Do acros always grow out not up??

[kitenski]

This little green frag that I had seems to be spreading out and not up!

http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_2004.jpg
http://gregh.co.uk/jpegs/tank/IMG_2230.jpg

[Tristan]

I have a few that do this, they just seem to spread around the base but others grow upwards, i think its something to do with the amount of light they get but thats just a guess!

[kitenski]

it was under 150w MHs, now under 250's at the top so maybe it will "grow up" ;)

Regards,

Greg

[ickypimp]

it ill depend upon species and flow as much as lighting also

[simon garratt]

All branching acro frags will try to lay a base down first before they start growing upwards to strengthen the bond to the substrate against the flow. The stronger the flow, the more growth at the base before they switch to upwards growth with thicker heavyer branches. the lighter the flow, the smaller the base and thinner the branches.

sometimes basal growth can take several months before any descernable upwards growth is whitnessed.

regards

Si.

[kitenski]

interesting though, the base is getting wider, but it hasn't "touched down" onto the rock it is milliputed to!

I wonder if it is continuing to spread, until it can find some rockwork to anchor onto??

If only it grew down instead of out it would be fine ;)

Regards,

Greg

[KeithM]

mounting frags horizontally can sometimes help speed up the time it takes the coral to lay down a base... its also more natural for the frags.