Do you agree that this coral is good for the upcomming 6 month GOC?

[CA2OR]

So the coral that we are considering using for the next GOC which will be a 6 month is a Ponape Birdsnest. It is a fairly easy SPS to keep and the requirements to keep it are very low....I believe everyone should be able to keep it. But what do you guys think? I am thinking everyone would start with 1 inch frags and the entry fee's might go up a bit....depends on how many join or how large of a colony I am shooting for. I just figured this would be cheaper than a colony of milli capable of producing between 30 and 50 or so 1 inch frags is going to be quite spendy. I wanted to start this early to find out so we can make a decision in advance to not be rushed to start the next GOC.

[andy]

What did you decide as far as the judging criteria? Birdsnests grow & branch quickly and the "density" of the colony is heavily influenced by flow; in 6 months you'll have a few baseball-sized colonies (at least) of varying densities to choose between. Judging by sight could be a nightmare.

[CA2OR]

We are thinking of having 3 catagories.....overall growth (largest frag), best color, and nicest piece....but we are open to suggestions. I am thinking the last 2 will be vote based

[reef165]

Sounds great!! I'm in.

[reefnjunkie]

I could be down with that- I traded my Tyree Ponape to Tim at Westside last week-just not a fan of BN period, I've had 3 different types and have gotten rid of all of them-(laugh)
But hey you asked-(whistle)

Have yet to vote

[defigart]

I'm in. (depending ok buy in cost)

[CA2OR]

I also found an equally sized green with blue polyp BN

[Hoss]

I'd be Ok with ponape birdsnest though I would prefer an lps. Would it be possible to judge the contest by number of growth tips, multiplied by the diameter? If we did it that way, a colony with a 5 inch diameter, and 10 growth tips would get an overall score of 50, but so would a colony with a 10 inch diameter and only 5 growth tips. Just a thought.

[sharoleb]

I've never done any SPS - I don't think I have the lights for them until the 75g is set up (it's soooo close!) My compact florecents may have me sitting this one out.

[Bitricker]

I'm interested... my tank could use some blue/green

[Algae]

You may likely be able to grow BN with CF if you move it up.

I've never done any SPS - I don't think I have the lights for them until the 75g is set up (it's soooo close!) My compact florecents may have me sitting this one out.

[Mr S]

My class is in!!!

[moovinfast]

Im in depending on the entry fee

[jgf86123]

I'm in depending on the start date and entry fee

[Chief]

Count me in. I could use a good birdnest.

Jay

[reefnjunkie]

We are thinking of having 3 catagories.....overall growth (largest frag), best color, and nicest piece....but we are open to suggestions. I am thinking the last 2 will be vote based

Can someone let me in on the "color enhancing" methods that I have seen in the past?-http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/images/ragsmilies/lol.gif
http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/images/smilies/other_beatingA_DeadHorse.gif



On a serious note, I dont think judging on something that can be altered so easily is a good idea-just my opinion, which I suppose I should keep to myself, since I will most likely not be taking part.

But I cant-:D

Someone needs to say it, because it can happen.
Even if someone does not doctor it, it really limits those who cant take good pics, or have the equipment to do so.
I realize it is not in stone but regardless of the GO piece, judging on purely a visual aspect as one parameter might not be best

[stylaster]

the secret in color is in the alk ;)

[CA2OR]

All the concerns listed above is why we are trying a Birdsnest first before moving into higher ended SPS and LPS.

[gwalkerss]

I'd like to be in, let me know when and the cost!

[CA2OR]

I am trying to keep the entries about the same....they might have to go up $10 or so but I am trying to avoid that.

[snowpunk]

I am trying to keep the entries about the same....they might have to go up $10 or so but I am trying to avoid that.

In all reality they will almost have to go up if we use a high end coral as we are thinking. As we have done thus far though, we will try to make it so your entry fee is priced at or below what you would expect to pay for just the frag in a store somewhere. That way if you win nothing you still came out with a frag for a good price. Anything won after that is just a bonus, and you get to correspond periodically with us:p(or is that a punishment(nutty))

[MadReefer]

If judged, camera skills might make the diff,,, Is that something that we want?

[CA2OR]

Well I just saw the Ponape and WOW....I like it....should we start some sign up's?

[jgf86123]

Crap, I was hoping this would hold off for a couple more weeks at least LOL. Unless my new tank is up and running by the time the comp starts, I'm gonna have to back out. But, if the tank is up, I'm in lol if that makes any sense, so, sign me up, tentatively, for now.

Whats the price looking like?

[CA2OR]

oh...we wont be sending out the actual competition pieces for a while....I am sure you have time. I think the next comp starts March 1st.

We are waiting for a quote for the colony...but the entries might get as high as $20 for members and $30 for non....no higher though.

[jgf86123]

thats a fair price, and march 1st? well, i'm hoping to have the new tank up and goin mid feb, 2 week cycle, hmmmmm, should i put sps in right after a cycle is done? lol

[CA2OR]

yeah....and that is $20 for a 1 inch frag....or $30 for non members....which is still a steal for a 1 inch frag of Phonope....

[jgf86123]

so my question is this, could i put a frag of ponape in my tank right after its cycled or am i sentencing said coral to a horrible death?

[CA2OR]

well....each time I moved to a different tank I have used little to no old water....but I did have my sand and rock...except when I moved from Cali to here.....I drove my tank up here, 14 hours, and put brand new sand in, old LR, new water, corals, fish, within 3 hours and never looked back.

[jgf86123]

The only thing I'll have is my LR, I decided against totally tearing the tank down and am going to keep the rock cycling.

[CA2OR]

it is my opinion that you will be fine.

[snowpunk]

The only thing I'll have is my LR, I decided against totally tearing the tank down and am going to keep the rock cycling.

It's really more about your levels. If you have good calc. and the other levels are all within the standard and steady you should be fine. Could always have someone hold it for you also just until you are ready to put it in.

[Bitricker]

The only thing I'll have is my LR, I decided against totally tearing the tank down and am going to keep the rock cycling.

I had no choice but, I set my 120g w/ new sand, a little old water, and old LR, and just dumped everybody in. I had a bit of ammonia fluctuation, but it was stable in a few days. the only problem I had was the starvation of my spiny urchin, he was just too hard to get out (sad), my sand sifter star would have met the same fate I'm sure but I gave him away.

[Fish]

Count me in.