[msbdiving]

Just wondering what type of growth rate you folks have had with the green star polyps. I would be interested to know about how many inches/centimeters per week. Also under what lighting conditions.

[teajay33]

i dont know about "per week" but i've added a couple inches in about 2 months under 150w MH

[Krazy]

well in six months time, my 25cent quarter sized frag turned into something larger then a soft ball, and on top of that I've got a FEW half dollar sized frags from it..

Given the right conditions they grow like fire or just grow at a descent pace, for others they spread like a plaque...

[starboy]

Mine grows really slow.
Check your water.Fast growth indicates you have high levels of nitrate and phosphate.Excellent for GSP but bad for some other corals.

[kolokefalo]

Starboy,

I disagree a bit with you. Briareum sp. or the green star polyps have grown very quickly in most every tank I put them in. The water parameters in those tanks have been excellent. The main reason I ever saw them slow down was if the calcium level dropped a bit. They lay down alot of tissue before a polyp appears and this takes good calcium levels, DKH, and no phosphates which bind calcium. If he is referring to Green zoathus polyps they can be found in the wild at the very top of the reef and even exposed and out of the water at low tides. They release water to keep themselves moist until the tide comes back.

To the OP,

I would check your PH, calcium, and DKH and see where it is. Also, are you using limewater or Kalkwasser for your make up water? In response to your question my old tanks which had them were at minimum 4 watts per gallon with 10k halides and supplemental actinics.

[msbdiving]

Just an update on the GSP. I have measured the growth over the last month. It has spread out 1.5 inches over the last month growing on the rock vertically. It is growing towards the direction of the flow and the light. My intentions were to grow it a little and then once started, frag it. Those little suckers are about due for a cut.

Thanks for the input kolo. I wasn't about to let my nitrates and phosphates go up for them. I think starboy was under the impression that the GSP's were a plant instead of a coral.