SPS Growth Rates

So Im relatively new to reefkeeping so I would like to ask the more experienced 3reefers input on what a good measure of success is in SPS growth. For instance, a couple of my frags have grown about an inch or so over about four months. Is that about average?

 

Growth rates are hugely variable depending on the exact coral, some just grow slower, some just grow faster, also exactly lighting and feeding levels etc make a big difference. Also sometimes they will encrust or thicken up for a while and then grow longer branches which might give them the appearance of growing more sporadically.

An inch in 4 months is not bad IMO, probably sort of moderate growth rate. I would be happy with that on average, personally.

 

Even though I'm fairly new to SPS I have to agree with ^^. I have a green monti cap that has grown 2" in 2 months and a red one that hasn't done half that. My birdsnest looks like it hasn't grown at all unless you look at pics of the day it was added. Then you'll notice that the the branches are getting alot thicker. Growth depends on alot of different factors.

 

The amount of flow hitting the coral also affects its growth. Heavy flow makes it grow less tall and more compact with the branches thicker. Light flow makes it grow longer and thinner with less dense branch growth.

 

the larger the coral is, the faster it grows... with all yours being frags, you will see real slow growth rates... however, as they become larger they also can take in more light/nutrients with their larger surface area so growth becomes quicker
almost an exponential trend...

 

+1 on all above posts from me

In my limted experience of SPS with frags mostly and mini colonies
base growth is 1st - you barely notice anything for weeks, months even, except that the coral is spreading more on the plug or rock that its attached to ( wants to be secure so that when it grows it doesnt become top heavy and fall over)

once I had noticed a more full plug or rock covering, I began to notice elongation in the tips , typically an area of a different colour to the rest of the coral

once that happened, it was then that I could percieve growth as this is something thats easier to see at a glance

Steve

 

it definately depends on the coral you have! I have had a reverse sunset monti that was attached to a round disc. I have had this now for 2 years and it is just now covered the entire top surface of the disc. My other montis are growing very very fast. Some of my acros seemed like they never grew and then all the sudden would take a fast growth spurt!
My fastest growing coral right now is my lava chalice! It is one of the largest corals I have in my tank, so it seems to grow the fastest!

It also depends on the lights you have, 10k lights will give you faster growth then a 14k, which will grow faster then 20k, etc. However you will loose some of the color of the acros with the harsher white light