Coral Growth rate?

[theroon]

I am shopping around online for Corals and see many frags for sale. I am planning to set up an 180g tank and I know the frags will look miniscule compared to the size of the tank.

What is the growth rate for soft and hard corals? 6 months, 12 months. Example would be Montipora, Acropora, etc... I guess I am trying to figure out if it worth saving money to purchase frags (2ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚) or purchase large size corals (7ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚).

 

[integlikewhoa]

They never grow fast enough. And when i stair at them every day i swear they dont grow at all.

 

[reefwick]

It all depends on your lighting, parameters, feedings alot of things. Don't you want to see the tank grow in rather than have it done right away. IMO you would get more enjoyment knowing your keeping a stable enviornment from the growth of your corals. But... to try and answer your question soft corals definitely grow faster than hard but you can't really put a 1'' per 6 month rate on it ya know.

 

[21Reefman]

Soft corals grow extremely fast. An acropora frag should be 5-7" in 1.5years if your system has the light/water quality.

 

[Mariner]

Definitely depends on the type coral, tank parameters, etc.
And count me among those who would rather watch the corals grow, than buy them full sized. Many acros and montis can grow a few inches per year under good conditions. Softies grow/multiply even more typically. Most LPS do not grow as fast, IME.
But to give you and idea, I've found Montipora to be very fast growing
For example from this

to this in about 18 months

Do a google image search on "coral growth" and see what you see.
Mariner