Two SPS Questions for the Experts

[NCreefguy]

I'm running G4's as well and I've noticed that my SPS were browning until I raised both white channels up a bit. I experimented with raising the red/green channels to get the kelvin a little closer to 14k, I used to run 14k metal halides and had good luck in that range,but didn't really like the look with the radions in that range.
Right now my red/green channels are still at 24% but I've got the whites at 45% and everything has been doing much better.

 

[ksfulk]

In previous tanks, I would get spindly growth from acros if they were in the middle of my frag racks and not recieving the full brunt of my powerheads. The frags at the ends of the racks (with the powerheads pointed directly at them) would encrust like mad before I got any upward growth. I would rotate them around every few weeks to get the correct growth form. I would bank on flow first.

Are the acros all showing the upward growth instead of crusting, or is it located in a single place or certain type?

 

[Donovan Joannes]

One of my sps doesn't build base but branches. No encrusting at all. I have another 2 doing the same.

 

[Current107]

SPS growth patterns usually come from flow patterns within the tank. If they grow to the right or to the left, this is due to the direction of flow. If you are getting decent growth that is a great starting point. I wouldn't do many (if any) changes to the intensity of the lights. Keep up with stable/quality water, flow patterns and duration of lighting schedule.

 

[DHill6]

Also running G4 pro, curious, 45% on the overall intensity which isn't 45% on your program points, it's less. Or just ramping the white to 45%?

 

[NCreefguy]

Also running G4 pro, curious, 45% on the overall intensity which isn't 45% on your program points, it's less. Or just ramping the white to 45%?

I've got my overall intensity on 100% but my whites are sitting at 45% on the advanced slider.

 

[d2mini]

My tank has been a bit out of whack recently with my Triton Refugium and algae issues but I was getting some nice growth with the standard AB+ program and a little bit more white added in the evenings so I could better see some of the colors.
http://reef2reef.com/threads/2-months-under-g4-pros.278368/
Color has been great too, no issues there. Almost every frag from all kinds of different lighting have held their color in my tank, or came in needing some love and eventually recovered and now look really good.
Growth has varied but I try not to worry about that much.
It was just the encrusting issue that has been baffling me.

Got the new MP40 hooked up last night though, so maybe that will make a difference. :)

 

[reefwiser]

"Browning out" is caused by the zooxanthellae increasing in the skin of the coral to the point they become the color of the coral. Zooxanthellae natural color is brown. Many feel that the increase of zooxanthellae is due to corals not getting intense enough light.
As far as encrusting of corals I have always found the more intense the flow the faster the coral encrust's or grown's I have a green slimer and purple pocillopora coral on the same level and they are both getting a real strong flow of water. When I first put them on that spot the green slimer would rock back and forth all day. But not it has sent out 4 new arms to stabilize it now and the pocillopora is creating new arm buds every few days. But then on a shelf on the other side I have a Walt Disney acro and it is just encrusting at the base but it is slow grower. Intense light has always worked for me so I went back to 20K MH and reefbrites and everything got easier with my SPS.

 

[LBA]

I would imagine heavier flow has a lot to do with your Acros encrusting before growing taller.

Much like a new plant in the ground vs. the wind. If you get windy weather, it's going to use it's resources to build more roots and a thicker stalk for stability before taking off.

 

[revhtree]

Also following!

 

[tj w]

Great thread!

 

[zachxlutz]

I agree, this is a great thread. Regarding encrusting vs. outward growth, the consensus seems to indicate that higher flow rates in the tank will encourage proper encrusting to form a strong base and then the outward growth will occur. Aside from anecdotal accounts are there any studies showing this to be true?

 

[Zero Nitrates]

I've got two different acros right next to each other that I put in the tank at the same time. One is encrusting and the other isn't. :(

 

[Macdaddynick1]

IME, I am not familiar with the flow aspect but, what I've noticed, was 3 things, that affect the encrusting v.s growth 1) some acropora species do not encrust as much as the others, i.e red dragon does not encrust that much before growing, whereas strawberry lemonade or a robusta will encrust and encrust before they grow any branches. 2) with Led's if the frag is glued sideways, i.e bottom of the frag is shaded or does not receive much light, the coral will not encrust too much. 3) for the most part smaller frags will encrust more than the larger frags of the same coral or a mini colony. Just my observation

 

[Donovan Joannes]

I've got two different acros right next to each other that I put in the tank at the same time. One is encrusting and the other isn't. :(

Exactly. I am experiencing the same with some of my acro. Nothing to do with flow and lights, some really don't encrust that much.

 

[Triggerjay]

Tagging. I've only experienced the no encrusting with LED. MH would always encrust first?

I have to disagree. This is under LED..

 

[Donovan Joannes]

I have to disagree. This is under LED..

I am with you :D. Out of over 50 different SPS in my tank, only 3 doesn't have encrusting base. The rest encrusted first before growing upwards. And I do run LED only tank.

 

[jasonw]

Following !

 

[Luis Figueroa]

I was just thinking about this very same topic!!! Hahaha
This first acro is about a quarter of the way up off the bottom. When I fist had it on the frag rack it was at around half way up and under a power head...the body was darker like the under side in this picture but now it's a mix. I also have a terra del fuego at the very top, it's encrusting and has polyp extension but dark coloration as opposed to how others look like on the Web.

 

[BCSreef]

I am with you :D. Out of over 50 different SPS in my tank, only 3 doesn't have encrusting base. The rest encrusted first before growing upwards. And I do run LED only tank.

Same here. I have been all LED for a few years. Most Acros encrust well, then grow. A few just don't encrust. Even after a few years. I do have strong flow from 2 Gyre 150s along with the return lines. Tank is a 180G, 7s" X 24" X 24".