Acros growing thicker…

[Necrodaemus]

A lot of my acros are growing thicker but not doing much outward growth (besides encrusting). This yellow tip (first pic) was acquired back in May and has since taken on a “chunkier” appearance. Second photo is current state.

 

[Rocktron1]

Give it time mate
You only got them in may, they can take ages to start growing then 1 day you'll notice some shoots extending. I've had my 2 for well over 6months before I had any growth. 1 really starting to grow outward on multiple shoots, the other only just started with 2 tiny shoots. I'll get photo shortly for you to see what it looks like in the early stages

 

[Necrodaemus]

Give it time mate
You only got them in may, they can take ages to start growing then 1 day you'll notice some shoots extending. I've had my 2 for well over 6months before I had any growth. 1 really starting to grow outward on multiple shoots, the other only just started with 2 tiny shoots. I'll get photo shortly for you to see what it looks like in the early stages

Right. I’m just wondering what could be causing them to get thicker.

 

[Rocktron1]

The one on bottom left was only one stem in middle and now is going nuts.

The top right one was bought like this. You can see the very top left 2 tips on it just started extending 2 weeks ago. They are a whiter colour at 1st then colour up as they grow

 

[malacoda]

Could be any number of reasons or combination of reasons...

Some corals grow thicker and more closely together in higher flow, longer and less dense in lower flow. Others are the opposite.

Same for light levels.

Alk levels and temperature can also cause some corals to do so as well.

And some just naturally spread out and form a wide base before their branching efforts begin to take off.

Doesn't mean any of those levels are 'off', it just means the frags are still figuring out how to best adapt to them. The fact that they're growing at all is a good sign. Give them 6-8 months and see what happens.

 

[bobnicaragua]

If you want faster growth, look for ways to increase PH.

Kalkwasser will help.

My house was built in 2008 and is tightly sealed. I keep a window barely cracked, and get an improvement in coloration and uptake in alk. I tried this after noticing the tank would take off every time the family is away for a few days.

 

[Necrodaemus]

If you want faster growth, look for ways to increase PH.

Kalkwasser will help.

My house was built in 2008 and is tightly sealed. I keep a window barely cracked, and get an improvement in coloration and uptake in alk. I tried this after noticing the tank would take off every time the family is away for a few days.

That’s another struggle I’m having. PH is 8.4 during the day but drops to 7.8 at night.

 

[Dburr1014]

That’s another struggle I’m having. PH is 8.4 during the day but drops to 7.8 at night.

That is not a problem

 

[Lavey29]

Think of it like a sappling young tree. It has to build its root structure (base) first before it can start its upward growth otherwise it will not be able to support itself especially in high wind (Flow in tanks).

Lighting and flow also play a roll in SPS growth with some set ups promoting more vertical growth while other set ups promote more based out thicker growth also.

 

[Pod_01]

A lot of my acros are growing thicker but not doing much outward growth (besides encrusting).

Out of curiosity, what is your PO4 level at? I observed on my tank that PO4 above 0.05 can result in thicker acros. Also ones that have denser skeletons (they don’t seem to break easily). Just my observation, no microscope or coral bone analysis etc…
So PO4 is my bet but it might be related to other trace element interactions or other factors (flow, light etc…).
Good question.