Quick sps question

[slate55]

Hoping for a little help so I figured I would ask the question here I've noticed over the past few months for my SPS corals for the most part have been growing well but seeing kind of stubby and I have a friend that has the same colonies and the branches grow kind of skinny and nice and long I have reefbreeders leds and he has mh lights
I'm thinking that I may have the LEDs cranked up to high most the corals are fairly high in the tank and the lights run mostly at 100% with the exception of the ramp up ramp down feature have any of you guys had experience like this?

 

[Wazzel]

Generally SPS will grow thicker the higher the flow. Not a light issue.

 

[b7fig]

Generally it is a flow issue, but having spent a lot of time in the LED forums, there have been several people say the same thing. However, I didnt experience that myself when I ran LED's.

 

[Houndsbayman]

So many variables come into play when trying to compare SPS growth in 2 different systems, but I agree with both replies about flow being a factor.

 

[slate55]

Hm so should I lower the mp40's or embrace the thicker corals?

 

[Wazzel]

Thin SPS are more likely to brake than thick. High flow is better for the overall heath of an SPS reef tank. Embrace the thick corals.

 

[Rowdie]

Thin SPS are more likely to brake than thick. High flow is better for the overall heath of an SPS reef tank. Embrace the thick corals.

+1.

Agree that it is a result of flow. I personally love the look of thick coral colonies and it's what they look like in nature. Long skinny corals look malnourished to me.

 

[b7fig]

My 8" Imperator angelfish has a permanent scar of his forehead from constantly running into my corals and breaking them off, so I'm a fan of thick corals. He is constantly fragging for me!

 

[Eastone]

thin branches imply that the flow is too low, the coral spreads out to ease the passing of water through it's branches, in a higher flow setting corals produce dense thick branches.

 

[Reef Bass]

+1 for good flow and thick branches.

 

[AdamNC]

In my tank I have 2 green birdsnests, same type and color. One on the left of the tank and one on the right. The one on the left is in more direct flow of the powerhead and the other is slightly off set. What I've noticed is the one closer to the power head has thicker more full branches whereas the the one more offset to the powerhead has much thinner branches. Can't be the light as they are both almost directly under an LED cluster. The one closer to the powerhead also seems more colorful.

 

[slate55]

In my tank The one closer to the powerhead also seems more colorful.

nice ! Thanks everyone for your input . !!