Acros spreading but not growing upright

[Riotjj21]

I have these two acro (garf bonsai and ATL Joleen) that I bought three months ago. They are growing and spreading along the frag plug but they are not growing coralites. Unfortunately I bought them that way. Any ideas on what to do to make they grow upright? Thanks

 

[Nick Steele]

They just need to feel more sturdy before the start growing upward.

 

[DxMarinefish]

Flow can also affect how acros grow.

 

[Riotjj21]

They just need to feel more sturdy before the start growing upward.

Not sure I know what that means. Can you elaborate? They are glued to rock.

 

[Nick Steele]

They will need to “base out” or otherwise spread onto the rock and feel more stable before growing upward.

Here’s an example of my pink caddy frag. Hasn’t grown upward at all but is covering the plug and will soon start covering rock making it more stable.

 

[2021 reefer]

Maybe try more flow? I'm pretty sure more flow helps make the corals grow upwards

 

[Oregon Grown Reef]

Not sure about the ATL piece, but the bonsai is notorious for basing out first. Some corals start out by spreading out and then exploding in vertical growth.

 

[ClearRain]

Maybe try more flow? I'm pretty sure more flow helps make the corals grow upwards

More flow makes the coral lay down more calcium so it stays in place in the current. More flow would make it encrust more before growing upwards. The branches will be thicker as well.

 

[2021 reefer]

More flow makes the coral lay down more calcium so it stays in place in the current. More flow would make it encrust more before growing upwards. The branches will be thicker as well.

Really? That was not my experience. As soon as I put more flow all my corals started to encrust less and grow up more

 

[IKD]

My garf is the same way, encrusting a lot before sending up shoots.

 

[ClearRain]

Really? That was not my experience. As soon as I put more flow all my corals started to encrust less and grow up more

Usually how it works. Corals in high flow tend to be thicker branched and stumpier. The ones in low flow tend to be thinner branched and more spindly.

 

[Riotjj21]

Usually how it works. Corals in high flow tend to be thicker branched and stumpier. The ones in low flow tend to be thinner branched and more spindly.

I look forward to the explosion!