusters, but wanted to get some for the cool color varieties, and the aforementioned clove control. My encrusters are on their own little islands right now (which is where my cloves should be :P )

Mastiffsrule · Jul 28, 2020

Candy canes and things like branching hammers will grow vertical. The encrusting should not bother them.

Look thru the lepto thread, it will give you an idea of how the grow. Kind of like pouring thick syrup on the rock. Months the same, but can plate and make ledges causing shadow. Key is to leave room for them to grow. Doesn’t have to be 1/2 the tank, but enough it can spread.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/show-off-your-leptoseris-lepto-coral.726177/