Common myths for growth

[scotty333]

So,

Here’s a few things that’s out there to maximise coral growth but which are true and which are false ?

High temperature ( 82)
High kh (12)
High flow (40x+)
High ph ( 8.3-8.4)
High nutrients ( .1 po4 , 10 no3 or higher)
Feeding phytoplankton or other coral foods

Let’s see if anyone has all the above

 

[Lionfish hunter]

what type of corals? I’m sure high ph and alk doesn’t do much for increased softy growth. But it is just about to the level of fact that those 2 can grow sps faster.

I doubt phyto does much for increased growth. And the higher nutrients depends on the circumstances.

 

[scotty333]

what type of corals? I’m sure high ph and alk doesn’t do much for increased softy growth. But it is just about to the level of fact that those 2 can grow sps faster.

Let’s say all corals because some say higher nutrients for softy’s and lower for sps

 

[Lionfish hunter]

I would say in order of likelihood from most to least likely would be -

Ph
Kh
Nutients

Then everything else with phyto last.

(For sps)

 

[scotty333]

I would say in order of likelihood from most to least likely would be -

Ph
Kh
Nutients

Then everything else with phyto last.

(For sps)

Ideal ranges being?

 

[Lionfish hunter]

Ideal ranges being?

I’m sure a ph of 8.5 and a dkh of 12 would grow sps like a bean stalk. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they are ideal for their health. I would imagine natural seawater would be better for health in all categories. I prefer low nutrients with a high in high out system. For example I feed heavy and export heavy with a skimmer, refugium, and carbon dosing. This keeps the nutrients closer to natural seawater level while also giving them plenty of fish poop and never 0 phosphate. Now would higher nutrients grow them faster? Maybe maybe not.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

High flow (40x+)

What sort of measurement is that?

 

[scotty333]

Volume

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Volume

You mean flow rate in tank volumes per h? I don’t think that’s a very useful measure of flow for a given coral.

 

[scotty333]

Yes correct

I saw a brs video about an experiment they did with varying flows but no different in growth

Just thought I’d add it to the list

 

[Pod_01]

This is a list I have followed and works well (not mine):

Always seems to work…

I am sure there are other recipes that work…

Good luck,

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I don't agree with most of that.... the temp is too high, the alk is too high, why 40x flow? I don't regularly feed phyto or coral food. What about lighting?

 

[scotty333]

I don't agree with most of that.... the temp is too high, the alk is too high, why 40x flow? I don't regularly feed phyto or coral food. What about lighting?

Yeah I should have added lighting but most don’t know their par so tried to keep it simple

It’s not for you to agree , that isn’t my tank it’s just an example of which you think contributes to faster growth

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Yes correct

I saw a brs video about an experiment they did with varying flows but no different in growth

Just thought I’d add it to the list

This article shows that flow does have an impact on coral growth

https://reefs.com/magazine/grow-with-the-flow/

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Flow impacts the growth in my tank. When I first had my toadstool, it didn't grow too much, but once I moved it to a better spot where it got better flow? It really started to take off in growth

 

[CHSUB]

Growth doesn’t equal better health. I would say every item listed has verified documented evidence to increase growth in stone corals. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean healthier, better corals.

 

[scotty333]

This article shows that flow does have an impact on coral growth

https://reefs.com/magazine/grow-with-the-flow/

Nice read

 

[Dburr1014]

So,

Here’s a few things that’s out there to maximise coral growth but which are true and which are false ?

High temperature ( 82)

False

High kh (12)

True

High flow (40x+)

False

High ph ( 8.3-8.4)

True

High nutrients ( .1 po4 , 10 no3 or higher)

False

Feeding phytoplankton or other coral foods

Hmmm, going with false

Let’s see if anyone has all the above

Nutrients and Foods only make sure that they are available and I don't believe it would spur any faster growth.

Hi alkalinity I believe would be true but a high pH... wasn't quite sure cuz that could mean higher alkalinity also which could spur more growth.

Flow, Eh, everyone should have flow but blasting them I don't think is going to help much more than low flow. As long as they get the food and the waste leaves the coral you should have growth.

When I read the term Coral I assume hard Coral.

 

[Lionfish hunter]

Nice read

I would say proper flow absolutely would be beneficial. But not necessarily more flow. Each coral is going to have an optimal flow range. Some very high, some low.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I truly believe that (live) Phyto is the building blocks of life... If it doesn’t directly feed your corals, it indirectly does by providing food for other organisms that in turn provide nutrients for your corals.