Scroll Coral Question!

[legendary]

So my wife got me a scroll coral as a valentine's day gift (much better than chocolate!!!) and while I was looking into them on the internet, I saw many of them cup and others actually look like a scroll. So my question is, what makes it scroll instead of cup? I like the cupping ones, but I think the ones that actually scroll look awesome. Can I make mine scroll instead of cup?

Thanks!

 

[millerman19]

if by scroll coral you mean montipora i can give some advice.. i recently purchased a small frag in the summer and from what ive experienced it will cup and grow out if it is getting enough light but will grow up and scroll if it is not getting enough light. i would put it a little lower in my tank if i want it to scroll if i were you. mine is currently cupping and it is placed a little above the middle part of my tank. i run 4 t5 ati bulbs.

 

[legendary]

No I am not talking about monti. the latin name for this coral is Turbinaria reniformis I believe. Searching it on LA it comes up as "cup coral" with an alternate name as "scroll coral". It could be the same case though for this coral as it is for your monti.

 

[shred5]

I am the opposite, I like it to scroll.. You want it like the one in my tank I am guessing..

Two things can help, lower light will make it spread out more. also mounting it flat vs its edge can help too..

 

[legendary]

No I am right there with you! I like the cup, but I absolutely love the scroll. I really, really want it to scroll. I guess my question for this whole thread is "how do I get my Turbinaria to scroll instead of cup?"

 

[vlangel]

No I am not talking about monti. the latin name for this coral is Turbinaria reniformis I believe. Searching it on LA it comes up as "cup coral" with an alternate name as "scroll coral". It could be the same case though for this coral as it is for your monti.

I also have a turbinaria of some type. According to Eric Borneman in his book, "Aquarium Corals, selection, husbandry and natural history" the placement, and flow can influence the type of growth. He didn't specify with your type but he said, "Colonies from areas of high water movement are usually twisted and convoluted". He also said it is important to baste them regularly to keep detritus off them to prevent tissue recession. They are a good water quality monitor and using their polyp extension to gauge the overall health of your tank. Enjoy your new valentines gift!

 

[legendary]

Thanks vlangel, I got this and a bright red setosa as well! So, if I want it to scroll... I need to not place it flat? and put it in high flow? and moderate to high lighting as well? Please correct me if I am wrong in any way!

 

[vlangel]

Thanks vlangel, I got this and a bright red setosa as well! So, if I want it to scroll... I need to not place it flat? and put it in high flow? and moderate to high lighting as well? Please correct me if I am wrong in any way!

Well, Eric discussed 5 different types of turbinaria and it was hard for me to pinpoint exactly what lighting and water flow conditions your species would like. As a generalization I would deduce that higher light, higher flow might help it scroll and laying it flat, polyps facing up. However he did say they come from a wide variety of environmental conditions and if yours doesn't seem to like that I wouldn't force that upon it. Mine receded a lot before I found a spot it seemed to like. Mine is very high in my tank right under the spill of my HOB skimmer.

 

[shred5]

No I am right there with you! I like the cup, but I absolutely love the scroll. I really, really want it to scroll. I guess my question for this whole thread is "how do I get my Turbinaria to scroll instead of cup?"

Oops I read it wrong.. Then do the opposite of what I said.