Acro enthusiasts - Do Acropora Granulosa encrust before it start's branching?

[Stuartmercer]

Hey everyone, I placed an order of corals on Saturday as I'm starting to repopulate my tank with sps! One of which is an Acropora granulosa, my question is, do they encrust first before branching? Or what is their growing behaviour typically?

 

[mwil79]

In my experience most acros need to cover the base of the frag or whatever they are attached to in order for them to support the upward growth. I'm a mixed reef guy though just starting to dabble a bit with SPS so I'm sure there are plenty more here with way more knowledge than me who can either confirm or deny or call me an idiot lol

 

[fishface NJ]

encrust first

 

[Stuartmercer]

In my experience most acros need to cover the base of the frag or whatever they are attached to in order for them to support the upward growth. I'm a mixed reef guy though just starting to dabble a bit with SPS so I'm sure there are plenty more here with way more knowledge than me who can either confirm or deny or call me an idiot lol

Yeah that makes sense, thank you!

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

Encrust first, slow to medium growth as far as acros go.

 

[DMG Reef]

Granulosa's definitely encrust a lot before growing new branches in my experience. Here's one-year growth pics of my granny:

Frag - 01/07/20

01/01/21

I took it off the plug and glued to the rock so I guess it's wanting to cover the whole rock before doing anything else.

 

[Big E]

I started this one as a 1/4" nub............getting ready to move it as it's finally encrusting the whole 1" plug . I think results will vary depending on flow.

 

[Big E]

This one did the same.............it grew up and out while slowly encrusting. the plug was 1.25"

Best tips for getting new branching is to mount the frag on the side edge of the rock horizontal to the light or on a slight downward angle.

If it's on the main rockwork mount it completely flat and cut it off the plug. You get more area of the coral getting light this way so it will likely branch out faster.

All frags should be sold mounted flat.........the vendors and most reefers do it wrong. Of course if you're selling/buying micro frags you have no choice

 

[Big E]

Here's another example--- I never paid much attention before this thread but I'd have to say the encrusting myth is busted!

Rcky Mtn Red Gecko