SPS placement in the tank

[Lavey29]

I just got my first SPS acros in my 10 month old tank. I understand placing them at the top with sufficient par and flow but typically how much space should you leave between each frag? Can they entertwine each other as they grow with no issues? I currently have about 5" of space between the frags. I'm assuming also if I buy 2 frags of the same genus like Bali slimer I can place them fairly close together?

 

[Ancient Mariner]

I wouldn’t worry too much at this point how far they are apart as probably you’ll be moving them around to find the best flow and light for each frag. Keep them far enough apart at this point from touching each other even if they might topple over. Once they start growing then worry about the distance they should be set apart for the long run.

 

[Hermie]

half of mine die in the spot I gave them so there ends up being too much space in between the surviving ones! Haha

That's to say, just be able to move it if you have to, to give it a better position

 

[damsels are not mean]

I just got my first SPS acros in my 10 month old tank. I understand placing them at the top with sufficient par and flow but typically how much space should you leave between each frag? Can they entertwine each other as they grow with no issues? I currently have about 5" of space between the frags. I'm assuming also if I buy 2 frags of the same genus like Bali slimer I can place them fairly close together?

you can really put them wherever you want if there is enough flow and light there. There are no hard rules about height.

As far as distance, it kind of depends on what your goals are. They will mostly branch up and out, and depending on the type the out and up balance is different. For tabling acros... They need lots of horizontal space. Torts on the other hand usually grow up like a pine tree. They will also grow around each other to a degree, but the concern then becomes flow in between branches. If they grow in a way you don't like you can just cut them.

 

[Lavey29]

you can really put them wherever you want if there is enough flow and light there. There are no hard rules about height.

As far as distance, it kind of depends on what your goals are. They will mostly branch up and out, and depending on the type the out and up balance is different. For tabling acros... They need lots of horizontal space. Torts on the other hand usually grow up like a pine tree. They will also grow around each other to a degree, but the concern then becomes flow in between branches. If they grow in a way you don't like you can just cut them.

Is there any warfare? I doubt they have the means right?

 

[damsels are not mean]

Is there any warfare? I doubt they have the means right?

They will try to fight but generally unless they get knocked into each other they will prefer to grow around more than fight to a degree. Every situation is different but they will show signs of stress that tell you it's time to consider pruning one or both if they do get too close for comfort.

 

[Lavey29]

They will try to fight but generally unless they get knocked into each other they will prefer to grow around more than fight to a degree. Every situation is different but they will show signs of stress that tell you it's time to consider pruning one or both if they do get too close for comfort.

When you say pruning, I've never fragged anything yet. Don't own a frag saw yet. How do you prune?

 

[damsels are not mean]

When you say pruning, I've never fragged anything yet. Don't own a frag saw yet. How do you prune?

With acros and other branching sps you don't even need a tool with many types, but all you should need is bonecutters or a hammer.

 

[sawdonkey]

Five inches is probably ok spacing. I like to pit my new frags on a small quarter sized piece of live rock and glue that to my rock work. Then, if I need to move the frag, I can just move the little rock with the frag on it and the frag itself is not disturbed. This works until it encrusts off the rock.

I find that acros do not avoid each other. They grow right into each other, and in most all cases, there is a loser. But it’s just the local spot where they touch that dies, not the whole colony.

 

[Lavey29]

Five inches is probably ok spacing. I like to pit my new frags on a small quarter sized piece of live rock and glue that to my rock work. Then, if I need to move the frag, I can just move the little rock with the frag on it and the frag itself is not disturbed. This works until it encrusts off the rock.

I find that acros do not avoid each other. They grow right into each other, and in most all cases, there is a loser. But it’s just the local spot where they touch that dies, not the whole colony.

This is what I was wondering if they touched. I just trimmed the circular frag plug down and glued it to my rocks in areas where the plug is not very visible. I hope the coral or coraline will eventually conceal the plug from view.

 

[Lavey29]

Five inches is probably ok spacing. I like to pit my new frags on a small quarter sized piece of live rock and glue that to my rock work. Then, if I need to move the frag, I can just move the little rock with the frag on it and the frag itself is not disturbed. This works until it encrusts off the rock.

I find that acros do not avoid each other. They grow right into each other, and in most all cases, there is a loser. But it’s just the local spot where they touch that dies, not the whole colony.

This is my current spacing for my SPS frags
Don't mind the cloudy water the snails dropped their love sauce in the water this morning.