First SPS colony advice

[KEEVlllNN]

Hi all, I have a mixed reef and decided to try an easy SPS. I picked up this unhealthy looking birds nest colony for $75 thinking I can at least frag off the tips if this colony is dying. The tips are bright but the middle polyps are brownish. I already trimmed off the completely bleached branches. What do you guys think, should I frag the tips off or does it look okay? Its only been in my DT for an hour

 

[Saltyreef]

Hi all, I have a mixed reef and decided to try an easy SPS. I picked up this unhealthy looking birds nest colony for $75 thinking I can at least frag off the tips if this colony is dying. The tips are bright but the middle polyps are brownish. I already trimmed off the completely bleached branches. What do you guys think, should I frag the tips off or does it look okay? Its only been in my DT for an hour

Dont be surprised if it continues. Necrosis is a PITA to correct and even after fragging the viable branches sometimes just keeps going.
Birdsnest is a very common but sensitive sps for a beginner.

I would advise to find a healthy and encrusted frag of something like walt disney or cherry bomb (hardiest pieces of sps i owned)

Edit: didnt watch the video but the below comment is correct, you will see the skin and polyps still but no color in certain parts that dont recieve light in branching colonies like this and its normal with the type of lights most reefers use.

 

[NoohpyT]

looks good to me, the parts that don't get light will always be washed out or have no color

 

[KEEVlllNN]

This doesn't look like necrosis does it? The shop owner also told me its normal looking I'm just making sure they weren't just saying that to sell me lol

 

[KEEVlllNN]

Dont be surprised if it continues. Necrosis is a PITA to correct and even after fragging the viable branches sometimes just keeps going.
Birdsnest is a very common but sensitive sps for a beginner.

I would advise to find a healthy and encrusted frag of something like walt disney or cherry bomb (hardiest pieces of sps i owned)

Edit: didnt watch the video but the below comment is correct, you will see the skin and polyps still but no color in certain parts that dont recieve light in branching colonies like this and its normal with the type of lights most reefers use.

are you referring to the acros? I thought they would be more difficult to keep. Thanks

 

[Saltyreef]

This doesn't look like necrosis does it? The shop owner also told me its normal looking I'm just making sure they weren't just saying that to sell me lol

See my edit. I cant see the file

 

[Saltyreef]

are you referring to the acros? I thought they would be more difficult to keep. Thanks

Depends on the acro. Birdsnest has always been the most sensitive sps in my tank fwiw.
I believe it rings true for the most seasoned sps guys too. Ive read lots of threads where the birdsnest was the first to go.

 

[Troylee]

Depends on the acro. Birdsnest has always been the most sensitive sps in my tank fwiw.
I believe it rings true for the most seasoned sps guys too. Ive read lots of threads where the birdsnest was the first to go.

I can keep any stick but the nests hate me lol..

 

[alecj]

to me looks okay give it time, colony's have a hard time adjusting to new tanks.

 

[Bonsai reef]

I have had success with acros but birdsnest gave me hard time even with minor alk swings. Some would say its a beginner’s sps but its not IMO. It can grow fast in the right conditions though.

I would wait and watch before fragging.

 

[Gtinnel]

Wow I have had the exact opposite experience. My birdsnest grows out of control and nothing affects it. I wish I wouldn’t have added it to my tank because of how hard it is for me to get rid of. About a year ago I threw this piece away and I have more in my tank again.

Anywhere on the rock the coral touches starts growing a new coral even with me breaking it off and trying to remove every little piece.

@KEEVlllNN I wouldn’t go cutting it up just yet. For being just added to the tank it doesn’t look bad. Give it a little time and then if you start to see necrosis maybe break a tip off to start a new frag.

 

[Spare time]

Depends on the acro. Birdsnest has always been the most sensitive sps in my tank fwiw.
I believe it rings true for the most seasoned sps guys too. Ive read lots of threads where the birdsnest was the first to go.

Yeah I have no clue why people think its beginner friendly. They are brittle and sensitive.

 

[Dburr1014]

100% was the last one I got to actually start growing in my tank. I tried several times and finally got one to start growing 6 months ago in my 9 yo reef.

Polyps are brown where the sun don't shine.
I would never buy an unhealthy frag or colony unless it was like $5. IME

 

[MoshJosh]

In the pictures it looks pretty good/looks like it's doing fine to me. Maybe some bleaching/dying in the base. Could try to cut just above the dead part. . . or just leave it. My guess is that, with good water and appropriate light and flow, it will be just fine.

 

[Saltyreef]

Wow I have had the exact opposite experience. My birdsnest grows out of control and nothing affects it. I wish I wouldn’t have added it to my tank because of how hard it is for me to get rid of. About a year ago I threw this piece away and I have more in my tank again.

Anywhere on the rock the coral touches starts growing a new coral even with me breaking it off and trying to remove every little piece.

@KEEVlllNN I wouldn’t go cutting it up just yet. For being just added to the tank it doesn’t look bad. Give it a little time and then if you start to see necrosis maybe break a tip off to start a new frag.

I'd love to get my hands on a piece of that strain!
I might hit you up when i start up my cadilliac

 

[KEEVlllNN]

Thanks for your input i'll leave it alone. the polyps are extending more