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Birdsnest coral growth? (1 Viewer)

mrbill

mrbill

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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?


newbirdsnest.jpg
 
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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.
 
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i got dibs on a frag! i like the pink birdsnest, but dont have one of my own yet.
 
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.
 
Thank you, I'll correct that. In my experience the more light the pinker they become.
 
NandKBlock said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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......
 
picture.php


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.
 
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:
 
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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.
 
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.
 
mrbill said:
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?
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
NandKBlock said:
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.
Click to expand...

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:
 
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