Super growth period

[thaveteran]

Every so often one of my tanks experiences a period of rapid growth. I’m not sure what triggers it or even how to sustain it. Does anyone have any insight?

 

[Macdaddynick1]

Every so often one of my tanks experiences a period of rapid growth. I’m not sure what triggers it or even how to sustain it. Does anyone have any insight?

I get those too. Judging from the fact that all of the different species of Corals grow simultaneously during those periods, I presume it’s has something to do with the parameters.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

This happened to me last month as well. The alk consumption goes crazy and you get stuck trying to chase it as it fizzles back down

 

[Macdaddynick1]

This happened to me last month as well. The alk consumption goes crazy and you get stuck trying to chase it as it fizzles back down

For me it mostly corresponds with higher ph . The reason my ph goes up, is that it’s no longer hot and my windows and doors are now wide open almost 24/7. So mainly I get these growth spurs during the changes in weather.

 

[Phelipe's Ocean]

How far apart are the pictures?

 

[thaveteran]

This happened to me last month as well. The alk consumption goes crazy and you get stuck trying to chase it as it fizzles back down

I think that's what contributed to my slow down the last time I hit the super growth period. My alk fell to 6.8 and my growth slowed until I could balance things back out.

For me it mostly corresponds with higher ph . The reason my ph goes up, is that it’s no longer hot and my windows and doors are now wide open almost 24/7. So mainly I get these growth spurs during the changes in weather.

I've noticed my tank grows better when it starts hitting the fall period. I don't open the windows however so I never contributed it to PH.

How far apart are the pictures?

Those aren't progression pics, those were just pics for attention. All those pics were taken last night.

 

[29bonsaireef]

How would you define "rapid"? A healthy aquarium should always have decently fast/steady growth, IMO. If you're hitting spurts of growth, then stalling..there is an inconsistency in parameters. I've found dosing kalkwasser really helps when SPS hit their stride. JME

 

[thaveteran]

How would you define "rapid"? A healthy aquarium should always have decently fast/steady growth, IMO. If you're hitting spurts of growth, then stalling..there is an inconsistency in parameters. I've found dosing kalkwasser really helps when SPS hit their stride. JME

I used to dose kalkwasser in my ato but I had to give that up because it couldn’t keep up. I needed something more controllable. I now use a doser for 2 part but I’m not talking about regular growth. I’m talking about growth so rapid it’s like you notice the growth overnight. I haven’t taken any progression pics for reference but I might start soon.

 

[29bonsaireef]

Looks like most of your corals are at that stage where growth will come steady and quick. Once corals get to colony/mini colony size they typically don't slow down from there. The Kalkwasser will do the same work sided with the 2-part. It works very well in ATO when corals are growing fast.

Have you been adjusting your 2-part as things grow?

 

[thaveteran]

Looks like most of your corals are at that stage where growth will come steady and quick. Once corals get to colony/mini colony size they typically don't slow down from there. The Kalkwasser will do the same work sided with the 2-part. It works very well in ATO when corals are growing fast.

Have you been adjusting your 2-part as things grow?

I've got 1" frags that sprout really quickly in these periods. I currently have kalkwasser in my ato but it doesn't the do the job alone. The problem with it in the ato is eventually the rate of evaporation isn't fast enough to keep of with the coral consumption. I always suggest kalkwasser to begin with though. If things are dialed in correctly there's definitely a period where even small frags encrust and sprout growth tips insanely fast.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Agreed. I think he's saying you should keep using kalk and then make up the difference with 2 part

 

[thaveteran]

Agreed. I think he's saying you should keep using kalk and then make up the difference with 2 part

That's exactly what I do. I misstated my process. My ato has brightwell kalk+2 and then I dose calc, alk and mag. Maybe I'll have to just show progression pics in a couple months.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

That's exactly what I do. I misstated my process. My ato has brightwell kalk+2 and then I dose calc, alk and mag. Maybe I'll have to just show progression pics in a couple months.

roger that. I do the same.