Acan question-Pic

[rydr119]

I have this acan I don't think its an Aussie or anything, anyway I have had it for about 2 years and it doesn't seem to have grown much. Its on my sand bed right now but I used to keep it up in the rockwork. Maybe about 6 months ago I moved it down. It is always open during the day and always has its feeders out at night. How can I tell if it has grown? How fast do these corals usually grow? Any advice to make it happier? thanks Gina

Most recent

In the rockwork

About 1 year ago

 

[jadeguppy]

You can count the polyps to check growth or use a ruler. I suggest feeding it if you want to speed growth up.

 

[ianiwane]

Well they typically need something to encrust down on to to actually create new polyps. If you want them to grow you need to either create a ramp with epoxie or put the colony down on a really flat rock.

 

[rydr119]

I will get a flat rock for them then. Should I spot feed cyclopeze? or is there something better?

 

[PJD]

I use mysis, cyclopeze, reef chili mixed w/saltwater and feed w/a plastic cyringe at least every other day. I have also had good success/growth attaching acan/micro frags inside small crevises of live rock. IMO, they will do better/become bigger in a lil dirtier water, kinda like zoas

 

[LPS_Blasto]

I squirt Marine Cuisine on my acans. They are growing like weeds.

Keep your alkalinity, calcium, magnesium and pH in line. All corals will grow faster when you keep the water parameters tip top. Not saying you aren't doing this. Just tossing it out there for people who may not realize how crucial it is to good growth.

I keep my dKH at about 10.5. pH at 8.4 Calcium at 420 and magnesium around 1250-1300 always.

Really though, just feed them.

I see in your signature line that you are using 20K lights.

10k lights aren't as pretty to your eyes, but they are brighter and will produce more growth.

I've got enough lights on most of my tanks to burn most SPS (according to most so-called expurts), and I actually have no SPS. My acans, mushrooms, zoas and polyps sure seam to love it. :lol:

 

[rydr119]

Yeah I have burned some SPS a few times. lol Its funny though I have some mushrooms up at the top of my tank that seem to love the intense light. I hate using turkey basters so the syringe idea is great I am gonna do that.
Thanks for all the advice.
-Gina

 

[juniormc8704]

acans are kinda sweet in this regard in my opinion. If you keep them on a solitary rock, they really wont grow much.

Now if you want them to spread, youll need to have a larger rock, with a some what smooth transition for them to grow onto.

Otherwise you will end up with a softball of acans...

check the underside, there is a good chance its loaded with babies.

I have a couple dozen that are like that now.