Explain this growth

If they are hitting the front glass then the water will head down to the sand and quite likely circulate back up the rocks and hit the coral from underneath. Your coral will do fine but you may end with the front ende heading down instead of up as you were hoping.

 

I am confident that's at least part of the reason. What would be a better configuration?

 

I would try pointing each of them more toward the opposite corner from the one it is in. You should still get good get good random flow.

 

I will probably need to move them more towards the center and away from the corners on the back wall then, right? I don't think they will angle in anymore then they are now.

 

In that case then yes. I would not aim them directly at each other but parallel to each other if you put them on the sides. Put one 4" from the front of the tank and the other 4" from the back on the other side, or something similat. This configuration will give a good random flow by creating a rolling motion in the water.

 

And point them straight ahead? i.e. pointed directly at the opposite wall?

 

I have one on the back wall and one on the side wall pointing in. I get pretty good random flow but if I were going to do it like John is talking about, then yes, pointing straight ahead. Maybe point both a little downward but not much. Watch your corals. If the tentacles move in random directions, you have achieved it.

 

It probably is a species of Montipora that is suppose to grow down. Just because it plates doesn't mean it has to grow upward.

Are we assuming it is Montipora capricornis?

 

I'd leave it as long as it don't grow onto anything growth of coral is good. I like it.

 

Thanks. I'll do a little messing around tomorrow.