Is this true?

[j.falk]

I read an Ebay auction description for green star polyps the other day that stated the following:

Great for introducing into marine aquariums. As a nutrient exporter, it absorbs, or feeds on dissolved organic waste. This Green Star Polyps thrives on fish waste, nitrates, & phosphates.

I was wondering how much truth there was to the seller's statement? If it actually does use fish waste, nitrates and phosphates to grow...that seems like an ideal coral to have in an aquarium to help control nutrients.

If it is true, do all soft corals use waste, nitrates and phosphates to grow?

[Bpb]

Originally Posted by j.falk

I read an Ebay auction description for green star polyps the other day that stated the following:

Great for introducing into marine aquariums. As a nutrient exporter, it absorbs, or feeds on dissolved organic waste. This Green Star Polyps thrives on fish waste, nitrates, & phosphates.

I was wondering how much truth there was to the seller's statement? If it actually does use fish waste, nitrates and phosphates to grow...that seems like an ideal coral to have in an aquarium to help control nutrients.

If it is true, do all soft corals use waste, nitrates and phosphates to grow?

All corals use nitrogen and phosphate, yes. They’re fundamental building blocks of zooxanthellae. Too much and there can be problems. Too much of anything is bad. You’d need a truckload of gsp to make a measurable reduction in nutrient levels in a closed system. That is just a shifty sales tactic to take advantage of inexperienced buyers


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[mcgyvr]

Yep...that is true of ALL corals.

[j.falk]

Originally Posted by Bpb

All corals use nitrogen and phosphate, yes. They’re fundamental building blocks of zooxanthellae. Too much and there can be problems. Too much of anything is bad. You’d need a truckload of gsp to make a measurable reduction in nutrient levels in a closed system. That is just a shifty sales tactic to take advantage of inexperienced buyers


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Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Yep...that is true of ALL corals.

Thank you!

Another question:

I keep seeing videos and photos of nano reef aquariums that are fully covered / jam packed with corals. What happens if an aquarium runs out of room (surface area) for corals to grow? Do they just stop growing or do they start dying off and pollute the tank?

[Daddi0]

The corals start to murder their neighbors

[j.falk]

Originally Posted by Daddi0

The corals start to murder their neighbors

What if a tank was full of only one type of coral?

[billdogg]

It would eventually start to die off in places that no longer have sufficient flow or lighting to support it.

[hkgar]

Originally Posted by j.falk

What if a tank was full of only one type of coral?

If it is green stars you will learn to hate them as virtually all of us, who as newbies, tried them as they look cool.

Not ever getting near my tank again.

[Reid]

If you want some add it to a rock island in flow. This can be trimmed back easy where as if it hits the main reef structure it will go everywhere.


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[ThRoewer]

A local store here has a display tank completely overgrown with green star polyps and it actually looks awesome.

[speedo2wet]

Be warned as other have tried to warn you. Once they grab a hold, they will take over your tank and grow everywhere. They will strangle your other corals. Best bet is to grow them directly on the and bed- easier to keep the colony at bay, maybe.


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[j.falk]

Are there different types of GSP? I've seen the different color varieties, but I've also seen some described as "branching"?

[j.falk]

Originally Posted by speedo2wet

Be warned as other have tried to warn you. Once they grab a hold, they will take over your tank and grow everywhere. They will strangle your other corals. Best bet is to grow them directly on the and bed- easier to keep the colony at bay, maybe.


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I don't have any corals yet. I'd like to grow them along the sand bed if possible.

[Oldreeferman]

Put down some small flat pcs. of live rock on the sand bed next to ea. other in a spot that gets medium flow, then place the GSP frag in the center & watch it spread....It is a good starter beginner coral as it does give instant satisfaction growth wise in a reasonably mature tank.....Its what i did, then when its covering all the rocks just cut them all apart & give the frags to the LFS or friends & start over IF you really want it in the tank but not out of control. Does give a nice green look & yes it does come in different colors, it is a softy coral & has a sting so dont let it come into contact with other corals in the future and run carbon IF you decide to have a lot of it as it gives off toxins like all soft corals do and some LPS & SPS don't get along well with these toxins. This way if you decide down the rd. you don't want it anymore its easy to remove. Ive kept just 1 small frag in the tank wife likes the waving grass look............

[j.falk]

Originally Posted by Oldreeferman

Put down some small flat pcs. of live rock on the sand bed next to ea. other in a spot that gets medium flow, then place the GSP frag in the center & watch it spread....It is a good starter beginner coral as it does give instant satisfaction growth wise in a reasonably mature tank.....Its what i did, then when its covering all the rocks just cut them all apart & give the frags to the LFS or friends & start over IF you really want it in the tank but not out of control. Does give a nice green look & yes it does come in different colors, it is a softy coral & has a sting so dont let it come into contact with other corals in the future and run carbon IF you decide to have a lot of it as it gives off toxins like all soft corals do and some LPS & SPS don't get along well with these toxins. This way if you decide down the rd. you don't want it anymore its easy to remove. Ive kept just 1 small frag in the tank wife likes the waving grass look............

Thank you. I appreciate the advice. Does it ever grow on to the sand bed or does it strictly stay on the rocks?

[Oldreeferman]

It prefers a hard surface normally but if out of space will send out arms searching for another surface when it has run out of rock that is why i remove & frag it to restart the cycle of growth. Its a growth of mat with polyps so it does not grow into sand only over it & easily picked up. Since it likes light it will grow up a solid glass side verses the sandbed if given a choice everytime.

[Uncle99]

I grow GSP on the back of the glass, about three inches from the top.
They always grow towards the light but are limited by the water surface, so they look great and never become overgrown.

Also, on the glass, they are quite easy to remove in large pieces, glue to a plug, and back to the store for trade.

[j.falk]

What's wrong with having a tank dominated by one coral?

[Oldreeferman]

Yawn........., huh, what?