optimum zoa frag size

[jenglish]

if you were trying to prop zoanthids as quickly as possible what would the optimum number of polyps per frag. I find that if there is only 3 on a frag it grows slowly at first. But a huge colony can only grow on the edges and is slow as well. So what size is juuuust right?

 

[manhorsedog]

Re: optimum zoa frag size

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15104564#post15104564 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jenglish
if you were trying to prop zoanthids as quickly as possible what would the optimum number of polyps per frag. I find that if there is only 3 on a frag it grows slowly at first. But a huge colony can only grow on the edges and is slow as well. So what size is juuuust right?

Your theory about polyps not growing fast with big colonies does not make sense. If new babies only grow on edges then a big colony would have the most surface area for new polyps to grow.

Most polyps I have come across all react different, so maintaining your tank to the standards you like is the key. (that includes lighting and what not) Watch your tank everyday and study how things react, move and change things as you see fit.

But I have found moving them as little as possible works best. (for me)

 

[flyyyguy]

the bigger the colony is the more it will produce, and the less you mess with it....the more it will produce...as a rule

There are some instances where this isnt true, where actually making a cut and seperating polyps from the colony will stimulate growth, especially if the colony appears healthy, but growth has been stagnant for a while for whatever reason.

As far as the surface area thing, there is certainy some truth to that....but at the same time the concept itself could contradict itself, as if you take a 10 x 10 colony for example, and cut it up into 100 frags with the same amoutn of polyps in each one you will then have much more linear surface area for the polyps to grow out........ But will it really produce more polyps becasue of it?? I would think in perfect conditions and in perfect health it probably would.............but unless you did a true scientific experiment with controls we could never know.


And what about when polyps start growing up and stacking on each other?? That happens too, especially for those of you who keep sand, and start a frag growing on a frag plug in the sand. Theu will start grwoing up on top of each other instead of out to the sand once the plug fills.

lol

hows that for not answering your question??

 

[jenglish]

this is more of a theoretical question than really a practical one but...
Take 20 polyps, a frag of 20 has less surface area than 5 frags of 4 or 6 frags of 3-4... but I find once a frag gets small, lets say I frag 20 individual frag..... they tend to grow slower than at least the 4 frags of 5 IME. I know there are a million factors going into the equation I just wondered if anybody thought there was a good number of polyps per frag for propogation

I have found that if I move a mother colony every few weeks it has left a few straglers to fill in... this got me thinking on this question. If I was trying to produce as rapidly as possible, what size would I want a colony?

Thanks for the input!

 

[jok312]

i would venture to guess the real estate they have to grow on is also important. the more space they have to grow the more they will spread. just a theory. i also notice that the more polyps i have of a zoa the more polyps they produce.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

Re: optimum zoa frag size

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15104564#post15104564 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jenglish
if you were trying to prop zoanthids as quickly as possible what would the optimum number of polyps per frag. I find that if there is only 3 on a frag it grows slowly at first. But a huge colony can only grow on the edges and is slow as well. So what size is juuuust right?

I never secure no less than 4 or 5 polyps to a rock with a good rate of success. I never use frag plugs, instead I use small rocks. Everyone has their personal preference when it comes to answering this question. Good luck.

Mucho Reef

 

[camlov2]

I would say 4-5 polyps would work well. I agree with the large group of polyps not having the growth area as small groups.

for those that disagree with that, here is an example. Take a circle that has a set circumference (distance around). If you cut that circle in half you now have the same exact circumference and two diameters (distance across the middle) to grow from.

The smaller the number of polyps the more area to grow (per polyp that you have). I say 4-5 because you are more likely to kill off the polyps if you are trying to frag down to 1-2 polyps. This number can also differ based on how sensitive a type of zoa is.

 

[SIR PATRICK]

IME I would start with frags of 8+ polyps, preferably 10.

All the small frags I have fragged/received have grown relatively slow till around 8-10 polyps, then really took off.

I would also have to add that small frags (1-3 polyps) are somtimes not as stable as larger groups, and dont always fare as well.