Does SPS growth get turned on and off??

[whalloper]

Weird question...

as I continue to learn about corals as part of my reefkeeping experience, I am noticing my SPS go through growth spurts and times of dormancy. Is this normal or should healthy corals grow constantly?

For example, a pink mille wasnt doing anything for a few months, and now one branch decided to put out three or four white tips of new growth.

 

[BLKTANG]

Have you monitored your parameters while the growth was fast,& slow?

 

[snorvich]

They seem to be very sensitive to alkalinity. I test weekly.

 

[whalloper]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12444047#post12444047 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BLKTANG
Have you monitored your parameters while the growth was fast,& slow?

yes, thats the weird part, I keep a log of all my test results and note everything I do to the tank (water changes, changing carbon, cleaning pumps etc). I do not notice a correlation.

 

[kmf507]

Do you dose 2 part or have a calc reactor? After I started dosing 2 part, my sps really started growing rapidly.

 

[whalloper]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12444611#post12444611 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kmf507
Do you dose 2 part or have a calc reactor? After I started dosing 2 part, my sps really started growing rapidly.

I tried B-Ionic for a while, but I had to use too much to keep up with the demand ($$$$). Now my top off water is saturated kalk, and I supplement with Sea Lab # 28 blocks for calcium and Seachem reef builder for alk. I know the Sea Lab blocks do not do exactly what the manufacturer claims they do (buffer ph and "automatically" control calcium) but I have found them to be a good way to "raise" calcium. I just drop one in my sump when my calcium goes below 420 and it slowly dissolves.

 

[seapug]

they will grow whenever the factors of Light, Calcium, pH, and Alkalinity are in the "zone" they need. If one or more of those parameters falls out of line growth will slow or stop.

 

[whalloper]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12448564#post12448564 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seapug
they will grow whenever the factors of Light, Calcium, pH, and Alkalinity are in the "zone" they need. If one or more of those parameters falls out of line growth will slow or stop.

So, is it safe to say healthy corals grow constantly?

 

[seapug]

When those factors are kept constant in captivity, probably yes. Reefs in nature probably experience slight variations depending on seasonal factors that influence water quality-- i.e. monsoon season, dry season, spawning cycles, etc.