Fastest/hardiest

[wes]

So, what is it? I've gots some scripps staghorn that is growing like mad, and some monti cap that's halted in comparison. I have several other frags that I haven't had long enough to judge. I really don't think I've killed anything, but I still want to stick to easy to keep SPS. That having been said, what's the quickest growing, hardiest SPS to keep? Anyone have a frag they'd like to donate? I could even give you my best "extreme make-over: reef edition" story...

[David Grigor]

When looking for maximum growth, water parameters will have alot to do with it. Alk, Ca , Mg , Ph, and low phosphates are all key. Need these levels to be at or above NSW.
Do you test and maintain these on a consistant basis ?

Most caps are fast growing. There are some exceptions though, I have a very nice purple that requires lower light to maintain its deep purple color and is a slow grower. All my others are actually too fast of growers and actually becomes a pain to keep trimmed.

[wes]

pH stays around 8.2 to 8.3 no phosphates detectable likely because of kalk dosing. Ca stays over 400, alk was suffering but I think it may be my test kit as newly made saltwater for w/c is very low, too. no nitrogenous wastes at all, though I might try to find a way to let nitrates slip to 3-5ppm as I've read it can be advantageous. 5-10%w/c every couple days.

[David Grigor]

Alk is very key, and really more important to keep elevated than CA is. Calcification is limited by ALK levels so you can keep CA levels really high but without Alk it doesn't do any good. Best to keep above 7dkh at all times. I would shoot for 8+dkh at all times so you have some breathing room to never go below 7dkh. Automated supplementation is the best but otherwise needs to be maintained daily as a tank with large demands can easily consume 1dkh per day.

[wolmutt]

and with that said, lets talk about specific species. David, the floor is yours.

[wes]

indeed, I'm still curious. will keep up the alk better, I promise :-)

[mattb]

Montipora capricornis (and all the mis-identified called caps)
Montipora digitata
Acropora millepora
Pocilliopora damincornis
Stylophora pistillata

You should measure your PO4, not just assume that kalk will keep them at zero. Unfortunately, the two good PO4 test kits are Deltec/Merck and Hanna, everything else is pretty crappy....

[spsick]

I would say thats scripps green stag , or the larry jackson purple monster are the fastest growers. I've seen 6 inches a year out of the stag!

[David Grigor]

A number of acros that are generically called a staghorn especially green slimer, birdsnest I've kept grow pretty fast.

Speaking in general terms acros that are more thick/stubby tend to be slower growers.

[wes]

Montipora capricornis (and all the mis-identified called caps)
Montipora digitata
Acropora millepora
Pocilliopora damincornis
Stylophora pistillata

You should measure your PO4, not just assume that kalk will keep them at zero. Unfortunately, the two good PO4 test kits are Deltec/Merck and Hanna, everything else is pretty crappy....

I test every now and again for P04, but I have a hagen kit, and it never registers any, so I've stopped testing much.

[mattb]

I'd not put much faith into that test kit.....

Also remember that for the PO4 test kits only measure inorganic phosphates and that the Phosphate Cycle in seawater shows us that organic phosphates can become inorganic phosphates.