I've always heard not to place SPS too close to each other but everytime I see an ocean picture or a TOTM I always see them right next to each other practically touching...how is this so? I'm trying to turn my tank into an SPS dominated one so I'm trying to learn about placement
Placing SPS too close
- Thread starter joker577
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kevinpo
Expert
Hello,
Excellent question!
I would recommend 8" as a minimum between SPS corals. Over time they will meet no matter what the distance is between them. The hope is that they will become established and healthy enough to defend their space and come to some sort of an agreement with their neighbor. SPS corals are much more tolerant of nearby corals if they have been there a long time (1 year+). Often times one or both will change direction as the branches grow too close avoiding by the slightest margin shaking hands. Other times when they finally do make contact they will set up a white DMZ where neither coral advances on the other. Sometimes it will be necessary to trim back the offending coral (usually it is the ugly one attacking you most prized one
)
Regards,
Kevin
Excellent question!
I would recommend 8" as a minimum between SPS corals. Over time they will meet no matter what the distance is between them. The hope is that they will become established and healthy enough to defend their space and come to some sort of an agreement with their neighbor. SPS corals are much more tolerant of nearby corals if they have been there a long time (1 year+). Often times one or both will change direction as the branches grow too close avoiding by the slightest margin shaking hands. Other times when they finally do make contact they will set up a white DMZ where neither coral advances on the other. Sometimes it will be necessary to trim back the offending coral (usually it is the ugly one attacking you most prized one
)Regards,
Kevin
