KevinB Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 I've got a rock that is covered in red turf algae...and I've decided the easiest way to deal with it is to starve it out from the lighting. The rock is more or less a football shape on its end, so it is a vertical piece. What would you suggest to attach to the rock to grow over it and kill it off... Since its a vertical rock, the light par ranges from about 400 to 100. I'm looking for a coral that can handle a variety of lighting conditions, so that it could take over the entire thing. I really like Palys because of their polyp size...not a big fan of the little zoo polyps. I don't want to shade anything at the sand, so that rules out a monti shelf. I'm thinking of something that's more encrusting. I'd like something that grows fast, and I have some GSP I could use if need be, but that stuff is so invasive. Ideally, It's growth rate would be less than gsp, but still pretty fast. It would also have lots of color, especially under actinic light. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 Cyphestrea a meteor one at that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckyuv Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 rainbow montipora. The encrusting montis are awesome and grow pretty quick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsea Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 When you said lots of color, especially under actinics, you described GSP. I have some Xenia from the Red Sea that glows white and silver under actinics. I find it attractive, but I also find GSP attractive. The Waving Hand Anthenia is somewhat encrusting and grows as fast as GSP and Xenia. It has a blue/green tint on young polyps. It uses up a lot of tank volume as it grows. All three of these soft corals can get invasive if allowed to grow untended. Good luck on yOur choice. Patrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 2+ Bio3 you beat me to it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Grog Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I like some of the above ideas, but as another option, maybe one of the encrusting gorgonians? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Let me know if you need a frag I have a meteor shower and purple monster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinB Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 Grim and bio, I've never seen a cyphastrea in person, do the glow under actinics? A web search says they like low lighting...are we talking purple death/ blastomussa low? Or more towards the middle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Start it at the bottom and let it grow up. Hydro had a chunk he put in the shade and it now encrusts the Rick even up high under the 250 watt mh lights. I think they are neat looking at all times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grim Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Grim and bio, I've never seen a cyphastrea in person, do the glow under actinics? A web search says they like low lighting...are we talking purple death/ blastomussa low? Or more towards the middle? i love them 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 yeah, cyphastrea is amazing, but i dont think its gonna grow fast enough to choke out. youre probably gonna need GSP or anthelia or somethingto achieve that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Wow Grim! Is that your rock!? That's one of my favorites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Cyphastrea is probably my favorite coral btw. here's mine: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinB Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 (edited) So I like the cyphastrea, but as an alternative does anyone have experience with sympodium? http://www.liveaquar...082&pcatid=3082 Edited September 10, 2012 by mFrame (Mike) replaced non-working link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I can take it for a few days and let my tangs tear it up! lol. I had a bunch in my 90 gallon before I sold most of it. I put one rock in my 200 that had my RBTA from the 90 and they went to town on it! The Algae that is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I have my Meteor Shower up high in my tank also, at it has done very well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 So I like the cyphastrea, but as an alternative does anyone have experience with sympodium? http://www.google.co...320&bih=416#p=0 your link just takes me a generic google page. i guess i can google it on my own.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I believe Bayou cultivates these, but if not he might be able to answer as well. http://www.austinreefclub.com/forum/164-lone-star-aquaculture/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I like the paly option. There are some pretty ones out there, easy to grow, they move so it's not like a pretty immobile stick just sitting there, fragable to keep them at bay(unlike the xenia/GSP option mentioned). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinB Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 Indeed, I like palys too...but I'm having trouble finding info on one that can take higher lighting. My purple deaths love the shade, are there any that don't? Like I said, I really prefer the look of ppe and purple deaths/nuke greens with their dime sized polyps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckyuv Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 dude that cyphastrea is pretty cool looking, i might have to try some now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I've got some green ones that are sitting at about 9-12" off the substrate, under 5x54W T5's, that are thriving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I've got some green ones that are sitting at about 9-12" off the substrate, under 5x54W T5's, that are thriving. Dibs on a frag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+etannert Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Ditto! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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