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Group: Forum Members
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| Hi, relatively new to this forum, I read a lot on here but don't ask questions often, so forgive me if this is in the wrong place. I have had a Acropora Granulosa for a little over a month which is doing well and growing slowly, more so on one side than the other which seems odd to me. Anyway to my question, which varieties of Acropora are "easier" to grow in a reef tank, and which have the fastest growth rates? I know there are a ton of varieties of Acropora but if someone could give me an idea on which ones grow relatively fast and are relatively easy I would appreciate it. I have a ton of flow, metal halide lighting, AquaC Remora pro protein skimmer. I am not a complete idiot when it comes to this stuff so trust me that my water parameters, lighting and flow are sufficient. Thanks.
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Group: Forum Members
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| Sorry I forgot to mention that I would prefer if someone (anyone) could give me some specific names. What I mean is something like Tortuosa, Granulosa, Yongei. Thanks.
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/4/2009 7:08:25 PM
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| Its really not so much about species as it is stable water quality (mineral levels) and adequate water flow and nitrogen sources (growth). Use a calcium reactor and keep extremely stable chemistry (ALK around 12 dKH, Calcium under 450ppm... Mag in the 1200-1300ppm range)... have water flow in the 60X turnover ballpark... and do consider a heavy fish load for food supplementing. Lighting with 6500K Iwasakis will also hedge your bets for growth with many popular Acro species.
. Anthony Calfo
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Group: Forum Members
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| Thanks Anthony. Wow 60x turnover rate, that's a lot, right now I'm at about 40x. My alk could be a little higher and my calcium could be a little lower. I will work on these things and see how it turns out.
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Group: Moderators
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| My alk could be a little higher and my calcium could be a little lower. this is very common with aquarists... especially if/when influenced by the bad advice from sps freaks preaching obscenely high Ca levels (for captivity). Proof is in the pudding though... high Alk and moderate Ca grows corals much faster for most folks by far. Its part of the big picture of having stable water chemistry (pH et cetera) as the means to growing corals faster... not just Ca without regard for balanced Alk, high pH, strong Mag and so on.
. Anthony Calfo
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| Anthony, have you seen or read about the results some Italians are getting with SPS growth lately? If so, what are your thoughts on the recipes they are using? From memory, it seems to be pretty much the same DIY coral/fish food that a lot of people are making these days with different seafood, but they are adding sugar and amino acids. There was even some talk about using Human Growth Hormones. Thay are claiming growth rates being double with these recipes. If these claims have any merit, do you think they have a place in coral farming? I definately wouldn't use the HGH, but the amino acids don't sound too far fetched and from their pictures, they are getting some crazy growth. I know most "quick" schemes in this business/hobby are bad news, but what do you think of it's viability in coral farming? Thanks
Todd
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I have seen many of the systems in person... they are beautiful, but mechanically nothing is different. They do simply feed more... and while much of the food is not directly consumed, the (degraded) organic load is high, and as such their systems often have more available nitrogen for coral growth (versus German tanks for example that are nitrogen limited largely... or at least had been for many years with aggressive nutrient export and/or limited nutrient import).
.Anthony Calfo
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Group: Forum Members
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The thing that struck me about the Italian tanks, "thread of the month" a few months ago on RC, was the chemistry of the water. Many seem to advocate boosting MG to 1500-1600 which then allows them to raise their alkalinity to like 14-15dkh and calcium to around 600.
Personally I see really good growth with the easily attained levels of 12dkh alk and 380 calcium.
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/4/2009 7:08:25 PM
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Personally I see really good growth with the easily attained levels of 12dkh alk and 380 calcium. I very much agree with you here... there is no question that your system does not care of it draws 20ppm of Ca per day off of 380ppm or 600ppm (dangerous) of Ca. You get far greater (stronger and faster) growth from stable water chemistry, noit ridiculously high numbers. More is not better in this case.
. Anthony Calfo
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