GSP Containment

[DoodleFish]

I am back in the saltwater hobby after a 5 year break. I have setup a BioCube 32 LED, and have started stocking after an appropriate fishless cycle.

While I like GSP, I have a constant fear that it is going to take over my tank. I would like to add some to this new setup, but the smaller 32 gallon size REALLY scares me that it will quickly take over the tank.

I understand the isolated rock theory, but I'm thinking of taking it to the next level, and wonder if this will work.

My theory is - if I take a flat rock, and attach some frag buttons to the bottom of it, so that it sits just above the sand, will that stop the GSP from growing off of the rock? I'm thinking that a lack of light on the bottom side of the rock, would not allow it grow any further?? Possible? Or will it just figure out a way to grow down into the sand anyway?

 

[KrisReef]

It is possible that the GSP will grow to the edge and look over and pull back from a fear of height, but i doubt that it will work to produce the isolation that you hope for.

As long as there is a reasonable gap between the island and the rest of the rock work, when the GSP tries to grow off the island you just have to pull out a sharp knife and cut it back. You can sell or donate the trimmings to others, or the trash if you can't find any takers.

 

[DoodleFish]

I had a little mishap with VIBRANT for Saltwater Tanks - didn't know there was a VIBRANT for Reef Tanks. Added it to control some early signs of green bubble algae, and it appears that VIBRANT killed my Torch coral after a couple of weeks. It is a known issue that VIBRANT will kill Euphylia corals, the algaecide attacks the algae inside of those corals. Unfortunately didn't know that before I started using it, found out after it was too late.

The skeleton of the torch was intact, so I went to my LFS and they gave me some small pieces of GSP from their very healthy, and very large GSP they have in their display tank. I attached those to the heads of the skeleton. They're open, and seem happy. I figure that gives me some time for it to cover everything and work it's way down to the base, before I have to start worrying about pulling it out and trimming it back.

Since the VIBRANT fiasco, I have started culturing my own Phytoplankton and Copepods. I've been adding Phytoplankton from the starter supply - for the past couple of weeks - water is the clearest I've seen so far, and I'm not having any continuing issues with algae.