table acropora, optimal growth rate (was , height)

[kaskiles]

Hi,

Does anyone know how high to expect a table Acropora (such as Acropora hyacinthus) to grow in an aquarium after a few years? Would 10 inches (base surface to water surface) be enough?

Thanks.

 

[SnowManSnow]

It will GReATLY depend on what lighting fixture you are running. 150w MH.. gonna be pushing it for survival.. 250w high to middle.. 400w .. just abut anywhere down to 20 - 25 inches deep.

 

[kaskiles]

Ok, so if I assumed it had optimal: lighting, water flow, water quality, tank size, food, etc. Is there any ball park estimate at vertical growth rate (or growth rate in any direction ?

Thanks!

 

[SnowManSnow]

optimal would be at home on the reef with the actual SUN and waves for circulation.

That being said. I've had SPSs grow an inch in all directions over 8mos or so. But they rarely keep that pace for extended periods of time.

B.

 

[kaskiles]

If I started with two different similar sized frags, one branching acropora and one tabular:

would the tabular grow faster horizontally and slower vertically (than the branching one)?
or
would the tabular grow just as fast vertically, and just ultimately grow a lot wider than the branching one?

Thanks, Kenneth.

 

[SnowManSnow]

There's no way to tell.. again, it has to do with tank variables.. Lighting.. flow.. nutrients... all sorts of things.

If you are asking because you are going to put a few in your tank and don't want them conflicting.. just put them in there. It's like watching water evaporate from a lake. corals generally grow pretty slo... and if they start to conflict, just move them.

IMO theres absolutely NO WAY to tell what 2 frags are going to do over a period of years.

B