The fundamentals of the method that the Italian reefers are using is still very interesting without the HGH. The method is known as the Blu Coral method and involves the feeding of a blender based coral food called Pappone.
The Blu Coral method is basically like the Berlin Method - strong lighting, strong water movement, strong skimming. The method also calls for elevated parameters - 450 - 500ppm Ca, 12-14dKh Alk, 1400 Mg as well as consistent doses of Strontium and Iodide.
The HGH is actually added to the Pappone mix which includes the live/fresh seafood (no frozen), red algae (palmaria), green alage (spirulina), a splash of RO/DI water and a dash of sugar. This stuff is all put in a blender and then blended for like 15 minutes to make it like a cream consitency. This mix is then frozen into cubes.
The sugar is added as a carbon source to activate beneficial bacteria in the tank. The active bacteria serve to help break down the additional nutrients added by the Pappone feedings allowing better removal with your protein skimmer. The bacteria is also an additional food source.
Feedings are done shortly after lights out starting with about a half cube. The procedure is to dose amino acid supplements an hour before the lights go out, remove your skimmer cup but leave the skimmer running to maintain oxygen levels, remove any filter pads, spognes or filter socks, and then feed the pappone mix afer lights out. The filtration is then put back in place the next morning.
The theory is that the HGH breaks down (in the blender or from the freezing?)into its fundamental components which is basically a whole bunch of amino acids.
Certain aminos have been identified to be beneficial to corals for both growth and coloration. L-glutamine, L-aspartic acid, Lysine, Tyrosine etc. They also seem to help with polyp extension. I think that this stuff acts like an appetizer and really opens up the corals allowing better capture of food particles.
The other part of this seem to be conditioning/training the corals to accept the food as the method calls for this to be done a consistent schedule. The aminos seem to trigger the feeding response and then they have a huge amount of food that they can feed on for hours with no filter components removing it from the tank.
The other theory is that the always available reserve of calcification materials via the elevated levels allows unrestrained growth.
Some hobbyists are simply dosing the aminos (seachem reef plus, elos omega aminos, etc.) before feeding and have had good results without the HGH. This is what I am planning since the HGH is illegal. :doh:
Yeah. Someone had to go there. 
