Green star polyps

[paal]

I'd like to get some green star polyps, but have heard "horror stories" that they easily grow out of control. If I place them on a rock that is isolated on my sandbed, is it likely that they will spread to other parts of my tank?

Thanks.

 

[Chiefsurfer]

they CAN. Ive only seen it in a few tanks, but it can form sheets and grow right over sand, and even grow onto glass.

Good thing that once it grows over the rock, if it tries to move onto the sand, it's probably a lot easier to rip those pieces off. PLUS, you can give them to your LFS for $1 per 5 polyps. Grow some nice sheets, and even at $1, you could make some dough.

 

[Toddrtrex]

They key, IMO, is to stay on top of the spreading -- don't say to yourself that you will take care of it tomorrow -- tomorrow turns into a week and then it is too late.

 

[tdp22]

Very easy to rip off and give to others.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I keep my star polyps on a separate rock on the sand bed. Every couple of months I have to prune them back.

 

[paal]

Thanks. So they will not reproduce sexually?
I don't mind pruning them back around the initial spot where I place them - was just worried that I could end up having a new colony starting at the other end of my tank some day.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Thanks. So they will not reproduce sexually?
I don't mind pruning them back around the initial spot where I place them - was just worried that I could end up having a new colony starting at the other end of my tank some day.

They do, just haven't seen any reports of it happening in tanks.

 

[paal]

Thanks again.
Gotta love RC <3

 

[Beaun]

Just keep an eye on them and you should be fine, if you start seeing them trying to spread out across the sand then it's time to trim them back. My pink star polyps never seem to want to go donw, only up, so I dont even have to trim them, you might luck out as well.

 

[Namnuta]

Mine grow really fast, but as long as i keep pruning them, they stay put. I have been pruning and placing them around my elephant ear to kind of frame it.
I need to cut my back about every 2 months to keep them in check. Mine tend to grow up not out as well.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Mine used to grow out, but recently started growing up. I thought that was a strange turn.

 

[sfilipowski]

I finally just put some on the back glass of the tank and let em' GOrow looks cool like grass flowin on the back.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I finally just put some on the back glass of the tank and let em' GOrow looks cool like grass flowin on the back.

I've done that before. :thumbsup:

 

[reeftanker10]

I had them in a tank and they didn't grow outta control, they spreaded but not as quick as some people have experienced

 

[Dlhirst]

I love the GSP in my tank. The movement they offer is mesmerizing. Perhaps I didn't (don't?) know better, but I just put the bunch right on the sand bed. It seems to spread both wider and taller. I have had it for only about ten weeks, and it has almost doubled in size. I can still see daylight between it and the rockwork. It is starting to hit that wall on the front glass though. Gonna tear some off and bring it to the LFS soon...

 

[Fishinboy84]

if anyone has some extra.... id sure be happy to take some off your hands haha


Justin

 

[R2E2]

Mine haven't been hard to control. They grow good, but its not like they take over a tank in a short period of time.

Fishinboy84
If you were local I would give you some, but they aren't worth the cost of shipping.

 

[Chiefsurfer]

^One guy on here, mentioned him before about this, has GSP in his tank. Think his tank is a 4 ft 180. For some reason, has tried EVERYTHING, can't get his calcium below 600, nor PH below 8.4(and everything is growing like a weed, and fish stores actually pay him to "recover" dying corals). He says his gsp can spread from the one rock he wants it on, 8" or so to the glass and start growing up the glass about another 8" in about a month. Now that's growth. He once gave somebody a 75lb sheet of it. But that's FAR!!! from typical from what I have seen.