Growth rate?

[Silverdot1211]

So I just bought my first acro about a month ago (end of January) it seems to be doing well but the only growth appears to be the "skirt" or the base. I know this is a loaded question with a ton of variables but I'm just looking for a general idea..... how long before these guys go vertical? The first picture is from today The second is from Feb 8. Also, don't know if this matters but I was told this was a mint chip acro. In addition I know its only been a month but I am extremely impatient I have no idea why I like reefing....lol

 

[Silverdot1211]

The first 2 pictures are from today...

 

[MickeyR]

I'm impatient as well. Once I started dosing red sea ab+ and kept up with my cal and alk on a doser seems to be growing faster. Unfortunately all my favorite ones grow the slowest. I have notice when they take off and start branching they really start taking off, good luck!

 

[Jeff Jarry reef]

Most acros will grow base first then once they get started they take off. My tank just turned 3 years old.

 

[Silverdot1211]

@MickeyR yeah I started dosing All-for-reef for the simplicity and ease. Certainly not the cheapest but for me its bascially set it and forget it. My clam and other SPS were going through my calcium like crazy and water changes were becoming long and annoying.

@Jeff Jarry reef that is a gorgeous tank! ...And that's what I am hoping for I just don't want to wait lol

 

[Jeff Jarry reef]

@MickeyR yeah I started dosing All-for-reef for the simplicity and ease. Certainly not the cheapest but for me its bascially set it and forget it. My clam and other SPS were going through my calcium like crazy and water changes were becoming long and annoying.

@Jeff Jarry reef that is a gorgeous tank! ...And that's what I am hoping for I just don't want to wait lol

Lol it's hard to wait but it will happen keep water steady and all will fall into place. And do water changes about every 4-5 months even longer sometimes

 

[MickeyR]

@Silverdot1211 , how do you like All for reef, was thinking to switch from b-ionic did you ever dose other stuff before and how does that compare?

 

[Ancient Mariner]

My reef is 3 years old and overall I’ve had good SPS growth for the past year. But how my Acroporas grow have been very variable. Some took off and branched very quickly, some then shut down after a few weeks or months, and some just sit there seemingly in slow encrusting mode. I’m not sure I can predict when they’ll start their branching mode, if ever! Certainly my tank parameter aren’t perfect (0 nitrates and phosphates, significant temp swings, alkalinity variability) and that may play a role, but all other SPS species are growing like crazy.

 

[X-37B]

Patience is the name of the game in reefing.
Some corals just grow slower than others.
Keep your desired parameters stable is my best advice.
Also get a 1 year 2 year thought of what you want your system to look like. Once its grown in keeping it trimmed to prevent coral warfare is an ongoing issue.
Pic of my 2.5+ year 120.

 

[ScottB]

Small pieces may encrust for quite a while. Any growth is a positive

Visually detecting growth is tricky. 10% growth on a tiny piece is imperceptible. 10% growth on 4" branch would VISUALLY be the size of your current frag doing a 100% growth. The rate is the same but the perception is very different.

 

[TylerR]

Most acros will grow base first then once they get started they take off. My tank just turned 3 years old.

dang! What lighting are you using?

 

[Jeff Jarry reef]

dang! What lighting are you using?

T5 4 bulb blue plus and 2 gen5 XR30 blues

 

[Labridaedicted]

Totally normal. Acroporas will almost always encrust before branching. They need a solid base to support the weight so you'll see it encrusted and then see new branches popping up. My experience is that entrusting can be slow, but once branches start popping up they grow quick.

Hard to give a timeline, tough as every system can vary enormously in this regard.

 

[Silverdot1211]

Small pieces may encrust for quite a while. Any growth is a positive

Visually detecting growth is tricky. 10% growth on a tiny piece is imperceptible. 10% growth on 4" branch would VISUALLY be the size of your current frag doing a 100% growth. The rate is the same but the perception is very different.

Total understand and that's why I take pictures.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Ancient mariner that is a beautiful tank full of so much sps that’s not acropora, why not more birdsnest? I love the low nutrient neon look well done.
You 90s reefer you have some nice tanks!

 

[sculpin01]

Your frag appears to be an Acropora sarmentosa. They will base out for quite a while prior to putting up branches. If you want immediate growth, consider a Montipora digitata or similar. Growth will be very rapid.