Montipora touching Acropora

[MarkGrant]

I got my first half dozen SPS frags about six months ago. They have attached themselves well to my live rock and have really started to take off. What I initially thought was lots of space between them has quickly vanished. My Montipora has grown into the side of one of my Acropora's and it looks like it is losing the battle. Is it OK to leave it as is or should I cut it back? I see pictures of marvelous tanks will lots of SPS packed in them, which I can't imagine aren't touching. Thanks!

 

[fishieness]

Personal preference. One of them will probably lose the battle. SOme people like the super grown in look and let them duke it out. But it's a decent amount of energy wasted and stress that you could eliminate by trimming them so they are just out of reach. Up to you.

 

[MarkGrant]

Thanks...do most people trim their coral?

 

[seapug]

Thanks...do most people trim their coral?

I have to or I'd only end up with one coral in my tank.

Your Monti will lose the battle against the Acropora. If it doesn't get an infection, it will eventually change direction and grow away from the acro. It can look cool, but theres usually a very small gap between the two that becomes a trap for algae and detritus. You can usually juse your fingertips to snap off the leading edge of the monti to give them a little breathing room and still keep a that nice "dense growth" look.

 

[MarkGrant]

Thanks...I'll get the clippers out.

 

[Reeferhead]

I would trim the back as well but I'm really only posting here because Mark Grant is actually my fathers name and it through me off for a bit :lol: