Polyps receed during daytime?

riggs · #1 03-22-2010, 07:20 PM

Is this normal? Or might I have lighting which is too strong for them. Calc is about 230, Alk is 8. I have 2 250w MH's & 2 64w act. blues about 10" over a 22" deep tank. Pocci's are about 7" from the surface & seem to be doing OK (although a little less extended than last month). A green slimer also about 7" from the surface completely retracts it's polyps during the day & only puts them out at night,.... A stag which is at 13" is doing the same thing. & when they do extend I would say they are only about 1/16th".

It seems to me that other people's corals show their polyps alot more during the day than mine do.

Anybody have any comments or ideas?

Also, how long on average does it take a coral to adapt to it's new environment (water chemistry, lighting, current)??

ottoman · #2 03-22-2010, 07:37 PM

I am guessing too much light, may be the UV from the MH. Check your water condition, seems your calcium is bit low.

bauder1986 · #3 03-22-2010, 07:45 PM

hmm yah I have to agree that you may be getting some UV from the MH and your Calc is waay to low bud. Shoot for 450ppm for calc. other than that check all other perameters, doo a water change.

Also PM lobsterboy or fishytime, they are heavy into SPS so they might have an answer for you as well.

The Codfather · #4 03-22-2010, 08:19 PM

Calcium is very low, I run 3-250watt over a 24" tank, with corals anywhere from 4" from the top to the bottom of the tank, lighting in my opinion is not the problem.

riggs · #5 03-22-2010, 08:37 PM

Thanks Codfather. comforting to know that others have similar settings to mine - 250's & depth of tank....

However, brings me back to "why" the polyps retract?

Sorry - Type-o in original note Calcium is actually 430. I've also been doing quite a few water changes lately & use Canadian springs bottled water (I couldn't find a good supplier for Perrier ;-)

What about the amount of time Corals take to adjust to their new environment?? Different for each one?

bauder1986 · #6 03-22-2010, 08:39 PM

hmm are you using any zeovit systems? Phosban reactors?

The Codfather · #7 03-22-2010, 08:49 PM

In some cases, I have had frags that took weeks to finely colour up and get good PE. Try placing it in several locations, might not like the spot it's in. Flow might have some factors as well, I have noticed better polyp extension after I bumped my flow to around 10000 gph, and my tank dimensions are 45" x 30" x 24" high.

shrimpchips · #8 03-22-2010, 09:16 PM

what fish do you have?

I have a Potter's angel so some of the SPS keep retracted during lights on, but fully extend at night - others are extended no matter what time.

freezetyle · #9 03-22-2010, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Codfather

In some cases, I have had frags that took weeks to finely colour up and get good PE. Try placing it in several locations, might not like the spot it's in. Flow might have some factors as well, I have noticed better polyp extension after I bumped my flow to around 10000 gph, and my tank dimensions are 45" x 30" x 24" high.

I agree with the flow portion. I had a piece that was getting lots of flow polyps were out all of the time. After a position shift, where it was a bit sheltered, has caused it to have very little.