So whats going on here?

[Cubeman]

I've been keeping only sps tanks for 3 years and have yet to have any "success" with pocillipora so I was quite amazed to read in this thread that people are finding them so easy. Any that I bought grew very little and usually got crowded out by neighbouring corals that grew like weeds in comparison. I don't even bother trying with them anymore. Goes back to the addage about what works for one doesn't mean it'll work for another.

I think birdsnest is an easy coral to keep and grows rapidly but only once the tank is mature and wouldn't suggest it for a new setup. I'm a +1 on the monti caps and digi's however. They were good sps starters for me (but your experience may vary! ).