Island control

[ahud]

Can xenia, GPS, ect, be controlled by putting them on islands? I have a few rocks a little larger than a golf ball that I want to set 1" off of my main island and let the invasive stuff colonize it.

[Alysiak00]

yea no problem, just don't let the gsp or xenia touch the glass because it will climb right up the wall.

[cloak]

That should be ok, just keep a close eye on them though. Those corals can reach quite a bit when conditions are right. I've seen those purple mats take on all kinds of shapes and forms.

[preef]

Put Xenia at the top. They have a harder time growing down the island than up. If you put them at the base they'll quickly take over the entire island. 1" away from the main island is way too close. They'll reach over and grow a foot and than attach.

[Cahooligan]

GSP grow pretty fast, but theyre hard, and actually easy to break, so as it trys to leave the island, just simply break it, and you get a small little frag of it. really easy to control...nowhere near as hard as aiptasia...haha

[TheH]

xenia can actually detach from the base, flow around your tank, and then re-attach.

[Onedeadbob]

+1 on the detaching/floating and re-attaching in a different location.

I think you can slow down the spread of xenia with an island, but you will definitely have to keep an eye out for it popping up in other locations.

[ahud]

I'm torn between two aquascapes. I want to get a few fast spreading corals and let them take over the tank naturally like a little piece of reef. On the other hand, I want to aquascape with a mix of LPS and softies to suite my fancy.

I'm equally interested in both setups.

[SushiGirl]

I'm torn between two aquascapes. I want to get a few fast spreading corals and let them take over the tank naturally like a little piece of reef. On the other hand, I want to aquascape with a mix of LPS and softies to suite my fancy.

I'm equally interested in both setups.

I know what you mean, I am too. Every day I look at the tank trying to think what the better way to go is LOL. I'll have to make a decision soon!

[ahud]

Do you think since my tank will only bet setup for 3 years it is not worth doing the slower growing corals? After I graduate from my current school I am going to move all the way across the country (from SC to Oregon).

I like the natural look of softy takeovers.