Frog spawn growth question

[frantz]

I knocked off a little branch of my frog spawn yesterday and decided to frag it and place in my other tank. Its actually doing better here than when it was attached as it doesn't have to compete with the main body for light. I'm curious how the base grows though. What causes the calcium to build up? or does it just expand with the animal and then break off and rest where it falls? I never really considered how this process works naturally before.

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[jennm]

The skeleton grows as the coral grows. That's why it's important to have calcium, magnesium and other trace elements present in sufficient quantities, to allow reef-building corals to grow properly.

Just like bones and teeth in people and animals.

Jenn

 

[frantz]

Cool and thanks! I didn't realize the skeleton part was still alive.

 

[smallblock]

OT, but are those baby possums? in your avatar

 

[jennm]

Well part of it is where the tissue connects to it. As it grows out, the skeleton isn't alive - like fingernails - it's connected to the living tissue but it's not alive as such. As the coral grows taller, the only living/growing bit is the skeleton closest to the polyp.

Jenn

 

[frantz]

Thanks for the clarification.. so to continue my thoughts... that tiny base i currently have will not support the weight as it grows.. is this simply how they spread in the wild? as a new piece grows and breaks off it drifts somewhere else?

and

OT, but are those baby possums? in your avatar

yes. yes they are. I had them as pets for awhile before I left for basic training and oddly my mother wasn't interested in taking care of them so I let them go.

 

[smallblock]

Cool we had a little baby about that size come up on the porch. I was amazed at how something so ugly in its adult form could be so adorable as a juvi. The next day I found it in the road

 

[jennm]

I haven't had them drop off in our system (we've had to break them off) but I'd bet that breakage occurs (storms etc.)

The skeleton will thicken as the polyp grows - for the most part they grow to support the weight of the polyps. If they don't, you probably don't have enough calcium/magnesium in your system.

Jenn

 

[frantz]

Thanks, I need to get a mag test. Cal I have kept around 600

 

[frantz]

ugh.. you're right after doing some more research. Thanks for pointing that out, I should have paid more attention to hs chem.

 

[frantz]

Is there a way to whisper? api x-= When i bought the tank last year it came with the reef kit and I figured on just using them up. I have sand which I was just reading can rise cal through it dissolving, My Ph is around 8.0 and I added some 8.3 PH buffer yesterday after doing my water test. The test have been pretty stable and I had been adding some reef builder, though I'll be cutting that back and seeing what results I get.