What could make A.formosa not thrive, but others do well?

[kevensquint]

I have a variety of Acros softies and a LPS, all do very well and are growing. The tank is over 2 years old and I have noticed that the only frags that have STNed a bit at the base and don't really do anything,- no growth, sometimes have good plyp extension and sometimes not, are the stags. What could make a stag unhappy, while all others do very well? I have rediculous growth on my monti's and averge to very good growth on my bushy type acros.

 

[Sk8r]

Consider the current. If downwind of a softie, most stonies and lps's will not grow. Running carbon helps, but does not help enough to prevent the inital waft of growth-stunting chemicals from the softie from reaching the stony.

 

[Jeffie]

I believe that the whole softies thing is kind of an old myth that people got stuck believing in. Not completely sure though. There are many successful mixed reefs that have thriving SPS which it sounds like most of yours are. Is this a wild colony or aquacultured? Is it a frag or a colony? Have you tried moving this coral around to different spots in the tank to see how it reacts? Have you inspected it for bugs?

 

[shelburn61]

It's well known that lot of the leathers do release hard coral inhibiting chemicals. No myth. Some are worse than others.

 

[kevensquint]

Does anyone have a reliable source or article on softies stunting hard coral growth? If not, I must agree that it's just a rumor. Jeffie, I have inspected all the corals over and over, I can't find anything on them, all my SPS frags are frags that were grown in the sea and at about 3-4" they are imported and sold here (montreal) at a LFS. I use 1 cup of carbon that I change weekly with my 15% WC, I also skimm with the RemoraPro and use a U.V sterilizer. On a 65 I think its more than enough to have good water quality. Any other ideas?...maybe too much light?

 

[shelburn61]

I don't have time to look up the articles, but I believe Borneman's book talks about chemical released from softies.

your problem may be the source of your corals. Maricultured frags are much less hardy than aquacultured or tank-raised coral.

Some do better than others but for me tank-raised frags outgrow maricultures every time.

 

[shelburn61]

Check the bottom of this link:

http://reefcentral.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=5&page=2

 

[samsfishnchips]

kevensquint,

have a buddy that did a coral farm and before setting up, talk to a few coral farm owner and they all pretty much agree that mixing is not such a hot idea when growth is the main concern, but in single house tank its kind of adequate for "looks" and decent growth

different corals do need different environment to thrive, ect

you mention "STNed a bit at the base"
why not check for acro flat worms, thats pretty much one of the signs,

hope you find the cause and get the tank on track, good luck,

sam