Painfully slow acro growth

[Labridaedicted]

Sometimes you just gotta bear with them. Acros vary wildly in growth rates based on a number of factors from flow, light, nutrients, species, morph, and a hundred more factors I'm forgetting. I run crazy high flow in my tank, so mine encrusted like mad until they are anchored well enough to take off.

Once they hit that sweet spot, believe me; They'll take off.

 

[Dburr1014]

Some acros like "Walt Disney" are super slow growers. As in years for meaningful growth, in most cases. Eventually they get big all on their own. If you are looking to grow them out quickly to sell frags, then a specialized frag tank with proper lighting, flow, and dosing equipment can make them grow a little faster.

Also, for established (6 months or more and encrusting), stubborn frags, nipping the tips (1/4") off will usually stimulate growth. I don't suggest cutting new frags though. The Disney on the left is 2 years old, the acro on the right is one year old.

I found the opposite.
I think every system is different and that differance depicts how each individual acro will do.

One year growth on my disney.
March 22/ March 23

 

[Perry]

Try the RRC Jawdropper, it's a load of fun. It's grown 1mm in a year, if that. Like it's blue cousin, BC Set For Stun, which has grown the same, in nearly 2 years. Yeah, some just mess with you.. The joys of acros

 

[bakbay]

Patience Grasshopper... I purchased my TGC Redwing as an encrusted "cookie" There was no vertical branches yet, just the top of the frag plug completely encrusted. It stayed that way with great color and PE but zero growth for three years. I had pretty much decided it wasn't ever going to do much, then suddenly it started branching and growing like crazy. It's now one of my faster growing pieces.

Noice! I have a PC Rainbow that became a good size colony and I’ve even fragged it for a friend. The PC Superman encrusted for a year now and finally seeing some tiny nubs! No wonder why some of these are expensive - takes an eternity! lol

 

[bakbay]

I was shocked how low the par was with my radions at 70% intensity when I par measured. Both lights now run 100% with significant coral growth.

Hmm - will borrow/buy a par meter soon - good to know!

 

[bakbay]

ok maybe i was checking an older build thread in your signature? I saw an xr30 with 2 small bars

Oh got it. That’s my second tank - 2 XR15 G5 Pro with ReefBrites. Mounting is easy with brackets. My main tank got 2 x XR30 G6 Blues.

 

[bakbay]

Perhaps I’m going thru a stagnant state due to low pH? I noticed that my Green Slimer (normally a fast grower) is taking a vacation and chilling out, not sprouting new growth.

My ceiling pH was 8.09 and now 8.18 is the floor after replacing the CO2 scrubber media last night. Will see how things go though. Also, I’ve been slowly cranking up Alk from 8.5ish to 9ish. It won’t affect the stubborn slow growers but should help the rest….

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Perhaps I’m going thru a stagnant state due to low pH? I noticed that my Green Slimer (normally a fast grower) is taking a vacation and chilling out, not sprouting new growth.

My ceiling pH was 8.09 and now 8.18 is the floor after replacing the CO2 scrubber media last night. Will see how things go though. Also, I’ve been slowly cranking up Alk from 8.5ish to 9ish. It won’t affect the stubborn slow growers but should help the rest….

What do you dose for alkalinity, calcium and magnesium, And how much daily?

 

[bakbay]

What do you dose for alkalinity, calcium and magnesium, And how much daily?

I don't "dose" -- it's done via the GEO calcium reactor

 

[pandaparties]

Perhaps I’m going thru a stagnant state due to low pH? I noticed that my Green Slimer (normally a fast grower) is taking a vacation and chilling out, not sprouting new growth.

My ceiling pH was 8.09 and now 8.18 is the floor after replacing the CO2 scrubber media last night. Will see how things go though. Also, I’ve been slowly cranking up Alk from 8.5ish to 9ish. It won’t affect the stubborn slow growers but should help the rest….

I think some just need time. I have 8.4 pH 8.5 alk, 400+ par everywhere and I've had some grow 3 inches in a month and I've had others that have not moved in close to a year despite being close in proximity

 

[bakbay]

I think some just need time. I had 8.4 pH 8.5 alk, 400+ par everywhere and I've had some grow 3 inches in a month and I've had others that have not moved in close to a year despite being close in proximity

Curious - 8.4 pH all the time or peak? Assume you use soda ash + kalk for your massive tank? Otherwise, you'll be going thru pounds of CO2 scrubber media...

 

[bakbay]

Patience Grasshopper... I purchased my TGC Redwing as an encrusted "cookie" There was no vertical branches yet, just the top of the frag plug completely encrusted. It stayed that way with great color and PE but zero growth for three years. I had pretty much decided it wasn't ever going to do much, then suddenly it started branching and growing like crazy. It's now one of my faster growing pieces.

Also, that's one very nice acro - amazing shot! I don't think that I have patience after 2 years, let alone 3 years!!! You got dedication, sir! I would have tossed that frag and moved on...lol

 

[pandaparties]

Curious - 8.4 pH all the time or peak? Assume you use soda ash + kalk for your massive tank? Otherwise, you'll be going thru pounds of CO2 scrubber media...

My lower end is 8.3 and I peak about 8.45. my average is pretty close to 8.4 and I don't use any pH boosting or scrubbing! I dose baking soda for all specifically so I don't boost my pH any higher than it already is