GSP from branch to mat

[servus]

...can it be done? I am looking to get a nicely set of branches to cover the back of my tank. I saw mats and branches all over the web, but could not find if it's actually possible to get a branched coral into a mat.

If no responses, I will go ahead and try, but if it's definitely not possible, I would rather not spend my time trying.

 

[Biglew11]

Branched corals will grow as branches, Entrusting corals will encrust. And plating corals will plate. Flow patterns in your tank will have some effect on the shapes of some of these, but in general you can't make a branching coral turn into a plating coral, Or vice versa.

What's the question of GPS from branch to mat? If your asking about green star polyps, they already form as mats. They will form whatever shape they are grown on.

 

[servus]

Yes, it's about green star polyps, and the one I got is just branches. I followed quite a few conversations on the web, one post even saying that if it's a GSP "branch type" it will only grow as branches, if it's the "mat variety" it will grow as mats. As much as that might make sense, I did not find anything to back it up.

I am assuming from your post that if I cut it and glue it to the back wall, it will grow into a nice carpet.

 

[Biglew11]

Look up (Briareum asbestinum) the polyps look similar to gsp but they are not.
Gsp only grows as a mat on a surface, (rock or dead coral). If these branches are soft enough to bend then it is not gsp on a hard branch underneath. It sounds like you may not have gsp. But something else.

 

[Casket_Case]

@sfin52 has some experience with GSP and branching

 

[sfin52]

@sfin52 has some experience with GSP and branching

@Biglew11 Its branching gsp. It forms round tubes up. @Crabby48 has some as well. Becareful since it branches it jumps easy

gsp.

 

[servus]

I took one of the thicker tubes (branches), I cut about 3/4 in long, split it open and glued it to the back wall. Seemed easy enough to do.

I will keep an eye on it, so it stays put.

Here's the main "tree" 5 minutes after the "surgery":

Here's the piece glued to the back wall:

They should open tomorrow or in a couple of days.

 

[sfin52]

I took one of the thicker tubes (branches), I cut about 3/4 in long, split it open and glued it to the back wall. Seemed easy enough to do.

I will keep an eye on it, so it stays put.

Here's the main "tree" 5 minutes after the "surgery":

Here's the piece glued to the back wall:

They should open tomorrow or in a couple of days.

I glued mine to return

 

[RPGLaz]

Did this work ?

 

[sfin52]

I glued mine to return

It did

 

[sfin52]

You cN see it top left. I used rubber band to attach it to my canistwr siphon tube. I did the same thing to the return. It's not doing as well ita in extremely high flow