Birds nest coral

OCEANARIUM
Marine aquarium supplies.

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Birds nest coral Seriatopora hystrix

The birds nest coral is defined in the hobby as a SPS (small polyp stony) coral. Its one of the fastest growing stony corals we have encountered.

Aquarium care.
The aquarium should be set up specifically to supply sps corals needs.

Light. Lighting is very important for good growth and showing the coral at its best colouration, the brighter the lights the more colourful the coral is displayed. Multiple HO T5 tubes can work well to around 40-45cm in depth from there 250 - 400 watt metal halides would be a better option.
Calcium and Carbonates. Calcium referring to the dissolved levels of calcium in PPM should be 380-450. Alkalinity (carbonate hardness) refers to the compounds that together raise the PH of the aquarium water it is commonly measured in DKH or in meq/L The recommended range being 8-13 DKH or 2.8-4.5meq/L. Both calcium and alkalinity are closely linked and should be adjusted in a balanced way or you will have difficulty in getting both within the acceptable range. Don’t presume by elevating calcium (resulting in lower alkalinity) corals will grow at a faster rate both alkalinity and calcium are required in a balanced level for effective calcification. Maintaining Magnesium at 1300ppm helps balance the chemistry.
Stable temperature. temperature should be maintained ideally at 25-26C stability of the temp is important to you don't want the tank getting hot on summer days this can help induce RTN (Rapid tissue necrosis) Where an infection can spread across the coral (Usually from the base upwards) within 24-48 hours.
Low nutrients. Both organic and inorganic nutrients should be at low levels to maintain good colouration and stable water chemistry. High levels of organics are likely to result in the browning off of the coral and again lead to RTN. Use of activated carbon to reduce DOC (dissolved organic compounds), use of a DSB (deep sand bed) to lower nitrates, use of Ferric hydroxide or aluminum hydroxide to remove phosphates and installing an efficient protein skimmer are all highly recommended strategies.
Vigorous water flow. Good water flow with eddies and surge create a healthy oxygenated environment. Preventing sediments and algae's depositing on the coral. Older corals become more susceptible to RTN around the base without oxygenated water flowing throughout the branches.

If you do encounter RTN the most prudent course of action is to cut the healthy tissue away from the infection. Make the cut within the healthy tissue leaving no infection on the remaining coral. Check water parameters usually there is a cause some times the infection can be started by water quality other times, a coral sting or a bit of fish food or poo lodging in the corals branches. In a healthy aquarium the infection should remain in check to the local region on the coral.

Propagation.
In time your bird nest coral does become large, this causes restrictions to the flow around the base and the amount of light the animal receives resulting in a die off at the base. It is desirable to re start the colony from time to time to keep your aquarium looking at its best.

Propagation of new colonies is easily achieved by asexual divisions. You need only start with a small piece of coral, we typically start our own colonies with a 1 cm length of coral. Finding in the longer term this will encrust better to the base forming a robust colony difficult to dislodge. Start by cutting several small lengths near the tip of the colony this will grow faster than tissue taken from the base. its best to make a few cuttings as fresh cut tissue can be susceptible to infection. Bone cutters are the best tool to cut the coral with, be prepared though thin the skeleton of the coral is quite hard and able to fly across the room as you cut it. Cup your hand over a towel soaked in sea water so it bounces of your hand to the towel. The thin branches of the cuttings can dry out quickly so store them in a bowl of sea water till your ready to glue them. Glue them to the new base with super glue gel add a small drop of glue to the base and wait a few seconds for the glue to start to go off. Once the glue is tacky stand the coral fragment with the cut edge pushed into the drop of glue. Some times you may need to prop the frag till the glue sets. Leave the frag sit out of water till the glue hardens, about five minutes. The new colony will need to be kept in a place where it does not get bumped by curios fishes, snails etc for a few weeks till it encrusts to form a strong bond with the new base.