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Montipora attacking other SPS - recommended mitigating measures

Alexander1312

Alexander1312

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I have two montipora which are getting dangerously close to other SPS. Given their current growth rate, this should be less than a month now.

I recognize that I should have not placed them where I did but this was a decision I made before I knew better.

What are your suggestions to mitigate this problem without removing the rocks?

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Yeah depends what your goal is. If you want to completely kill them then a combination of chisel plus epoxy will be best. They'll grow over the epoxy within weeks though if you try and use that as your buffer zone.
 
I regret ever putting encrusting monti into my tank. I pulled the whole rock and nuked it from orbit and it survived, returned, and is about to be a problem again.

I would say kill it, or you’re going to have to manage its growth literally forever.
 
Darkxerox said:
Yeah depends what your goal is. If you want to completely kill them then a combination of chisel plus epoxy will be best. They'll grow over the epoxy within weeks though if you try and use that as your buffer zone.
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derek_SR said:
I regret ever putting encrusting monti into my tank. I pulled the whole rock and nuked it from orbit and it survived, returned, and is about to be a problem again.

I would say kill it, or you’re going to have to manage its growth literally forever.
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Oh boy, what a mess. There should be warning labels on these corals during frag swaps. I am less concerned about pests to be honest but these type of corals seem to be terrible. In my case it would mean I have to remove 70-80% of the aquascape. Probably a reason to exit the hobby.
 
It’s not that big of a deal in my opinion and nowhere in the range of true pests. I’ve dealt with similar. You can generally cut off most or all of it with coral cutters (+ chisel/screwdriver) to either control its growth or remove it. Aiptasia-X will kill any remaining living coral flesh if you want.
 
JVU said:
It’s not that big of a deal in my opinion and nowhere in the range of true pests. I’ve dealt with similar. You can generally cut off most or all of it with coral cutters (+ chisel/screwdriver) to either control its growth or remove it. Aiptasia-X will kill any remaining living coral flesh if you want.
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Not sure how I am supposed to cut off such a large piece. Melanurus on the picture is fully grown. The other one in the background is similar in size. Both are grown over major rock structures already.

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Alexander1312 said:
Not sure how I am supposed to cut off such a large piece. Melanurus on the picture is fully grown. The other one in the background is similar in size. Both are grown over major rock structures already.

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I’ve done as large. It comes off easier than you’d think. Just have to get in there and get your hands dirty… or in this case, wet

You aren’t cutting through all the rock, you are cutting/chipping/prying off the coral skeletal structure from the rock.
 
JVU said:
I’ve done as large. It comes off easier than you’d think. Just have to get in there and get your hands dirty… or in this case, wet

You aren’t cutting through all the rock, you are cutting/chipping/prying off the coral skeletal structure from the rock.
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Would this be inside or outside the tank? I am not able to take this rock out, unfortunately.
JVU said:
The purple stylo above it will be much harder to remove when the times comes FYI
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Why is this? It barely encrusted on the rock.
 
Alexander1312 said:
Would this be inside or outside the tank? I am not able to take this rock out, unfortunately.
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Inside. I saw you mentioned this requirement above.
Alexander1312 said:
Why is this? It barely encrusted on the rock.
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The skeleton is harder than rock once it gets more than about 1/2 inch thick. It’s difficult to frag and more difficult to remove. This was a major surprise for me, that’s why I mention it.
 
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