LETS TALK SUSPENSION PROPAGATION!

[graphixx]

This is something that I have been doing quite a bit of research on and to be honest am pretty excited to start it.

What I am talking about is suspension grow out. And by this I mean taking a coral frag and tethering it to a piece of polyester thread and hanging it from a rod and suspending it in the water.

Sounds strange doesnt it! :huh:

So ask yourself: "why should I give this a try when all I have to do is glue it to a piece of rock?"

Well the advantages of suspension fragging are beneficial.

For one you are going to get a very different growth pattern than just the upright growth of an attached frag.
It also optimizes the flow around the coral and the lighting that it recieves as a whole.
The one thing that I really like about this method is that is uses sooo much unused water in a frag tank!!!
and by optimizing this unused water you are liberating the coral from the influences of shelter and shadow from rockscape, as well as from competators.
This method gives the vunerable divisions further protection from many benthic pests and predators (worms, crabs, encroaching algae). It gives you maximum control over coral colonies from interspecific aggression as well.

I have been reading accounts of other hobbyist practicing this method of propagation. They have reported a very significant increase in the rate of growth. This is something that really caught my attention.

Some of the species that have had very good success with this method are: Pocillapora, (Seriatopora and Slylophora), Agaricids (Pavona), Galaxea, Psammocora and Hyndophora, Acroporas.

I am going to be testing this theory on several diff types of acro and Galaxea and Hyndo.

I will start a log document the rate of growth and will get lots of pics to keep you guys informed of what I find.

Thanks for tagging along.

Greg

[dakar]

Sounds like a very interesting propagation method... this should be fun to watch progress!

[perpetual98]

So are the frags hanging upside down? I'd like some more info on that.

[graphixx]

I have read that hobbyist do this either 2 ways:

1. they break a frag off and they they put a dab of glue on the exposed break and attach a piece of thread.

2. you take the piece and just tie a piece of thread around the middle of it and let it hang that way.

from what I have read either way produced the same result. I do not think the way its suspended makes that much diff in the growth.
Good question thanks for bringing that up Eric

[perpetual98]

I still don't get it. lol

In my head, the frag is hanging from a string like a yo-yo, upside down, and it kinda just blows around in the frag tank in the current. I suppose after a while the coral would start growing "upwards" and if it was just blowing around in the current, it would get a lot more light exposure.

I'm sure that I'm reading it wrong though.

[graphixx]

you have got it. by it being able to move around it maximizes the over all flow that the coral gets and better exposrue to the light. if will grow upwards but your going to get a diff growth "pattern" than you would from it being attached to a frag plug or a piece of rock.

[Sweetpea]

How does gravity come into play here? Does the downward pull of it affect the growth pattern of the coral?

[graphixx]

yeah it will affect the growth of the coral. you get unusual growth formations out of suspension propagation. what this is mainly used for is growing out a frag quickly to obtain other useable frags for the "standard" form of fragging which is attaching to a piece of rock

[Sweetpea]

Sounds really interesting ... I can't wait to see pics as your frags grow!

[DaddyJax]

I have seen this done and it usually is sound in begining stages and then the farmer will move the frag to a plug,rock rubble or another solid surface so the growth pattern doesnt effect the placement potential(grows into a ball). I like the method and have had success but what has me a little hessitant is my frag tanks are shallow and it blocks some light when there are too many.

[lReef lKeeper]

sounds like a tree limb growing around piece of rope to me. is the idea on the same principal as that ?? if so it sounds like an interesting option for farming.

[Blk_Lotus]

Anthony Calfo gives a brief overview of this process in his MUST BE OWNED "Book of Coral Propagation." If you're into corals and don't own this book I consider it a delightful investment if for knowledge alone. He writes in something of a cynical fashion, but there is a LOT of information packed into this book (even some color pictures). If plugging literature such as this is a no no here, just edit that part out for me.

Basically, suspension propagation comes down to maximizing current/flow as well as light to each specimen by the lack of live rock getting in the way. Without live rock to try and direct your water flow around more efficient currents can be created with powerheads that aren't as beefy (though I still don't support skimping when it comes to water movement). Mr. Calfo also talks about how lack of live rock and a white sand substrate will help with light reflection back up to the suspended species. Another intent of this method is to produce specimen which lack any kind of orientation, therefore giving the end owner some more options regarding how they want to place the coral in a display. Suspended species also have less worry with regards to tank predators. Hermits, and other "predators" have something of a difficult time reaching suspended coral specimens. I've seen my Sally Lightfoot climb some really interesting places though. I blame the traction she gets from the coralline algae on my back glass.

Anyway, regarding the lack of live rock for those of you wondering how the bio filtration takes place, there are a couple options. Plumb a separate refugium (or plankton generator!) downstream and pile that full of the live rock, OR keep a next to sterile tank with pristine water conditions, superb skimming, frequent water changes and power feed the specimens.

[dakar]

Greg have you set this into play yet?

[graphixx]

actually yes i have, I have a couple of acros that are being suspended along with some digitata. and I have to say that I am very very pleased at the growth I am getting. I would say its close to twice as quick as growth. the growth patter is a bit different. but I am doing this from a fragging stand point so the look of the piece makes no difference to me. I will get some pics up here in the next day or 2

[Fatman]

When you get some good pics let us know.

[mummra]

i would like to see this as well. i have heard the growth forms can mimic natural growth forms more closely although i am not sure how...other than the way water would be flowing around the coral.

[lReef lKeeper]

still waiting on those pics Greg, i would really like to SEE how this is done for a better understanding. sometimes i just need a pic to understand better.

[mummra]

a picture is worth a thousand words.lol

[mutts]

remember greg we love pics... you can't just promise us them and then ignore it... lol.

[lReef lKeeper]

i feel like an Energizer bunny ... waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting.
j/k Greg, i know your busy !!

[lReef lKeeper]

still waiting, and waiting, and waiting.....