How much space between sps frags?

[sfexplicit]

How much space should I leave between my sps frags? Is there a general rule of thumb kind of idea? All my frags are pretty much 1/2" to 2". Or should I go with the type of sps it is, how fast they grow, what shape they take on after getting bigger? What do you guys suggest?

 

[Guy340]

I actually regret putting my frags so close together. Right now I wish that I could just dismantle everything and start over again. Mine are ~4 - 6" apart, and I really wished I would've went with 14"-18" apart. It just sucked looking at a tank full of frags, but now that they're mini colonies, my corals are starting to compete on space and they're killing each other off slowly.

 

[reefried]

I actually regret putting my frags so close together. Right now I wish that I could just dismantle everything and start over again. Mine are ~4 - 6" apart, and I really wished I would've went with 14"-18" apart. It just sucked looking at a tank full of frags, but now that they're mini colonies, my corals are starting to compete on space and they're killing each other off slowly.

......14 to 18 apart in a 120....you'll only fit 4-6 sps in that tank:eek2::spin1::eek2:

 

[Guy340]

I know, but they grow pretty big. I wouldn't mind 4 - 6 only.

 

[kvosstra]

Depends on the coral - some corals encrust massively before branching out, others just encrust a small amount before shooting up.

At a minimum, I'd suggest placing corals 6" apart. However, corals that are known to encrust larger, should in theory be spaced at a greater distance.

I would suggest planning out your coral types and then their eventual locations in the rock work before you attach them.

Best,
-Kyle

 

[x2uranium]

Put all your frags on smaller rocks, If you have em encrust on to your larger rocks its a pain in the rear to move them around if you need to.

 

[sfexplicit]

Thanks. Sounds like sound advice. I usually glue all my frags I get on small rubble rocks that are about 1" or so big then attach them to my rockwork. I have moved some around because I thought they were unhappy in their location. I was looking in my tank and realized that it is quickly filling up with frags. Most are 3-5 inches apart. Hope that is enough room for them to grow out and up. Was just curious as to what everyone else does. Thanks.

 

[Reefer08]

You want to give them plenty of room to grow so no less than 4-5 inches

 

[shaggy14]

or jam them all together and make lots of frags when they start to grow into each other =)

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

If you can maximize your aquacape to use the top of the rocks and two sides you will be better off.

Do you research and see how each coral grows and the average rate or you'll have to contend with alot of shading issues after a year or so.

As frags turn into colonies you will likely have increased flow needs too.

The space is up to you. Logic would tell me I could've spent $$$ on about 6-7 great pieces in my 175 and let them grow into impressive colonies, but I don't have the constraint to stare at rock and 6-7 growing pieces so you end up with a big crowd. They grow like mad until shading and war happens them you pull the ones out that Darwin beats....along the way you frag fast growers by accident and plug them in another spot because it's just too big to toss/give away and it grows from there:spin2::spin3:

See where you're going? It's a nice nuthouse though!

 

[sfexplicit]

If you can maximize your aquacape to use the top of the rocks and two sides you will be better off.

Do you research and see how each coral grows and the average rate or you'll have to contend with alot of shading issues after a year or so.

As frags turn into colonies you will likely have increased flow needs too.

The space is up to you. Logic would tell me I could've spent $$$ on about 6-7 great pieces in my 175 and let them grow into impressive colonies, but I don't have the constraint to stare at rock and 6-7 growing pieces so you end up with a big crowd. They grow like mad until shading and war happens them you pull the ones out that Darwin beats....along the way you frag fast growers by accident and plug them in another spot because it's just too big to toss/give away and it grows from there:spin2::spin3:
I feel you pain!!!

See where you're going? It's a nice nuthouse though!

 

[x2uranium]

It's a nice nuthouse though!

Amen!