Is my birdsnest ok?

[Charlie G]

Hi,

Wondering if anyone can help advise me. I received an ORA BIrd of paradise birdsnest from TSA on December 12. After dipping it and keeping it low in my 32 gallon Biocube I eventually placed it at mid level on my aquascape to the right of my aquarium. Initially the polyp extension seemed full and uniform throughout the coral (see first pic). Over time it seemed the polyp extension decreased and was less dense along the main branches and dense along the tips. I was worried that maybe it wasn’t getting enough light so I moved it higher in my aquascape. The second pic is what it currently looks like.

I do not have much experience with sps. Can you please let me know if it still looks healthy or is it deteriorating? Anything I can do.

My DT is a 32 gallon Biocube with stock lights and 2 USA LED21 actinic blues.

My parameters (on 2/18/2025) was:
Salinity 1.026
Nitrate 6.9
Phos 0.06
Alk 8.6
Ca 380
Mg 1410

Thank you.

 

[*GAREEF*]

Hi,

Wondering if anyone can help advise me. I received an ORA BIrd of paradise birdsnest from TSA on December 12. After dipping it and keeping it low in my 32 gallon Biocube I eventually placed it at mid level on my aquascape to the right of my aquarium. Initially the polyp extension seemed full and uniform throughout the coral (see first pic). Over time it seemed the polyp extension decreased and was less dense along the main branches and dense along the tips. I was worried that maybe it wasn’t getting enough light so I moved it higher in my aquascape. The second pic is what it currently looks like.

I do not have much experience with sps. Can you please let me know if it still looks healthy or is it deteriorating? Anything I can do.

My DT is a 32 gallon Biocube with stock lights and 2 USA LED21 actinic blues.

My parameters (on 2/18/2025) was:
Salinity 1.026
Nitrate 6.9
Phos 0.06
Alk 8.6
Ca 380
Mg 1410

Thank you.

It looks fine to me.
Maybe use a par meter to check oar and move it closer to the Light.

 

[Tahoe61]

There are other sps next to it, how are they doing?

 

[Charlie G]

Thank you.

To the left of the birdsnest I have a Green stylophora which I received in the same shipment (December 12). It has been in that location after a week or so of keeping it lower on a drag rack. The poly extension pretty much hasn’t changed. I did also have a Purple stylophora to the left of the green stylophora but that didn’t make it. I think that STN’d. Lost its polyps over time.

To the right of the birsdnest is a Jake Adams immortal tort which I received Jan. 30. I had that on a deaf rack and just put it into recurrent spot 1 week ago.

 

[Charlie G]

Thank you.

To the left of the birdsnest I have a Green stylophora which I received in the same shipment (December 12). It has been in that location after a week or so of keeping it lower on a drag rack. The poly extension pretty much hasn’t changed. I did also have a Purple stylophora to the left of the green stylophora but that didn’t make it. I think that STN’d. Lost its polyps over time.

To the right of the birsdnest is a Jake Adams immortal tort which I received Jan. 30. I had that on a deaf rack and just put it into recurrent spot 1 week

 

[Tahoe61]

Thank you for the response.

Than I would be tempted to move the coral again. If that's the polyp extension you're seeing consistently I am not optimistic.
Quite honestly Birdsnest is not the easiest coral to introduce. Once acclimated it can grow like a weed.
I am not familiar with the stock lighting, but if other sps are doing fine I don't think it's the lighting.

 

[Charlie G]

Thank you for the response.

Than I would be tempted to move the coral again. If that's the polyp extension you're seeing consistently I am not optimistic.
Quite honestly Birdsnest is not the easiest coral to introduce. Once acclimated it can grow like a weed.
I am not familiar with the stock lighting, but if other sps are doing fine I don't think it's the lighting.

If not the lighting could the flow be too strong causing the polyps to not extend like my first pic?

 

[Tahoe61]

If all other corals are doing fine in that area don't change the flow move the coral to a lower flow area.

:)

 

[Charlie G]

Thank you for the response.

Than I would be tempted to move the coral again. If that's the polyp extension you're seeing consistently I am not optimistic.
Quite honestly Birdsnest is not the easiest coral to introduce. Once acclimated it can grow like a weed.
I am not familiar with the stock lighting, but if other sps are doing fine I don't think it's the lighting.

If all other corals are doing fine in that area don't change the flow move the coral to a lower flow area.

:)

Yeah.
I think they are doing fine. I haven’t seen any growth yet but I have had them only for about 2 months.

 

[Charlie G]

Hi all

Just updating. I moved my birdsnest to another location on February 21st and it seemed to be doing better. More polyp extension. Not like when I first got it but better than it was doing.

But now it seems like the polyps are receding. Same for my green stylophora.

I’m posting pics of the birdsnest with improved poly extended soon in the new location and pics of it now along with the stylophora.

Any ideas of what’s going on and any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Faurek]

Seriatopora needs a lot of movement, also ime they don't take bottomed nutrients well or alk spikes. What are your nutrients now? I would personally lower the alk and get more nutrients. Can't figure if poor color is water or light.

 

[Faurek]

I searched your light and the claim on their website is complete Madness. No way you can have enough light with 2 of those, SMD LED's without angled lenses 20 par at the bottom would be great result. I believe you have a combination of low light and low flow, since its a slow waste away.
First thing should be flow and lights next.

 

[Charlie G]

hi.
Sorry for that late response as I am away this week.
I will attach my parameters as of 3/2/2025. See attachment.
In the beginning of this thread I have parameters as of 2/18/2025.

As for flow I actually shut down one of my two Hygger wavemakers as I thought there was too much flow ‘blowing off’ the polyps. I understand SPs needs strong flow but as this is a 32 g Biocube I thought maybe too small for both pumps working same time.

For the lights short of removing the hood and placing a new light I am limited to the stock LEDs from the Biocube + the 2 actinic blue 21USA LEDs.

@Lubeck’s 32 gal SPS (mostly) build
Has the same setup and has been growing SPs amazingly.

I appreciate any suggestions. Thank you

 

[Charlie G]

Not sure if the parameters from 3/2/2025 came through. I’ll redo below.

SG 1.026
Nitrate 7
Phos 0.10
Alk 8.6
Ca 390

 

[Faurek]

You should raise calcium, but I don't think that is a problem rn.
Parameters seem ok.
My possibilities are contaminants, do you have carbon running? Low light making them waste away or just instability.
I would be really careful with contaminants since they can wipe out your whole tank.

 

[Charlie G]

Thanks for your response.

I did put some carbon in for a week on 3/2.

I should have stated when I measure ca to be 390 I did dose (I use 2 part dosing and dose manually).

My lps, Goniopora; Cyphastrea and lepto seem to be doing well.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

My seriatopora really puff out under higher lighting + higher flow.

One thing I will mention is that bnests do sometimes just pull in their polyps.

If it's growing, which it seems to be, I wouldn't worry too much. Hermits love to walk on these and tick them off too.

 

[Charlie G]

I don’t think there has been any growth.
I think my seriatopora and even my digitata had been receding .
Not sure what it looks like now. Once I get back home I will update.

I do appreciate the info. Thanks.

 

[Charlie G]

I meant to say my stylophora and my digitata.