Ridiculous Question

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Well, as the title says, this seems, perhaps, like a bit of a ridiculous question. Maybe not. But does anyone have any pictures of SPS at the very beginning stages of new growth? Does it begin as a little bump or what?! See, I feel ridiculous even asking. But as my foray into SPS is only a month old (new?), I want to make sure that what I'm seeing is growth and not something more...sinister. :twised:

Edit: And by "SPS", I'm obviously referring to branching SPS, not the plating/encrusting forms.

[MikeP]

I'm pretty new to SPS as well but any bumps on the birdsnest frag I've got turned into branches.

[Pan]

http://www.kicbak.com/pictures/ListPictures.php?PHPSESSID=f01950f63a3e0a5cd7656ca 8f3d30007&nAlbumID=&nGroupID=7
http://www.kicbak.com/pictures/ListPictures.php?PHPSESSID=f01950f63a3e0a5cd7656ca 8f3d30007&nAlbumID=&nGroupID=5


There are a few other on there as well

RC thread with new growth pictures
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1210780

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1212219

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Thanks, guys. I guess a picture would be helpful. This is the frag I got from Greg (Snappy). Polyp extension seems pretty good all the time, and I honestly don't recall if these little bumps are new or were there the whole time. Bad bad reefer, I know.

http://xd7.xanga.com/7c8d842a78230149351982/m111120075.jpg

[BC564]

I have a few bumps on sps that grew into branches and into new stalks? from the base...so I beleive its normal

[mark]

Find branches start as a little bump the size of a polyp.

another link with pictures http://www.reefcorner.com/growth_sequences.htm

[michika]

I have the same birdsnest. Take a look in my tank journal for growth on it. It grows really well, its a fantastic piece.


**edit**
This is why I don't type and chat about corals at the same time....I ment digitata.

Here is the correct url: http://canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=32184&page=2 middle of the page is the purple digi.

[BC564]

I'll take a pic of mine and show you what I mean....it has about 10 bumps starting from the base....the base grew over the entire rock and is now branching....its pretty cool....I have no idea what it is though....lol

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Thanks for all the pics, links and tips, guys and gals! So from the photo, it looks to all of you like there's new growth, not some sort of ailment?

[michika]

Its definitely new growth! :D

[Delphinus]

Definitely future branches. Ailments are easy to identify ... the coral usually just recedes.

[fishytime]

Heres my birdsnest growth diary. This sequence represents about 5 months of growth.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP0490.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP0526.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP0552.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP0592.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP0637.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP0686.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP0927.jpg

[Snappy]

Drew,
it is new growth on that frag of montipora digitata and it was already starting when I sold it you. Looks great and very healthy. Good job. Great looking frag if I say so myself.:wink:

Doug,
great growth on that frag you got from me as well, if you place that particular birdsnest in a lower light area it will turn a cool green colour and looks awesome.:mrgreen:

[Snappy]

I'll take a pic of mine and show you what I mean....it has about 10 bumps starting from the base....the base grew over the entire rock and is now branching....its pretty cool....I have no idea what it is though....lol
Post a good clear picture and I'll see if I can ID it for you.

[bv_reefer]

wow that birdsnest looks so nice, i wanted to go for a smaller colony but it seems to grow at a pretty steady rate, think i'll just go for a frag, what kind of lighting do you keep it under?

[Der_Iron_Chef]

You guys are definitely right. New growth! One week comparison:

http://xd7.xanga.com/7c8d842a78230149351982/s111120075.jpghttp://x56.xanga.com/fb983634d5079150552030/s112157278.jpg

[michika]

That is great growth!
Are you going to keep taking photos of its growth?

[Der_Iron_Chef]

I hope to, Catherine. If I can remember to do it every week, that would be awesome!

[fishytime]

wow that birdsnest looks so nice, i wanted to go for a smaller colony but it seems to grow at a pretty steady rate, think i'll just go for a frag, what kind of lighting do you keep it under?

4x24w HOT5s

[bv_reefer]

ahh 4x24's..i guess i should be ok with my lighting then, wasn't sure if it was enough light for a birdsnest, i've heard that there one of the hardier sps, as are digitatas, is this true?

[Snappy]

That piece is colouring up nice for you Drew.:mrgreen:

[Der_Iron_Chef]

I agree, Greg! It's a great little piece. I'm thinking I might have to get some of the green digitata and maybe that monti samarensis as well :)

[Chaloupa]

Very nice frag! Excellent growth!

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Still seems to be doing well. :biggrin: I plan on taking a photo each week to track the growth, because I've never done it before with any of my other corals:

http://xd7.xanga.com/7c8d842a78230149351982/s111120075.jpghttp://x56.xanga.com/fb983634d5079150552030/s112157278.jpghttp://x60.xanga.com/f2ec144417633151993425/s113383332.jpg

[michika]

That looks really awesome!

How are you taking the photos? Do you have a tripod set up and marked out?