Orange Branching Psammacora

[LovinlifeinGuam]

Hey all, was considering getting this orange Branching Psammacora for about $25 but don't have a lot of experience with SPS although I do have a mature system it would be going into. Just how difficult are they to maintain? Should I grab it at that price?? Heres the piece.

 

[ekandler]

There’s nothing special about keeping SPS. a bit more finicky with stability than others but if you have a mature system then give it a shot.

personally I’d not get too attached to your first few types of SPS, it’s likely not to go well initially until you get the hang of keeping them. Use a frag rack to acclimate it to higher light, and use light glue when you place it in case you need to move it to somewhere with better light/flow for SPS. After you’ve had a few SPS frags you’ll get a better feel for where is best on your aquascape for them.

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

There’s nothing special about keeping SPS. a bit more finicky with stability than others but if you have a mature system then give it a shot.

personally I’d not get too attached to your first few types of SPS, it’s likely not to go well initially until you get the hang of keeping them. Use a frag rack to acclimate it to higher light, and use light glue when you place it in case you need to move it to somewhere with better light/flow for SPS. After you’ve had a few SPS frags you’ll get a better feel for where is best on your aquascape for them.

I've had a couple montis that are growing well along with a cyphastrea for a while now but had an acro that never fully opened and eventually died along with a Monti Cap for some reason

 

[ekandler]

I've had a couple months that are growing well along with a cyphastrea for a while now but had an acro that never fully opened and eventually died along with a Monti Cap for some reason

Acros are the hardest for sure, so I wouldn’t grade your success based on that. Montis should he easier, and a cyphastrea doing well is a good sign. I’d keep trying, check ICP tests and make sure your trace elements are in line. Keep buying cheap monti caps, they’re usually $20 frags, and try them in different places to rule out flow and lighting issues.

 

[mdb_talon]

I don't see much branching psammacora in the hobby other than green. I would get it at that price if it were me lol.

 

[ekandler]

I don't see much branching psammacora in the hobby other than green. I would get it at that price if it were me lol.

Yeah agreed, definitely unique and it’s cheap.

 

[ReefMasta]

Very invasive, buy at your risk amid it taking over. If you can keep sps, that is

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

Very invasive, buy at your risk amid it taking over. If you can keep sps, that is

I've heard they're very slow growers though but regardless, i really like it so would like to give it a shot if that's a good price and they're not "acro hard"

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

Does it appear healthy in the picture?

 

[Tired]

Looks healthy enough to me. Polyps all nice and extended, good color. Go for it! The encrusting psammos are pretty un-fussy, though I've never tried a branching one.

 

[ReefMasta]

I've heard they're very slow growers though but regardless, i really like it so would like to give it a shot if that's a good price and they're not "acro hard"

Nope very fast growers

instead of relying on “hearsay” or the “ I heard” maybe do some actual research and decide for yourself

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

Nope very fast growers

instead of relying on “hearsay” or the “ I heard” maybe do some actual research and decide for yourself

Gathering opinions of others with first hand experience is a first step in research if the topic of research is a coral you just found a couple hours ago. Thank you for your opinion that they're fast growers. I'm kinda curious what you'd consider to be adequate "actual research" on this topic...are you suggesting that I go straight to the journals or just a few clicks on Google? It just seems like an online forum dedicated to the topic isn't a bad place to start.

 

[Tired]

IMO, asking other people "what have you seen with this coral?" is a form of research. Maybe not what you'd want for a scientific paper, but certainly works for aquarium-keeping purposes.

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

IMO, asking other people "what have you seen with this coral?" is a form of research. Maybe not what you'd want for a scientific paper, but certainly works for aquarium-keeping purposes.

That's what I think as well! And actually depending upon the type of scientific paper you might want opinions. An opinion survey is a type of observational study actually. Plus I'm going to be growing this coral in an aquarium as everyone probably imagined (not the ocean). Therefore I would actually value the opinions of those with firsthand aquarium experience growing this coral possibly more than the findings of a research paper that documented growth on the GBR for example due to the greatly differing conditions between the two environments.

 

[Alexopora]

IMO, asking other people "what have you seen with this coral?" is a form of research. Maybe not what you'd want for a scientific paper, but certainly works for aquarium-keeping purposes.

Agreed. Thats the whole point of this forum, sharing experiences and opinions.

When OP mentioned that they’ve heard that they are slow growers, they’re just inquiring further and double checking as they are hearing two different experiences regarding the growth rate of psammocora coral. That itself is research.

 

[Alexopora]

I've heard they're very slow growers though but regardless, i really like it so would like to give it a shot if that's a good price and they're not "acro hard"

In my tank, they dont grow as quickly as acros and montis. They are definitely slower growers than my Stylophoras and Pocilloporas which are just next to the psammocoras.

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

They also have these two smaller pieces for sale for $11 each...or the bigger one is $22...good deals? Which should I pick?

 

[Tired]

I like the base the larger frag is on, but it's up to you. Those smaller frags look to be a size that will grow fine, though of course they're going to take longer to get big than the other one.

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

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I like the base the larger frag is on, but it's up to you. Those smaller frags look to be a size that will grow fine, though of course they're going to take longer to get big than the other one.

E bigger one is a little more encrusted but looking at the polyps around the base does it appear as healthy?

 

[Tired]

Looks like new growth to me.