What factors affect sps growth patterns?

[eyesinthedrk]

It is a birds nest in my tank that inspires this question. Where every BN I've seen had long spiky branches, similar to a thorny bramble, this one doesn't. The tips are rounded and it seams like it can't grow more than a few millimeters before splitting a new branch

Genetics aside, I know they will grow towards light. But are their other factors that could be keeping this birds nest from looking like a birds nest?

 

[MarcWeaver]

Do you have a green birdsnest? They grow just like you described. I have heard that water flow strength can also affect growth patterns.

 

[RKLion]

Flow does affect growth patterns certainly. More flow stimulates thicker branches, lighter flow will make the branches more fragile.

 

[ProfessorChaos]

Sure it's not a pocci?

 

[rovster]

Birdsnest in my tank grow in a super tight ball. So tight, the bottom branches get shaded and die. They are getting crazy flow.

 

[Finland]

I would have to say, ime, that flow is a big factor in growth patterns. I have two birdsnest in my tank, one in a high flow area and the other in a low flow area. The b-nest in the low flow area has longer, more spread out branches, while the high flow b-nest has a lot tighter growth pattern. Both are large b.nest growing in similar lighting. The only difference is the flow. Both were frags from the same coral.

 

[Dapg8gt]

Flow and species.. Some are "spikey" like my birds of paradise and pink.. Then some are rounded bushes like my Ora green and orange bodied..

Flow has a lot to do with sps in general as described in the other posts above..

 

[eyesinthedrk]

thanks for the input guys. so what im gathering is water physics has more to do with growth patern than chemistry.

 

[Fishypapa]

thanks for the input guys. so what im gathering is water physics has more to do with growth patern than chemistry.

Well, SPSs are not fond of "dirty" water. ie higher nitrate and phosphate levels.