Monti. cap. encrusting/growing down

Help me understand why this is. I would much prefer if they plated more and or formed vases.

Flow?

 

Flow plays apart, but when SPS grows down (At the LFS we call it weeping willow birdsnest.) it's usually from too high light. (atleast with birdsnest.)

Edit: there are two kinds of Montipora capricornus that i know of, one plates and the other scrolls. Plus my acropora frags tend to encrust more in higher light, compared to the same species of frags that branched more in lower light.

 

The downward growth is most likely from flow coming up from below where the monti is at.

 

Interesting. I have 55 Bridgelux over my 20 tall and 50% output. Definitely a possibility. I have a birdsnest, but it is branching. It is a little pale on the underside and towards the tips (some pink too), but the center has a lot of color.

 

Right now I have my power-heads on the back left and right corners facing in towards the front center and slightly down. It may be causing a sort of up flow.

 

I have a red monti that started growing down when I changed my lights from T5 to LED. It also lost its color. Now that I am back to my T5 lights, the color is back and it is now starting to plate nicely. So I am going to say too much light.

 

I guess I'll turn 'em down a bit more. Maybe adjust my flow a bit if anyone has any suggestions on that.

 

Montipora capricornis gets misidentified more than any other Montipora. There are many other species of Montipora that plate upward. And many others that can scroll or plate downward. Chances are isn't not capricornis. Refer to the description to the link here.
Corals of the World Factsheet and images - Montipora capricornis

 

Is that 55 3watt LEDs over a 20g? If so, that's a LOT. I have 56 leds over a 58 and have to keep them turned down. I've found that monti's like med light.

 

Nice link! The montis were plating when I bought them. Now they are encrusting/growing down.