How do I get these kinds of polyp extensions?

[nelsonmarine]

My bird's nest has a good color, but the extensions are not this great. Does anyone have any suggestions?

http://vimeo.com/23079324

[Thle009]

Is it directly in the line of your flow?

[nelsonmarine]

Is it directly in the line of your flow?

It is. Should I move it away from the line of flow?

[Thle009]

Try that, it should solve your problem.

[David Grigor]

First off, polyp extention ( while the main lights are on ) is not necessarily a sign of health. Lots of variables can be at play, under intense lighting the polyps may not extend, too much flow, pests ( such as the little red bugs ) and/or fish picking, also the nutrient level in the water column as well. If your running a very low nutrient tank, there are some zeovit additives that are supposed to help with polyps extention ( I have no experience with them ) but I wouldn't worry about it unless your running very low nutrient levels ( such as zeovit or aggressive amounts of carbon based dosing ).

[Thle009]

Sorry, I didn't have a chance to check out the video first. From what I saw in the video it should be OK. How much polyp extension did you expect?

[nelsonmarine]

Oh, the video isn't mine. I want what the video has.

[Thle009]

Try moving it away from the flow then. Mine extend like one in the video and it sits away from the flow.

[Adam G]

Have a beautiful Pink Birds Nest I got as a frag from 90ct. It has tripled in size in a few months and has polyp extension like the one in the vid. Now the size of a tennis ball.

High flow is definately a factor as said above. Too much flow and the polyps just get whipped around too much. They do not come out to avoid damage in the high flow.

I have had different birds nests over the years and they are very hardy and fast growers. They are also very tolerant to different light levels.

Hope moving him to a reduced flow area gives you the polyp extension that you are looking for.

[nelsonmarine]

Have a beautiful Pink Birds Nest I got as a frag from 90ct. It has tripled in size in a few months and has polyp extension like the one in the vid. Now the size of a tennis ball.

High flow is definately a factor as said above. Too much flow and the polyps just get whipped around too much. They do not come out to avoid damage in the high flow.

I have had different birds nests over the years and they are very hardy and fast growers. They are also very tolerant to different light levels.

Hope moving him to a reduced flow area gives you the polyp extension that you are looking for.

I guess these SPS are an exception when it comes to moderate-high flow, cus my monti's love the high flow.

[Thle009]

Not sure, but perhaps monti is plate and bird nest are more skinny skeleton with polyps. So one can withstand flow better than the other. I would be my guess.

[CAGaHTN]

I get some good polyp extension in high flow, but its also monti.
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o195/CAGaHTN/Fish%20Tank/DSCN1482.jpg