SPS pruning, yes/no????

[MeVsTheWorld]

I did a quick search, but did not really come up with anything. I have observed some of my corals that get bumped and broke that they tend to grow a little faster and branch more. I have some(branches) that also have seemed to have stopped growing, and was wondering if this would be a good way to kick-start new growth in areas that are lacking. I am thinking of just like an 1/8" - 3/16" to be cut off from those branches. So, my question is, does anybody regularly break off the tips of slow growing branches? Would this be a benefit, or would it cause too much stress to the coral?

 

[MeVsTheWorld]

I'll be doing my weekly water change today, so I'm going to try this out on a couple of corals. I'll post back as the corals heal and grow.

 

[nvdiz]

there was a similar thread on this, but it was just about trimming random branches and not slow growing. i think that slow growing branches just need a little extra time. however, i do believe that trimming parts of the coral induces growth. Compensation

 

[aquavista99]

Based on my observations and personal experience, fragging stony corals does make the corals grow faster. Same concept applies to wild corals on the reef. Each coral in the wild must compete for space for survival, and when heavy storms or hurricanes come through, the damaged SPS corals grow back faster, otherwise other corals would overtake them.

 

[rigleautomotive]

I did a quick search, but did not really come up with anything. I have observed some of my corals that get bumped and broke that they tend to grow a little faster and branch more. I have some(branches) that also have seemed to have stopped growing, and was wondering if this would be a good way to kick-start new growth in areas that are lacking. I am thinking of just like an 1/8" - 3/16" to be cut off from those branches. So, my question is, does anybody regularly break off the tips of slow growing branches? Would this be a benefit, or would it cause too much stress to the coral?

Deffinately works for stagnant acros that just wont grow.I have had pieces that did nothing but survive for a year or more then explode with new growth after a few snips.

Large Stag colonies also appreciate a trimming and this causes multiple horizontal branching where a single branch was removed.Over many years trimming becomes necessary and when done regularly the colonies seem to grow more natural shapes IMO

 

[MeVsTheWorld]

Thanks guys. I have trimmed a couple and look forward to see the new growth.

Dan: I have a sunset millepora that branches like a stag, it gets tips busted regularly and has since been starting to branch out nicely