salinity vs. polyp/mushroom growth

[dclegern]

in the opinion of those of you able to reproduce these little boogers with no effort at all.
is it low end or high end salinity that enduces propagation?

[Europhyllia]

Nothing has changed for me in regards to salinity (I always keep it at 35 ppt) but I have felt mushroom challenged for the longest time.
Lately though I am growing shrooms like crazy!
I haven't been able to keep my tank levels up with just kalkwasser so I've switched to 2 part (bulkreef) and everything has started to look better.
I have to dose 4-5 ounces of calcium per day.
I realize mushrooms don't really use calcium so I am not sure what's going on. But ever since I quit the kalkwasser or the once a week calcium adjustment and am doing it daily in the morning everything is just looking really good.

[dclegern]

why are you losing so much calcium?
that's crazy, I rarely dose, and mine stays at 500.

but I do keep my salinity down at .022 not .025. I wonder if that makes a huge dif. or not.?

[Europhyllia]

My clams and coco worms seem to grow a lot. I am sure they are using up a bunch at this time.

[CoryDude]

A normal salinity range shouldn't affect growth, just as long as everything is stable and doesn't fluctuate too much. I've always had a lot of luck w/inverts and Lugol's solution.

[ballardjr2000]

That is wierd for that much calcium use, I have a cocera clam that is growing like crazy and my calcium doesn't drop that fast. I also have a lot of coraline growth as well. Hmm...I keep my salt lvl at .024 to .025 and my corals are growing like crazy but it should matter too much as long as things are stable

[Europhyllia]

try 3 clams, a large spiny oyster and 3 coco worms.
Also keep in mind that the DIY bulkreef calcium supplement is less concentrated than bottled calc supplement would be.

[RayAllen]

I dont think saltinity has anything to do with how fast or well they grow.

I will be honest and say I do not do a weekly water change. I do a water change approx every 2 to 3 weeks depending on my schedule. When I do my water change I do not use the best salt out there either. I use instant ocean. My Corals are thriving. Well primarily my softies. I grow shrooms, colt trees and basic zoas like no other. My LPS Candycanes are doing well also.

You asked specifically about shrooms. Ive had non stop growth now for about 3 months. My numbers have gone from maybe 7 to now over 20+ heads with minimal care. I do however dose with iodide but im not sure it actually makes a difference.