need ideas for better acro growth

[jmoney]

Hi there, its been a year since i first added sps into my aquarium, and even though my montiporas have been thriving (especially since the switch to reef-resh and tropic marin bio-actif) but I have yet to see any acro growth.

The acroporas I have came as frags, and have spread slightly along the base of their plugs, and their color is now vibrant after going to reef-resh but their growth, or formation of new branches has been non existent.

I check my parameters every week and they rarely move, and I keep my salinity at 1.025 exactly, even swapped out my powerheads for a vortech mp40w, in a 75 gallon. I am using coralife 150x2 (14k phoenix) and 2x96w (uvl super actinic bulbs) that are changed every 8 months. I also feed reef-roids 2x weekly. My calcium has never dropped below 420 and usually remains around 440-450, but never above.

Just looking for some fresh ideas to speed this growth up, the monti cap has gown from about the size of a quarter to the size of a cereal bowl in the period of 1yr

[magikfly]

Upgrading those MH's to 250W will work wonders.

[footballdude2k3]

do better

[jmoney]

Originally Posted by footballdude2k3

do better

?

[jmoney]

Originally Posted by magikfly

Upgrading those MH's to 250W will work wonders.

was thinking about that, but I have one of those all in one lighting systems, I really didn't want to drop another grand on upgrading to a higher power, but I'm starting to think that the lights must be the issue, the only thing that bothers me is that I get great growth from my encrusting monti, and monti cap

[footballdude2k3]

just kidding, i agree on upgrading the lights

[IndyReefMan]

Do you have enough width on the tank to add a couple of T-5's?

[Jason S]

what are the rest of yoru parameters?

[coral_killer37]

I agree an upgrade to 250's would definitely help your situation. If your monti's are growing, you are surely doing something right with your parameters.

[ruprecht]

Originally Posted by jmoney

...vortech mp40w...

Is it pointing right at the slow growers?

[usefulidiot213]

What is your Alk & Mag? Do you dose any kind of 2 part? If you Mag is low or your Alk is low it doesn't matter how much Calc you have or what lighting your using.

[kfisc]

A sudden upgrade to 250's may shock the heck out of everything. The monti's, I'd assume, would especially suffer from a big change, and 250's are not end-all, be-all, all else considered. I'd bet it's somewhere in your water column.

[usefulidiot213]

With no Acro Growth I would lean more towards your water then light. The 150w should at least provide a little growth. With nothing I would assume the Acros are having issues with the calcification process. Therefore, I would assume your Alk is low.. Or your tank is Mag deprived, most likely both.. I would test your Alk & Mag A.S.A.P Certainly before you drop $$ for new lighting. Get your water right, and I bet the Acros start growing under the 150w.

[LifeAquatic]

If those acros are placed high in the tank they should show some signs of growth under the 150wt. Not sure how new they are but sometimes it can take a month or two for acros to get settled in and grow. Once they do get comfy and water is correct you will get amazing growth!

[hypnoj]

+1 to Mag

[tozzi]

Def upgrade the lights to 250w. Your water sounds good. If your montis are growing then your water is ok, acro = more light. I have montis growing in the shade. Even if your water were so so the acros should still grow

[Gary Majchrzak]

another vote for focusing on the water.
have you tested alkalinity, magnesium and (low range) PO4?

[jmoney]

po4 is .01 alk 9dkh, mag, I will know here later in the afternoon as my mag kit will be arriving, I ran out two weeks ago but It was usually around 1500

[jmoney]

Originally Posted by ruprecht

Is it pointing right at the slow growers?

its about 6 inches away

[jmoney]

Originally Posted by LifeAquatic

If those acros are placed high in the tank they should show some signs of growth under the 150wt. Not sure how new they are but sometimes it can take a month or two for acros to get settled in and grow. Once they do get comfy and water is correct you will get amazing growth!

they have been in there for a year with no growth, just a slight spread across the bottom of the plugs they came on

[wrott]

I some times wonder why Acros don't grow, until I look at time lapsed photos. Base encrustation is growth (even though it's in the wrong desired direction), and a strong base is a good sign. Do you run GFO and carbon, and pH and NO3 may be slowing things down a little. If you have PE and good color, then upgrading lights may be the answer.
With the cost of MH bulbs, I've seriously considered going LED. The bulb replacement alone after 3 years would pay for the LED (I spend $300 every 6 months on MH). But I'd want 3w Crees, and they are a bundle of $.

[mike_cmu04]

I agree with going led i have had mine running 3 months and have probably a half inch new growth on my acros and great color. I think you just dont have enough light with the 150's

[jmoney]

just tested mag its at 1500, ph has been 8.2 during the day and 7.9 from about 5 am till 930 am, and then picks back up when the lights come back on, nitrates are undetectable

[Ralph ATL]

upgrade to 250's at least for acro. if your calcium, mag, alk, trates are all good, and your phates are at 0.028 or better...........lights!

flow is good, too.

you can get a good deal on those galaxy select a watt 250/400.

buy one when you can, then buy some sunlight reflectors used.

Sell your lights. bam!

[jmoney]

2x 250ws on a 75 gallon tank though? that just seems like overkill to me