How do YOU stack up when it comes to growing coral? Let's compare!

[Hermie]

I was getting great growth when I started kalkwasser but eventually the dosing got out of hand and it burned my sps.

So my point is... my growth is directly related to keeping my alkalinity in check

 

[KrisReef]

Acropora: (inches) Never grows an inch when I'm watching. Then bam, a 1" frag becomes a ~2.0 cu inch mini-colony. It then stops growing when I notice what it's been up to.

Montipora: (inches) Holy heck, how did that 2" sq frag take over 16 cubic inches in that hole where I thought I'd buried it?

Zoanthids: (polyps) Hitchhikers. These I should have killed. They spread everywhere, exponentially in the last month. 2 became 24 in at least five areas in my tank. These are on the cull list now.

Mushrooms: (polyps) I have two I really like. They are still alive. The cousins I removed those were prolific metallic shrooms that were going exponential. From 2 to 30 in 6 months (est N). I gave them to my buddy with a LFS. He likes the two I still have and we have been waiting 3 years now for those to spread. Still nothing.

Euphyllia: (heads) Mixed review. Rescue branching hammer may have doubled (2 to 4), Bubble (wall) was growing like my montipora but it's slowed now since becoming crowded in its corner (now at least~36 Cu In). Another rescue, got eaten pretty good by a butterfly fish that I was told was a proven reef safe individual. That head has recovered but is still laying low in case the butterfly returns.

Leathers: (inches) Praise the Lord! I traded those in at 6 green inches before they got a total foothold. I love them but they cannot be stopped. (I have a photosynthetic sponge that I have been grown and trimming for my lfs buddy but that stuff is going away soon.)

 

[Lasse]

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Seven months later from december 2019 to july 2020

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another comparison

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Sincerely Lasse

 

[Doctorgori]

my hammers grow a head every 3-6 mo or so... Montis and Hollywood stunner grow sorta fast, my Lords get a head every other month or so, and supposedly slow growing favias do ok....
I have issues with shrooms currently...
Acros are all. new....we’ll see

 

[ajjw0828]

pic is from june and now so 4 months
but i also have some that look the same as when i got them

That might be some of the best growth I've ever seen! Good work. .You definitely need a build thread so we can learn your secrets, lol!

 

[ca1ore]

My corals grow fast enough. Too slow and the tank looks empty; too fast and I’m pruning stuff all the time. My large green slimer is the ‘canary’ for growth. As long as it’s putting on about a 1/2” per month I figure everything else is good. This is about 2 months.

 

[Paulie069]

My coral grow slow probably because of the temperature I keep tank 72.5-73.5 max and everything is doing well in that temp but I will admit not fast but all are healthy n grow all the time it’s just a little at a time
8 months old

 

[Lasse]

My coral grow slow probably because of the temperature I keep tank 72.5-73.5 max and everything is doing well in that temp but I will admit not fast but all are healthy n grow all the time it’s just a little at a time
8 months old

Why that low? its around 23 degree C. I thought that I was low 25 degree C (77 F)

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Paulie069]

Why that low? its around 23 degree C. I thought that I was low 25 degree C (77 F)

Sincerely Lasse

For my seahorses they like it a little on chiller side H.Erectus North Atlantic Ocean is cooler than most

 

[Lasse]

OK

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Auquanut]

How fast or slow do these corals grow for you in a 6 month average?
Over the last 6 months?

Acropora: (inches)
Average about 3". Slimer and a couple of unnamed acros much faster. A couple slower.

Montipora: (inches)
Monti cap 3 to 4". Monti digi at least 4".

Zoanthids: (polyps)
Way too hard to tell. I keep them pruned to a certain extent, and have a large mixed colony.
They fill in pretty quickly.

Mushrooms: (polyps)
I've increased the lighting in that side of the tank to inhibit their growth and encourage the growth of other corals. Working like a charm, so negative growth.

Euphyllia: (heads)
I pulled one large colony of hammers (about the size of a cabbage) and have one left. I'd say it's grown maybe 10 heads, but really have no idea. I'll probably cut it way back soon.

Leathers: (inches)
I pulled my toadstool about 4 months ago due to lack of space. Until then, I'd say about 2" every 6 months.

My stylos, birdsnest and especially hollywood stunner chalice grow faster than I can cut them back. Especially the chalice. I'd say well over 6", and probably much more. I may have to go lumberjack on these guys.

*Remember this is a 6 month average

 

[Tek]

I'd say they grow pretty slow haven't mastered this whole Coral growth thing yet only ones for me that seem to grow fast are the ones that everybody considers weeds

Water management and quality is important. Read this article on reef chemistry. It made me a better coral farmer.

The "How To" Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[Pistol Peet]

Water management and quality is important. Read this article on reef chemistry. It made me a better coral farmer.

The "How To" Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Thank you

 

[X-37B]

Acro stag 6"
Montipora digi 6"
Here is 1 year growth on a purple stag and digi.
My green slimer based out for 1 year and is now taking off.
Really depends on the coral.
I had a tri color, elkhorn monti, and wild tenuis that I removed because they grew to fast, like a weed, in a years time.

Here is an update.
I just removed the stag to my frag tank.
Made some frags and have the larger top piece I am going to mount in the frag system.
I needed the room and have 2 other similar pieces growing in the 120.
I took a few more frags of the digi as it is growing very close to the glass now.
Good growth on all.

 

[KrisReef]

Your blue ridge is sweet! Love to have that coral

Did you ever get a frag of Blue Ridge? Mine started growing and I could trim a piece if you have space?