Ponape birdsnest

[reefmadness]

I am getting a frag of the tyree ponape birdsnest and am wondering what would be the optimal placement for it in my tank. I have a 40 breeder, with a 4 bulb t5 fixture. I was thinking about mounting it on one of my base rocks, but want to make sure that it gets enough light and flow. Does this coral do better in lower or higher light? Thanks for your guys' help.

 

[dknuckles]

The yellow and nice tips only comes out in high light.
Lower light and it will be green

 

[KoleTang]

Mid/Top Probably. If it is not happy in 3-ish weeks then adjust from there.

 

[reefmadness]

Okay, thanks guys. I have a frag of the hystrix birdnest, the dark pink with purple polyps placed about 3/4 of the way down in my tank and it seems to get the best color at that placement, when I had it higher up in the tank, the purple of the polyps was washed out. I like the look of the green on the ponape, so I will start it low, see how it goes, and if I'm not happy with the color I will move it up. Does anyone have pictures of their ponanpe in their tanks?

 

[mcarroll]

There are lots of opinions and maybe multiple "acclimation strains" of this coral out there by now (S. hystrix is weird like that) but why not start with advice "from the horse's mouth"? Steve Tyree's page for the coral.

My personal experience is that it's a very pale coral when grown in high light. I would go with Steve's experience of growing it lower in the tank or in lower light scenarios to maximize color. Apparently it's not a flow-crazy coral either.

Good luck!
-Matt

P.S. Send us a pic when you get one planted! :-)