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Acropora Challenge
This is a study sponsored by the Breeder's Registry. I have four fragments as part of this study.
Acropora microphthalma
This fragment is 18cm from the surface, 30cm to a 175W MH bulb, 25cm to a powerhead on wavemaker switched at 1 minute intervals. Near some halimeda algae, ~15cm to elegance coral.- 11/17/94
- Total length: 7.8cm, Radial length: 5.5cm. Some new growth, polyps extend about 30% during the day, fully at night.
- 12/17/94
- Total length: 8.4cm, Radial length: 5.6cm. Much new growth, maybe 2mm of encrusting growth around base, new axial polyps, longer branches.
- 1/21/95
- Total length: 8.5cm, Radial length: 6.3cm. Some new growth, but slower than last month.
Acropora elseyi
This fragment is 25cm from the surface, 45cm to the 175W MH bulb, 36cm to a powerhead on wavemaker switched on 1 minute intervals. Nearest neighbor is a gorgonian 20cm away.- 11/17/94
- Total length: 4.6cm, Radial length: 3.9cm. The base has receeded about 20% since the piece was epoxied down. The polyps seldom extend. It is a little lighter in color, with slightly less of a green sheen than it was originally.
- 12/17/94
- Total length: 4.6cm, Radial length: 3.9cm. Recession has stopped, maybe even grown back a little. No visible growth, polyps rarely open.
- 1/21/95
- Total length: 4.6cm, Radial length: 3.9cm. No visible growth, polyps rarely open.
Pavona Cactus
This fragment is 25cm from the surface, 45cm to a 175W MH bulb, with slight current from a powerhead across the tank. It's about 20cm to some yellow polyps and the A. elseyi fragment.- 11/17/94
- Total length: 6.1cm, Radial length: 5.7cm. The color is a little paler than it was originally. There are a few chips in the growing edge due to falling over. A .5 x 1cm spot damaged in handling healed over.
- 12/17/94
- Total length: 5.8cm, Radial length: 5.1cm. Something attacked it, breaking off numerous chips along the growing edge, hence the decrease in size. It has actually healed somewhat in smoothing out some of the jagged edges. It shows 0.5mm of new encrusting growth near the base.
- 1/21/95
- Total length: 5.8cm, Radial length: 5.1cm. No visible growth, color is very pale.
Montipora Digitata
This fragment is 25cm from the surface, 42 cm to a 175W MH bulb, 45cm from a powerhead on wavemaker switched on 1 minute intervals. Nearest neighbors are yellow polyps and a Tridacna clam, both ~8cm away.- 11/17/94
- Total length: 5.6cm, Radial length: 3.7cm. There has been some growth; bumps are appearing that look to be new branches. The polyps are always open, part-way during the day and entirely at night.
- 12/17/94
- Total length: 5.7cm, Radial length: 3.9cm. While the main bulk hasn't grown much longer, the numberous small fingers are definately growing. It also shows about 2mm of new encrusting growth around the base.
- 1/21/95
- Total length: 6.0cm, Radial length: 4.0cm. The fingers continue to grow noticibly, as well as the encrusting growth around the base.