Forest fire digitata question

[Charlie G]

Hi all,

I have a question about my forest fire digitata. I received him 1 year ago (12/2024). I actually thought it didn’t survive as my tank was overrun with gha and in my 32 g biocube I just didn’t have success with sps. Earlier in 2025 I realized that it was still alive. I placed more rock in my tank to elevate it as I thought I didn’t have enough lighting for it or too far from the light. I have the standard BIOCUBE LED lights plus 2 actinic blue lights for 21USA LED.

I haven’t seen any growth on it since I got it.
However I’m starting to see ‘some budding’. Not sure if this is a sigh of growth or vermatid snails as my take also have numerous cremated snails.

I will post a couple of pics I took today.

My parameters as of 1/2/2026 are:
Salinity 1.026
Nitrite 12.7
Phos 0.09
Alk 9.5
Calcium 375 (I dosed to bring up to 420).

Any thoughts? Is it starting to grow? Is that what growth looks like? Or vermatid snails found a way on it.

Thanks in advance for any information.

 

[rayadog]

I’m sorry you didn’t see any growth in that year! Such hope lol. They look like vermetids for sure. I feel like you can see their little operculum opening cover. It’s still relatively healthy and alive though!

 

[Charlie G]

Thank you for your response rayadog.
Most of the buds seems like vermatid but wasn’t sure about the part circled in this pic I am attaching.

 

[bradreef]

I also think growth and vermited

 

[Rusty_L_Shackleford]

The circled parts are new growth.

 

[X-37B]

Vermatid is on the bottom. Top new growth.
They like high light for rapid growth.
I would use a toothbrush on the darkened area. Looks like algae growth.
Your system could use more par most likely.

 

[Charlie G]

Great. Thank you all.
Yes. I am limited on PAR as I still use the conventional hood. Plus the 2 LED 21USA bars.

Great to hear there is some new growth.

I wasn’t sure if would injur the coral if I brai the side that has algae. If it’s ok to I will.

 

[Charlie G]

*edit:

I meant to write wasn’t sure if it would injure the coral if I brush the side that has algae on it. If that’s ok I will try that.

 

[X-37B]

Use a soft tooth brush and it will remove the algae and won't hurt the coral.

 

[Charlie G]

Awesome.

Thanks.

I appreciate everyone providing advice.

Thanks you.