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Aynesa
10/08/2008, 03:23 PM
So this question straddles two different forums, so I flipped a coin...

A few days ago I was given 4 corals: Two colt corals, an Open Brain, and Green STar Polyps. That was last Saturday. My lighting is 1x 150w Metal Halide, and 2x65 PC, one dual daylight, one Actinic. These are two separate hoods (I bought the PCs when I entered the saltwater hobby, then bought the MH recently when I went into reef). The PCs are in back, the MH close to the middle. The tank is a cube, dimensions 31 inches all around. L, W, and H.

I'm concerned because the Green Star hasn't extended it's polyps significantly. I knew it could take a few days, but I understood it would be 1-2 days, 3 on the outside.

The brain hasn't changed. I haven't noticed it extending it's sweeper tentacles, but I understand those can be hard to notice. Here's a picture with their location. They're about to the middle of the tank. Green star is circled in white, brain in red. Any feedback would be an enormous help. I'm really getting worried about the Green Star.

<Img src="http://worldofpangea.com/S7300286.JPG">

Aynesa
10/09/2008, 04:07 PM
Bump :) Would really appreciate some suggestions

patsfan1130
10/09/2008, 04:41 PM
It could be due to a multitude of things. as you already know, it is not uncommon for corals to go through a transition period and settle in to their new enviroment.

need answers to some questions though....

What type of lighting was used on them before you got them? It is very possible your light is more intense. If so, they need time to acclimate to your MH. Many use layers of screen to block some of the light and then over the course of day/weeks remove a layer of screen to slowly acclimate them. another method is raising the light itself which lowers the intensity. then gradually lower the light back down over days/weeks.

Really need to know your water permeters and how long this system has been running as well.

Calcium
Alk
PH
Phosphate
Temp
SG
Nitrite
Nitate
Ammonia

jdolores
10/09/2008, 04:51 PM
I had my star polyps closed for a week+ thinking something was wrong. Then they re-opened and never ran into that probelm again, same with some zoa colonies.

Aynesa
10/09/2008, 04:53 PM
Funny thing is, there's also a single Zoa on the rock, and it's opened wide. Go figure.

Patstan-- I'll get the water parameters after lunch. My most recent test is 3 days old, and I did a waterchange since then.

Aynesa
10/09/2008, 05:42 PM
System has been running nearly 3 years now. Perhaps over 3 years, actually.... but right around there

Calcium 440
Alk 12dkh
PH 8.4
Phosphate .5
Temp 78
SG 1.022
Nitrite 0
Nitate 20
Ammonia 0

The tank they were in was this long, low, shallow tank with a huge MH fixture over it with 3 different lights. I have no idea the intensity of those lights.

The brain seems to be doing okay, though I haven't seen the sweepers, I don't know exactly what to look for. The colt corals I got at the same time are doing AWESOME. One was nearly dead from light starvation, but it's nearly standing up on it's own now. The brain still has colors about the same to when I put it into the tank. No changes of any type. Actually, now that I think of it, when I first pu it in one part was sticking down a little, I didn't notice. Then a few days later the coral fell off the rocks. I picked it up and that part looked like it had a bruise. IT was a deep purple. When I proped it back up I put that side up, and now it's color has returned 100%.

I'm probably being paranoid, but I'd just like to be certain. These are my first corals ever...

patsfan1130
10/09/2008, 05:54 PM
I think your ok. I would work on getting your PO4 to undetactable but I do not think you have anything to worry about. Falling off a cliff can certainly tick off a coral :) Also, Brains tend to extend their sweepers at night.

Aynesa
10/09/2008, 07:13 PM
Believe me, I've been working on it! I've tried everything, even overhauled my sump and removed the bioballs, but those nitrates seem there to stay. They tend to fluctuate between 10-20 on my tank. I've added plants, nitrate remover, phosban, and the phosphate has plumetted. I decided to go reef about 2 months ago and started really working on the phosphate reading. When I took my first reading, the phosphates were at 10. Well sure! I'd had the tank 3 years and never worried about the reef angle. Nitrates were up around 80-120. I've been working very hard for 2 months with just about everything available and thrown alot of money at getting them down. The phosphaes are nearly gone and still falling. The nitrates are being stubborn.

I've got really good night time lighting, 6 white and 6 blue LEDs, what should I look for as far as sweepers on the brain go?

patsfan1130
10/09/2008, 07:25 PM
Well, your hard work is paying off :) A refugium with some macro will do wonders for your PO4 levels. something to think about. watch your stocking, feeding and be dilligent with your WC and nitrates will continue to fall. sweepers on brain corals are typically very short. almost like little nubs. dont expect to see long sweepers.

Aynesa
10/09/2008, 07:31 PM
Funny, the name sweeper brings long, flowing tentacles to the minds eye.

My sump is 2 chamber, and is as big as my stand will support. Unfortunately, one chamber is full (And I mena FULL) of protien skimmer. The other chamber has the chiller and return pump in it. I can't fit those pumps in the other chamber, so no where really to put the macro where it won't get caught up in pumps. :\ I welcome suggestions. I put some macros in my main tank, but my regals ate them down to stumps. Feather Calurpa and Chaeto are almost entirely gone

patsfan1130
10/09/2008, 07:35 PM
You could always build your own sump. Believe me, If I can do it anyone can :) On my 90, it is a simple 20g long tank which I put 2 pieces of acrylic in to make 3 chambers. I know other people have modded hang on filters into fuges as well. where there is a will, there is a way :)

Aynesa
10/09/2008, 07:42 PM
A bigger sump won't fit under my stand though. There are physical constraints right now that keep me from doing it. This sump BARELY fits under my tank. It's the maximum size I can handle. I prefer deep tanks, what can I say? :)

I started thinking about it, and I *MIGHT* be able to rearrange things so the skimmer is in the other compartment, put my pumps in there (Maybe I can manage) and possibly I'll be able to make one refugium compartment that the water from the overflow will splash into.

maybe...

I'll have to try it and update, but for now, I have no refugium and no room for it... I might possibly be able to rearrange things more efficiently, but that will require some luck and real skill on my part to get 2 more pumps to fit in an already packed compartment with my RS135.