coral growth
 

Is there a trick or supplement that people use to promote coral growth?
I has a few zoos and a colt I was hoping would start expanding or at least increase in size but so far neither has done much.

My light is good, a 150w hqi 14000k halide with 40w of 50/50 pc supplement.
Any tips?

Would need more info?...........how bigs the tank?,how long has it been setup?,whats your water paramaters?ect.

reply
 

Yes, Ca, Alk & MG levels as well as salinty, Ph and water flow, then we can help you out. But realistically, watching corals grow can be like waiting for the kettle to boil. If you are patient, you'll see the growth in time.

I wasnt looking for specific info for my tank, mostly looking for any tips, like feeding certain foods.
But if coral grows slow then it grows slow.
I have heard people talk about some types of zoos growing like weeds, just thought there might be a trick

Some do, some don't. The general rule of thumb is, the prettier the zoo or the more coveted, the slower it's going to grow. :lol: You think I'm kidding, don't you. :razz:

In general, Calcium and alkalinity are used by most reef building corals. You hear Ca and alk referred to in terms of stoney corals and clams, but to a degree all things use these to some extent. However with water changes, you can easily maintain things without having to fuss about the numbers so much (it's when you get into SPS and clams that you indeed you probably should start paying more attention to those parameters).

Heres just a personal thing,zoa's seem to grow fast for me and i dont have perfect water! no skimming,just once a week 10% waterchanges and do move them around.I get new polyps per week on some of the (harder) ones!

zoos dont like being moved, leave them be in one spot and they will grow better. also, keep your calcium levals i little higher than normal. mine grow like crazy and i dont even have the lights you do!

this is not entirely true....

if your zoos are on a nice chunk of rock with room to spread on that rock... you can move them where you'd like. it's only once the zoos start spreading off the rock when it becomes a problem obviously. zoos are hardy and indestructable IME , they can be placed nearly anywhere you please... ideal spots would be a moderate flow and as much light as possible to bring colours out and promote growth.

ive found that pretty much anytime i have moved any of my zoos they stop growing for a few weeks until they get settle back in and feel compfortable.

I use Iodine Supplements from Kent Marine, Keep the calcium levels high, and dose Tech-I every 2 weeks, Coral-Vite every week and Coral-Accel every day. I've noticed my Zoo's do very well and my colt has quadroupled in size every 6 months or so. I've been very happy with this product and it has helped my corals grow. For feeding I make a batch of blended mysis, a color enhancing flake and cyclopleeze for the fish, but a lot gets to the corals as well.