Birdsnest coral growth?

[mrbill]

I picked up several SPS corals at the frag swap to give them a try. So far I am very happy with how they are doing and I have been surprised with the fast growth. I can actually see the pink birdsnest growing a little every day. Two days ago two little buds appeared and today there are many more plus the existing branches are getting longer. Is this normal growth speed?


http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-1/1240673/newbirdsnest.jpg

[NAL]

I wish mine grew that fast. Nice birdsnest.

[David Grigor]

Yes, birdsnest can definately grow new branches pretty quickly because the branches are so thin. Always a good sign though that it's doing good.

[Chad Vossen]

i got dibs on a frag! i like the pink birdsnest, but dont have one of my own yet.

[NandKBlock]

I have a pink birdsnest as well and it grows like that in spurts. I'm just now recovering from some (ahem) issues and it was one of the first ones to start really taking off again. The more light the pinker they become and I've read that more flow equals a more dense growth pattern while a lower flow leads to a less dense growth pattern.

[mattb]

...
The more light the pinker they become
..

Sorry, but that is not correct. Increased light levels do not equate to more vivid coloration.

[NandKBlock]

Thank you, I'll correct that. In my experience the more light the pinker they become.

[brendondreher]

The more light the pinker they become and I've read that more flow equals a more dense growth pattern while a lower flow leads to a less dense growth pattern.

I dont want to hijack this thread but would the "more dense growth pattern" cause a more compact figure?
Mine is very similar to the the pic posted but with a bit more branching. It doesnt seem to have the nice thickness/ crossing that I have seen in pictures.

armagedon48: let me know when you will be in town next. I might be able to snap you a frag.

[David Grigor]

There are also lots of different birdnest variations. Some will keep very thin delicate branches and very pointy while others thicker with more rounded ends.

So that can also have alot to do with it......

[NandKBlock]

http://www.tcmas.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=1586

With photoshop and stuff you can't really trust a picture for colors and what-not, but as I've moved my birdsnest higher in the tank it's pinked up quite a bit. Here's a photo covering a four month timespan that included two months of low 1.019 salinity (and low levels of Ca, Mg, etc.) when it wasn't really growing at all.

I believe I read about the denser growth pattern in higher flow in one of the books I bought about corals but I'm not sure. Mine's getting blasted and you can see it's much more dense than the the other one pictured in this thread.

Anyway, IMO they're a cool coral. Not the rarest thing like a lot of the old-timers like, but it's a neat shape, fast growing, and a good unusually bright pink color.

[NandKBlock]

Ditto David's sentiments. Many strains, all will color and grow differently. All will be affected by many factors, not just light.

Sorry, just trying to help... I'm done now. Seen but not heard. Got it.

I'm glad your corals are doing well. Consider snapping a pic every month so you can look back at the growth and color and stuff. It's fun to look back in time and plus it's a good way to get practice with your camera too! :biggthumpup:

[brendondreher]

NandKblock: thats what I was hoping for when I got my frag but mine is much more lanky. I love your variety!
I just doubled my flow and all I have noticed in the past week it has had less polip extension. I'm sure that everything is in a bit of shock but am hoping that it helps a bit.

[David Grigor]

Brendon, give it time. I personally like the thinner more delicate looking ones. As it grows you can also prune off the more lanky parts and re-glue near the base. This will help get it to look more like a colony quicker too.

Also have to look out for current that get blasted from one side more than the other, then the birdsnest looses its symetrical look and leans which I personally don't care for and trim those pieces off and make frags out of them.

[gogregerson]

(Dont know what happened to the C in Coral in the heading????

Fixed it for you:biggthumpup:

[redlion4]

I picked up several SPS corals at the frag swap to give them a try. So far I am very happy with how they are doing and I have been surprised with the fast growth. I can actually see the pink birdsnest growing a little every day. Two days ago two little buds appeared and today there are many more plus the existing branches are getting longer. Is this normal growth speed?
It's looking good! The mother colony had an early issue with die off two years ago that was likely the result of a water temp issue (below 75°). This birdsnest has done quite well since stabilizing the water temp, especially given that it is kept under VHOs (4x110W on IC660). There are still additional frags of it available if anyone is interested.

This strain generally grows thin and pointed branches. It will grow / fill in more densely over time. Color under the VHO was a cross of pink and peach. Not sure of its potential under other lighting conditions.

Ryan.

[mattb]

Thank you, I'll correct that. In my experience the more light the pinker they become.

My bad, my comment came off badly, too terse. I didn't mean it that way.

[Adam G]

I have a pink birdsnest that started from a frag from someone in the club. I have had it about six months and it grew very rapidly. I decided to move it but the plug had adhered itself to the rock so I took the rock out to get the frag off and I ended up dropping the frag on the basement floor. Luckily the branches that broke off were pretty big so I glued them all to frag plugs and now I have 5 frags. It is amazing how fast the thing grows. Mine has the very thin branches.

Mr Bill, yours is growing amazingly fast. You must have good flow, CA, and ALK. Nice colortation as well. Looks like just the right amount of light too judging by the coloration.

[mrbill]

I probably should have noted that I got the birdsnest frag from Ryan (redlion4) and that I am using T5's. I better get the new 215 going before the BN out grows the 110. Thanks.

[Mikko]

http://www.tcmas.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=1586


I want one of these... Exactly like this. Same color, etc. How much am I expected to pay?

Would they do well in my tank?

[NandKBlock]

I believe I read about the denser growth pattern in higher flow in one of the books I bought about corals but I'm not sure. Mine's getting blasted and you can see it's much more dense than the the other one pictured in this thread.

I found where I read it! In the last paragraph on page 335 of Aquarium Corals by Eric H. Borneman it says "Areas of high water movement will also tend to favor hydrodynamically resistant, flattened, and compressed growth forms in corals."

I guess that might have been where I originally read it... But at least I know I'm not crazy! :biggrin:

[brendondreher]

I read that same thing somewhere and tried it for a couple months. All I noticed was uneven growth, like a tree blowing in the wind.

[bunglito]

Mine isn't the pink one but I got this from David Grigor on 1/22/08. Sorry, pic was horrible but you get the size idea.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/3161466278_e131cba3fb.jpg?v=0

As of last week:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/3157934761_fe1c9ba27f.jpg?v=0

It has a really cool yellow/green sheen to it that the picture doesn't really bring out. I do plan on fragging this shortly.

[wolmutt]

Mine isn't the pink one but I got this from David Grigor on 1/22/08. Sorry, pic was horrible but you get the size idea.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/3161466278_e131cba3fb.jpg?v=0

As of last week:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/3157934761_fe1c9ba27f.jpg?v=0

It has a really cool yellow/green sheen to it that the picture doesn't really bring out. I do plan on fragging this shortly.

Correct me if I am wrong, but that is the birdsnest the Grigor got from Capman before he had the tank crashes. If it is it has the potential to be bright pink like Zibba's old colony.

[bunglito]

It's this one:

http://www.tcmas.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3721&highlight=birdsnest

I'd be curious to see the old picture if David still has it around.

[David Grigor]

Correct me if I am wrong, but that is the birdsnest the Grigor got from Capman before he had the tank crashes. If it is it has the potential to be bright pink like Zibba's old colony.

If it came from me it's the Tubs purple polyped birdsnest just different colorations based on lighting/tank conditions. Eric/Zibbas is the same piece as he got his from me as well. It will be hot pink under more intense light and will have more of a green sheen with purple polypds under lower light.

I wish I still had the Capman strain as that is by far my favorite. Never had a birdsnest that looked so delicate. I'm not sure that any have survived over the years. I know Capman lost his in the tank crash some years ago.

[wolmutt]

As far as I know I received a frag from Mary two years ago, grew the frag to a colony, kept a frag, and will be growing it out, again. I'll make sure that I get you a frag, but I question that it is the actual peice you are looking for.

[CMBECKER]

Mine isn't the pink one but I got this from David Grigor on 1/22/08. Sorry, pic was horrible but you get the size idea.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/3161466278_e131cba3fb.jpg?v=0

As of last week:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/3157934761_fe1c9ba27f.jpg?v=0

It has a really cool yellow/green sheen to it that the picture doesn't really bring out. I do plan on fragging this shortly.

Wow when you frag that i would love a shot at one!

[David Grigor]

Wow when you frag that i would love a shot at one!

It's the same coral, just gets a different coloration because of the lighting conditions. Higher intensity more pink, lower will get a green sheen and the polyps can look more purple.

[Zekester]

I have the Capman strain

[Luna81]

Too bad these probably wouldn't work in a standard biocube. Dang the lights. :(

[dougers31]

Too bad these probably wouldn't work in a standard biocube. Dang the lights. :(

Knowing what I know(not alot) I think I would give it a shot, would have to be high up in the tank though. Your cal/alk/mag would have to be at the right levels with some good flow in there also.

[Luna81]

Knowing what I know(not alot) I think I would give it a shot, would have to be high up in the tank though. Your cal/alk/mag would have to be at the right levels with some good flow in there also.

I'll keep it in mind then. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try as long as I don't invest too much into it. I have stuff to dose with if needed.

[mrbill]

I thought I would post an update on my pink birdsnest. I too (see redlion's post) had a issue with tank temps this winter. I was trying to run 74.5 to 75 and it wasn't working. The birdsnest started dying off from the base so I cut it up and raised the tank up to 76. Its really happy now and it has show great growth. Its hard to tell from the photo but its as tall as it was before I fragged it.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-1/1240673/birdsnest2.jpg

[CMBECKER]

It's the same coral, just gets a different coloration because of the lighting conditions. Higher intensity more pink, lower will get a green sheen and the polyps can look more purple.

I did get one of these frags and david is spot on, under a blue plus and actinic it is greenish gold and the polyps look blue, then my aquasun? and other actinic come on and it is pink with hints of green, when the halide comes on it is full on Pink with purple tips. Very cool coral!

[yslexdia]

Just to throw my $0.02 in there...

Seriatopora seems to grow crazy fast for me...and I've had experience with 2-3 different types. From my experience, giving it more flow resulted in a more compact specimen....aside from the differences between the different types. This seems to be the fastest growing sps that I've had experience with. It seems like one of those animals that grows like crazy, as long as the chemistry is adequate.

I've also seen good and bad color out of the same specimen. I got some pink birds nest (that you guys donated) just like the one posted above. This specimen browned out extensively in my holding tank, but once I put it in the exhibit it colored up very nicely. This could be due to more light (different spectrums as well) or better water chemistry...or maybe even better flow. Tough to say because I changed so many factors at once.