What is a main consideration when spacing corals in a nursery?

When spacing corals in a nursery, the divers' ability to maneuver is a crucial consideration. Proper spacing ensures that divers can easily access the corals for maintenance, monitoring, and eventual transplantation to their natural habitat. If corals are too closely spaced, it can be challenging for divers to perform necessary tasks without risking damage to the corals or themselves. Adequate spacing also facilitates optimal growth conditions for the corals, minimizing competition for resources such as nutrients and light, while allowing for proper flow of water which is vital for their health.

Other factors like cost of materials, sunlight exposure, and color variation may be relevant in the broader context of coral nursery management but are not as immediate in terms of practical, day-to-day operational concerns for divers working in the nursery. Proper maneuverability directly impacts the success of the nursery's function and the health of the corals within it.