SPS Growth

[ricky1414]

I have a 20H reef with mixed SPS, LPS and a few Softies, and I have a couple of questions to pose to you guys:

I went out of town overnight (monday-today) and noticed that my orange M.digitata appears to have added at least 30-40% new growth in two days. The braches have gotten considerably larger in diameter, and new buds are forming on the branches where none were previously. I have had it for approximately 3.5 months, and the most it had done was encrust at the base. Is this normal? Nothing else has shown noticable growth, maybe a little for my new orange cap frag.

I may also contribute it to my cpr bakpak 2R with the Rio600 ph. It seems to have taken a dive while I had left. When I returned, it was pushing a little bit of water, but absolutely no bubbles whatsoever. Could the absence of skimming, and the rise in nutrients in the water column have spurned such a growth?

Additionally, do I purchase a new ph today to return the skimmer to working order, or leave it alone for now, and let nature take its course? (sounds quite dubious being that tanks are unnatural )

I had some explaining to do to my wife that it was indeed the same coral, and I had not bought another one, because it bears no resemblance to what it looked like only a few days ago. I know it seems a little absurd, but it is indeed, true.

Thanks for your help
Rick

 

[Unarce]

Rick,

This would be normal for a fast grower like an M. digitata. Typically, a newly introduced frag or coral would go through a slow-growth phase and mostly encrust for several weeks.

I had a similar problem trying to explain to my wife when my M. digitata frag exploded. I fragged and placed two pieces that were the same size as the original frag just two weeks before. So, she thought I bought two more corals.

 

[ricky1414]

Thanks reefnutz! And everyone said I would get slow growth rates with 20k. :wink:

 

[Unarce]

Which 20K are you using? I'm running the XM 250W XDE.

 

[ricky1414]

AB 70W DE, but I did not go the DIY route, it is mounted in a PFO reflector. It gives me enough light in my opinion, and no problems with heat to speak of.

 

[Unarce]

AB 70W DE, but I did not go the DIY route, it is mounted in a PFO reflector. It gives me enough light in my opinion, and no problems with heat to speak of.

Duh, I should have read your sig. Heat is less of an issue with DE's. :wink:

 

[ricky1414]

What should I do about the skimmer reefnutz?

 

[Unarce]

Sorry, wrong guy to ask. I haven't used a skimmer in years. :wink:

 

[ricky1414]

I was thinking about a HOB refugium to replace it, maybe do away with a little nuisance algae along the way.

 

[Unarce]

A refuge/macro is my method of choice. Judging from these forums, nuisance algae can occur whether or not you have a skimmer. After 13 years of no skimmer use, I've been able to avoid algae problems. Maybe I've just been lucky.

 

[ricky1414]

It is just that with only a 20 gallon tank, things can get outta hand really quickly. Not that they are(knock on wood) but they can. Even more so with a 3/4 gallon pico. I just gave a friend my 2 fish so that I can keep my bioload down in my 20.

 

[Unarce]

Yeah, overskimming a 20g is a strong possibility. An HOB refugium would perform a lot of functions for you, like nutrient export (macro), stabilize ph (reverse photoperiod), and feed your corals and fish (critter and critter larvae).