Kicking that one acro into gear

[Brandon McHenry]

How much Kalk are you adding per gallon?

2tsp per gallon which is the max if I’m not mistaken. In a 35 gallon all in one the evaporation is crazy high though.

 

[lemonade]

2tsp per gallon which is the max if I’m not mistaken. In a 35 gallon all in one the evaporation is crazy high though.

You could try adding more kalk I usually do 1tbsp per gallon but have done 2tbsp on occasion. It will definitely bring up cal/alk if you mix it that strong so you have to watch those. Having a higher PH level helps with growth imo, but it's not the end of the world if you can't get it there.

If that's the only coral not growing for you I honestly wouldn't really change much, if anything at all. Best bet is probably to just try cutting it and see of that wakes it up

 

[sawdonkey]

I’m in the “some corals are just slow” camp. Ignore it for six months and focus on what’s doing well.

I always have 4-5 pieces in my tank in this situation. Every now and then you just notice that one has taken off.

 

[Daddy-o]

You could try adding more kalk I usually do 1tbsp per gallon but have done 2tbsp on occasion. It will definitely bring up cal/alk if you mix it that strong so you have to watch those.

Kalk reaches its max. saturation at 2 teaspoons per gallon of RO. (unless you add vinegar-then you can add an extra tsp. per approx. 45ml of vinegar) At 2 tablespoons per gallon, you are sending a lot of unused kalk into your system?

 

[Brandon McHenry]

You could try adding more kalk I usually do 1tbsp per gallon but have done 2tbsp on occasion. It will definitely bring up cal/alk if you mix it that strong so you have to watch those. Having a higher PH level helps with growth imo, but it's not the end of the world if you can't get it there.

If that's the only coral not growing for you I honestly wouldn't really change much, if anything at all. Best bet is probably to just try cutting it and see of that wakes it up

Does that amount of kalk even dissolve at that dosage? I definitely want my pH higher for the overall health of the tank but I try to do it in the safest ways possible. I could try to snip it to see what happens.

I’m in the “some corals are just slow” camp. Ignore it for six months and focus on what’s doing well.

I always have 4-5 pieces in my tank in this situation. Every now and then you just notice that one has taken off.

I agree which is why I try to just leave them. But it’s been dormant for 8 months already, it’s just odd. I am glad though that the rest of the tank is doing well.

 

[ScottR]

This was my brand new tank with a fresh cut frag to test the waters. 6-7 weeks ago

Last week. Cutting does force them into grow mode. But doesn’t always work. Some just want to encrust for me. Each have a mind of their own.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

This was my brand new tank with a fresh cut frag to test the waters. 6-7 weeks ago

Last week. Cutting does force them into grow mode. But doesn’t always work. Some just want to encrust for me. Each have a mind of their own.

That’s true, which is why I usually don’t like to try the technique with unhealthy corals. But since this one has been healthy for so long it may just be worth a shot.

 

[Daddy-o]

This was my brand new tank with a fresh cut frag to test the waters. 6-7 weeks ago

Last week. Cutting does force them into grow mode. But doesn’t always work. Some just want to encrust for me. Each have a mind of their own.

So the stick is now the dominant. If you were to cut it, the axial coralites on the crust would compete to be dominant.

 

[lemonade]

Kalk reaches its max. saturation at 2 teaspoons per gallon of RO. (unless you add vinegar-then you can add an extra tsp. per approx. 45ml of vinegar) At 2 tablespoons per gallon, you are sending a lot of unused kalk into your system?

You're right I just checked my scooper I guess it is a tsp. Not sure why I had tbsp in mind.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

You're right I just checked my scooper I guess it is a tsp. Not sure why I had tbsp in mind.

That did seem high ;Hilarious

 

[Joedubyk]

Move it

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Move it

If it wasn’t attached I think that would be the way to go. I guess I’d be reluctant to break the whole thing off the rock.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

So I decided to take a 1/8 inch snip off of one of the branches. I’m curious to see how it does. I’d still like to hear everyone’s thoughts about how you get that one acro to start growing again!

 

[Tmtdvm]

Interesting thread. I wave a Walt Disney Jr that was doing great in my 40g tank, moved it to my 120g with more stable parameters and it’s been going down hill. I cut it because the tips were bleaching out and moved it from the front of the tank to the side next to my Mojo Man where my Gyros may have been blasting it with too much flow. I’ve been waiting for 3 mths. About ready to toss it in the trash. I’ve tried everything as well. Adding Acro Power and Coral Color to the regime. Nothing is working so far. I’m gonna give it until Christmas. If no growth then it’s gone.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Interesting thread. I wave a Walt Disney Jr that was doing great in my 40g tank, moved it to my 120g with more stable parameters and it’s been going down hill. I cut it because the tips were bleaching out and moved it from the front of the tank to the side next to my Mojo Man where my Gyros may have been blasting it with too much flow. I’ve been waiting for 3 mths. About ready to toss it in the trash. I’ve tried everything as well. Adding Acro Power and Coral Color to the regime. Nothing is working so far. I’m gonna give it until Christmas. If no growth then it’s gone.

Send it this way! Lol. But I understand how frustrating it can be to have a piece that just sits and doesn’t grow. I agree this is an interesting topic since so many people experience it but they all tend to have different outcomes.

 

[Daddy-o]

Interesting thread. I wave a Walt Disney Jr that was doing great in my 40g tank, moved it to my 120g with more stable parameters and it’s been going down hill. I cut it because the tips were bleaching out and moved it from the front of the tank to the side next to my Mojo Man where my Gyros may have been blasting it with too much flow. I’ve been waiting for 3 mths. About ready to toss it in the trash. I’ve tried everything as well. Adding Acro Power and Coral Color to the regime. Nothing is working so far. I’m gonna give it until Christmas. If no growth then it’s gone.

Couldnt be any worse than my WD looked a couple weeks ago

 

[ReefRondo]

I have some tips I have cut off that have grown really well and similarly the base left after removing the tip grow well. However I have also seen bases after tip removal sit for over 12 months with zero growth. Also some tips that have done nothing. Seems species specific to me in my tank.

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Couldnt be any worse than my WD looked a couple weeks ago

Has it improved since then?

I have some tips I have cut off that have grown really well and similarly the base left after removing the tip grow well. However I have also seen bases after tip removal sit for over 12 months with zero growth. Also some tips that have done nothing. Seems species specific to me in my tank.

I think that’s what makes this such an interesting conversation. What works and what doesn’t seems to be almost tank and coral specific.

 

[Daddy-o]

Has it improved since then?

Yes, it is coloring back up, getting new growth, and getting some polyp extension

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Yes, it is coloring back up, getting new growth, and getting some polyp extension

That’s great to hear, congrats!