Define ... "good", "rapid" or "moderate" growth

[eskymick]

We've all read of SPS corals being described as "fast growing". And we've read about aquarists experiening "good growth" rates in their reef tanks. But, as much as I've read about these things, I've never actually seen those terms defined specifically.

Granted, everyone's setup and paramaters are a bit different, but it'd be interesting to read of the specific growth rates that aquarists are experiencing .. in REAL terms (i.e. the numbers ... Are they getting growth of an inch per month? A half inch per week?, etc).

For those experiencing "good", "rapid", "fast", or even "moderate" growth rates on your SPS colonies, please share the numbers with us all. For those of us who are fairly new to this, this information can offer some goals and positive expectations.

Please be as specific as you can be in describing both the species and the growth rates experienced.

[RichConley]

When sps growth is rapid, you can see change between morning and night.

[MiddletonMark]

Well, my most rapid-growing [long-term] Acropora is my green slimer.

In 3 years it went from a 2" frag to a 17" tall colony [14" circumference].

That would mean about 5" per year over a multi-year period.
[just under 1/2" per month over a 36 month period]

Over shorter periods I've had faster growth [and the 2" frag didn't grow 5" in the first year ...] - but long-term from frag, that's one of mine. IMO the first 6 months has far less growth - and the last 6 months have easily been 1/2"+ monthly [more at times, less at times].

I'm sure my digitatas have grown almost twice as fast - I just couldn't keep them for 3 years without breaking [to measure] :)

I've heard others report much faster growth - but I dunno how many measure from frag, or over a long period [with tank ups/downs involved].

JMO/JME.

[twon8]

my calipers arent' salt water resistant so i don't have numbers, but i'd say the fastest growing for me are the thin branched mille's, stag-types, and birdsnests'

ive gone from small frag to large colony in a year.

[twon8]

1/26/06
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y78/twon8/Corals/P1261256.jpg

2/26/06
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y78/twon8/Corals/pinkmillegrowth.jpg

6/26/06
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y78/twon8/Corals/pinkmillegrowthshotjune.jpg

and today
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y78/twon8/acros/P2123608.jpg

[REEF-DADDY]

uh is there an insane box to check?

[eskymick]

Great input so far. The pics really give meaning to the words.
And, <b>twon8</b>, I guess the word "INSANE" is the right description for the growth of your millie !!

[eskymick]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9222630#post9222630 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by twon8
ive gone from small frag to large colony in a year.

Maybe you can share your methods with us. With growth like that you should write a book about it ! :-)

[RichConley]

I wouldnt say its insane. Thats how they SHOULD grow... IE if yours aren't growing like that, something is wrong.

THat being said, mine certainly aren't growing like that, although a couple of friends have tanks that have growth like that. Its really depressing when you give a friend a frag, and in 6 months, his colony is bigger than yours.

[eskymick]

I'm having a hard time with growth, too ... I anxiously await twon8's methods.

[twon8]

i top off with kalk using a litermeter 3, which mostly makes up for the tank demand; but i also use homemade two part, a couple of times a week. i try to keep the alkalinity around 3, but im usually on the low side.

ive got a lot of flow, which i think is the biggest factor in growth.

that frag had been in my tank for a few months then last jan. i added a stream 6100 and a few months later added a modded maxijet, and i have a nanostream 6025 till i get my hands on some of the larger ones.

[eskymick]

Thanks, twon8 ... I really like your aquascaping, too.

What do you use for lighting?

[johnanddawn]

millis do grow here is mine about the same results as twon:
may 06
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e86/johnanddawn/may28SPSrock.jpg
sep 06
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e86/johnanddawn/125sep25milli2.jpg
feb 07
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e86/johnanddawn/pinkmillifeb07.jpg

[johnanddawn]

granulosas on the other hand:

june 06
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e86/johnanddawn/fishjune12bl2.jpg

sep 06
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e86/johnanddawn/125sep25pt.jpg

jan 07
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e86/johnanddawn/grandjan.jpg

[johnanddawn]

and then you have the digis:

apr/june 05
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e86/johnanddawn/figijune12od1.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e86/johnanddawn/april1004.jpg

sep 06
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e86/johnanddawn/125sep25sps2.jpg

feb 07
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e86/johnanddawn/feb5digis2.jpg

[eskymick]

Great looking digis !! Nice growth rate, too.

Don't be shy guys (and gals) ... her'es your chance to show and tell .. and brag a little, too.

[Madhouse]

damn you guys get some fast growth...