Birdsnest growing quick but not basing out

[Punchanello]

Hi everyone. Anybody know what causes this? Are there any tips you can give me to help with SPS that won't 'put down roots'?

I have a birdsnest that I got as a 1 inch frag which is now growing in every direction and 5 times the mass it was when I got it. Unfortunately it won't base out.

It's pretty annoying because it's now got a glob of super glue at the base that grows each time it get's knocked off the rock because I need to reglue it.

 

[Brad Miller]

Follwing....
Mine is the same way

 

[malacoda]

Bird's Nest corals--or Seriatopora--are known for not growing downward.

That doesn't mean some don't or won't. But often times that turns out to be the case.

Options include:

• rely on the glue/epoxy to hold it in place
• place piece of rubble rock against the side of base, perhaps it will encourage outward growth that then goes down the rock and eventually forms a new base
• simple let grow like a loose nest that simply rests on the sand or rock
• place somewhere where an outward growing branch will grow into, then hopefully onto, a piece of rock forming a horizontal 'base'

You may find a little more info in this Reefs magazine article.

 

[Brad Miller]

Good info Malacoda....I set mine in a frag rack hole hoping to let it get bigger.....now that I know this, I'll rest it like you suggested

 

[kevin_e]

My BN never based out. Always branched .

 

[Turtlesteve]

Agreed with the other comments - birds nest corals just don't encrust. The outward growing branches will bond to things they grow into. Can be a real pain if hair algae grows up through them as snails or tangs can't get to it.

Steve

 

[Punchanello]

Wow. Had no idea

 

[rossco]

When I took this spare colony in to the LFS to trade, it was still only attached to the small frag plug I originally put it on. Maybe the glue had been encrusted over, that's about it. Second picture is it in a 5 gallon bucket. It is square on the upper left edge, just like the sump wall. You can see the tips that had touched the side are starting to encrust out.

 

[Backreefing]

Mine are the same they show growth but don’t base out like acropora

 

[Backreefing]

I have seen a short video (YouTube) the guy suggested to glue a birdsnest frag flat on the rock or frag plug because in his opinion it attaches better . I have not tryied it , but if you have 1” peace it may be worth a shot.
Here is a pink birdsnest ( mine ) sideways at the bottom and bonded .

 

[McFly]

When I frag my birdsnest and start the colony over, I lay the frag horizontally on the rock so it creates a better base. It takes a little longer to start growing, but is much more secure.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Mine is growing out in all directions, but mostly horizontally: