SPS Not Growing Up

[CaliforniaCrisp]

I am not really an SPS guy, but I do occasionally come across some that catch my eye.

Of the SPS I have had for 7-8 months, none of them have grown any taller. They have no problem encrusting their plugs and onto other rock. But all my acro's look like monties that have 1-2 short sticks sticking out.

Am I just being impatient? I am pretty sure my permeters are on spot. I test weekly and dose too. Any thoughts why they don't get any taller?

 

[sutton6989]

What kind of lights are you running...

Some of my sps are slow growers

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[CaliforniaCrisp]

I've got RapidLEDs. They are just in a 29g cube. I just find it weird they encrust an entire plug in under a month, yet in 8 months they are still 1.5" twigs.

 

[Secret Asian Man]

Sometimes they can be slow. Since urs are encrusting, give it time. Unless you are losing color that would be another story.

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[Jimbo]

What kind of flow are you using ? Very high flow may cause what you describe.

 

[CaliforniaCrisp]

What kind of flow are you using ? Very high flow may cause what you describe.

That is good to know. I kind of have a lot going on with flow. I didn't even think of that.

 

[TRex91]

But in 8 months? Subs to me like something is weird... They should have at least grown some,, unless all you're species just happen to be slow growers... What are your parameters? Can you out a picture of the pieces and full tank shot? I mean if they are encrusting tho they should be healthy.. I don't know... ??

 

[jduck]

What are your par's? What's your water parameters?

 

[CaliforniaCrisp]

But in 8 months? Subs to me like something is weird... They should have at least grown some,, unless all you're species just happen to be slow growers... What are your parameters? Can you out a picture of the pieces and full tank shot? I mean if they are encrusting tho they should be healthy.. I don't know... ??

So I went and tested everything and took some pics.
Salinity - 1.026
Alk - 8.5
Mag - 1400
Cal - 420

I don't have many sps, the only ones I know names of are the Red Planet, and Pink Lemonade.

Attached are some pictures. Sorry for all the zoas in the way. It's kind of like where's Waldo. Haha. I have to use my phone so I can't zoom in on them.

 

[180galreef]

lower your flow a little

 

[bct15]

From looking at the zoas all around them, I'm guessing they need more light...move them higher up in your tank. When they do start to take off you will see some greater alk consumption.

 

[CaliforniaCrisp]

From looking at the zoas all around them, I'm guessing they need more light...move them higher up in your tank. When they do start to take off you will see some greater alk consumption.

They are all at the top of my tank currently. When I turn up my lights by 5-10% they start to bleach out completely..


I did some arranging today and raised them a hair, and lowered the flow. Hope to see some improvement.

 

[jduck]

The zoa leads me to beleive you have dirtier tank water. What's nitrite/nitrate/phosphates? I've had some zoa in new tank for over a year and haven't been able to get them to grow at all, but sps/lps are doing fantastic

 

[-Logzor]

Everything in your tank looks healthy, give them some more time, once they encrust a bunch they will shoot up stalks like crazy. I've had some acros that take FOREVER to grow upwards.

Aside from some minors changes like experiments with different flow/increased lighting, I wouldn't do anything too drastic given how nice things look right now.

 

[IBEW41]

The zoa leads me to beleive you have dirtier tank water. What's nitrite/nitrate/phosphates? I've had some zoa in new tank for over a year and haven't been able to get them to grow at all, but sps/lps are doing fantastic

agree what are nitrates and po4

 

[CaliforniaCrisp]

agree what are nitrates and po4

My nitrates are 0 and I don't have anything to test phosphates.

I do run chemi-pure elite for my phosphates.

 

[db7080]

Red planet is a super fast grower in my tank compared to other acros. Something's not right. Curious to see if the flow fixes the problem.

 

[IBEW41]

you have hair algae in 2 pic so po4 might be high also might be lighting as mentioned before.after 8 months the plugs should be totally covered

 

[CaliforniaCrisp]

you have hair algae in 2 pic so po4 might be high also might be lighting as mentioned before.after 8 months the plugs should be totally covered

I don't think that is hair algae you are seeing. It is a solid algae that if I poke, it will snap.

I am going to take my water in to have the phosphates tested.

My lights are on 9 hours. 12pm-9pm. If that means anything.

Thanks all for the suggestions.

 

[evolved]

Many acros will encrust and lay down a base before they start to branch. Red Planet and Pink Lemonade are both known for such.

I may be the miniority opinion here, but I don't think anything is wrong; coloration and polyp extension look are good. They just need time.