Non-aggresive corals soon to meet

[skeety]

okay..so I'm pretty sure I already know the answer to my question, but just thought I'd share some thoughts and see if anyone has any input.

My GSP (green star polyp) is on steroids. It's growing like mad. Growing outward VISIBLY every day.

I have some Acro's on a rock that the GSP is starting to grow on.

Eventually (probably 2 months time) the two will meet.

Acro's aren't aggressive, and the GSP's only method of aggression it to overgrow it's competitors (correct?).

I know every one says frag it...but the rock it's on is the complete OPPOSITE of smooth, and any attempts to frag it on that side result in just scrapping it off. I can't get any chunk of any noticable size. So occasionally, I just take my algae scraper, and scrape away as best I can. This usually results in random polyps (deep in small holes) remaining. 1 here, 2 here, 1 over here...etc. This process is turning into a real PIA.

Now...I've seen pics of reefs, where Acro colonies get HUGE. SO big that they block out any light to it's base. Resulting in a nice table top of birght acro polyps held up by a base of dead acro skeleton. SO this leads me to believe that while the base/stalk might be dead, it's still sturdy enough to hold the whole colony up. (thoughts?)

I've also notice that when my GSP grows out horizontally and runs into any verticle obsticle, it tends to grow more AROUND it, then up it.

Mixing these two observations together, I'm wondering...since the GSP's not really toxic, and tends to (more often than not) grow around things, instead of up and over them...will my GSP really kill my acro's? Or instead form a green grass base around them?

If not, then I think I might have to take the GSP (along with the 7lbs of rock it's covering) out of the tank and to the LFS. Hopefully in exchange for an equal amount of fresh LR, at a minimum.

I was also thinking about maybe taking my 2-part mounting putty (Holdfast), and forming some sort of wall that folds back in. So when the GSP starts growing up it, it will be growing back over itself.

But not sure this would work.

I've also tried the kalk-paste cirlce around it....while it slowed it down by about a week, the GSP eventually just grew RIGHT over top of it.

I really like the GSP...but SOOO wish it would just stay the size it is. Hate to get rid of it...but don't know what else to do.

Thoughts? Advice? opinions?

[Twitterbait]

2 things

1.. Acros are VERY agressive. I have seen some nasty wars when they get too close.

2.. the best thing to do is to find a way to place some sand in between the GSP and the acro. when the GSP starts to grow over the sand it is easy to grab it and frag it away. you may need to get inventive but that is the best way IMO

[ASunshine]

Has anyone tried Poly OX on the GSP to control their growth?

[Ranran]

Starpolyps like zoas will damage your acros if you let them.
Fight them now to keep them contained. Glue some ruble rock across the line you dont want them to cross. When they over take the ruble just remove it and trade it with another reefer.

[Viv]

nice coral but what a pain in the butt...mine grew up the glass, into corners, and had bits that got into the sump and grew there...imo, sell it back to the lfs, if they'll take it!

[ASunshine]

If it has grown too far how do you cut it back?

[yardboy]

Naaaah,

GSP won't climb up on acro's

[yardboy]

And yes, acro's are very aggressive, that's why they grow so fast: