Polyp Extension and coloration

Scubajoe1 · 08/27/2015, 02:34 PM

Just a general question about Polyp extension and coloration.

I have several SPS colonies and frags in my tank. Parameters are very stable.

Alk- 9.5, Temp 78.5-79.1, Ca- 450, Nitrates- 1.5 ppm, phosphates 0.06 ppm, Mg- 1400 ppm.

I have polyp extension on most corals. I have one deep water smooth one (Coral B) that has no polyps to be seen nor never has. I have a second piece that also has never had any polyp extension but this looks more like a standard piece of Acro (Coral A).

Any idea what type this one is?

Also this seems to be light brown on the underside where it is not getting the same light at the top.

DO other people have corals without polyp extension and b) do you have corals that the underside is not really colored up?

Also does anyone know the name of coral B here?

E46Twist · 08/28/2015, 01:35 PM

I am not even close to an expert here but I will give info based on my own experience. I have monti caps, digis, and an unda and none of them have much in the way of polyps that extend you can see them but it is nothing crazy, these corals are all growing very fast and have good color so they must not be too unhappy. I have an acro that looks like coral B and again does not have crazy long polyps nor are they packed together. Now I do have a paradise birds nest birds nest birds nest that looks like a fuzzy tree when the polyps are all out. If you look closely with just actinics on I but you see some PE or if you put some coral good in the tank you will likely see it. If there truly is no PE I would think that would be a problem and indicate a problem but again I can only speak from limited experience from what I have kept.

Good luck and happy reefing

Wsufan18 · 08/29/2015, 08:39 PM

I have several acros that never have polyp extension when the lights are on yet are growing with great colors. I sometimes shine a flashlight on them after the lights have been off for a few hrs and polyps are extended like crazy! Have you tried a flashlight after hrs?

Scubajoe1 · 08/29/2015, 08:54 PM

I have but not on this Acro in particular. Will check it out when I get back home.

scumbag_gli · 08/30/2015, 12:36 AM

B looks like a Cali tort

DiscusHeckel · 08/31/2015, 04:21 AM

I have three smooth skinned acropora colonies in my tank: A. lokani, A. granulosa and A. carduus. They extend their polyps in the dark unless I feed my tank heavily during the light hours or add coral food, such as rotifers.

The first coral looks like Acropora tennis. I believe that I have exactly the same coral in my tank, which looks very "hairy" day and night:

ReefBum · 08/31/2015, 08:28 AM

What kind of fish do you have in your tank? Angles can nip at SPS polyps.

08/27/2015, 02:34 PM	#1
Scubajoe1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 409	Polyp Extension and coloration Just a general question about Polyp extension and coloration. I have several SPS colonies and frags in my tank. Parameters are very stable. Alk- 9.5, Temp 78.5-79.1, Ca- 450, Nitrates- 1.5 ppm, phosphates 0.06 ppm, Mg- 1400 ppm. I have polyp extension on most corals. I have one deep water smooth one (Coral B) that has no polyps to be seen nor never has. I have a second piece that also has never had any polyp extension but this looks more like a standard piece of Acro (Coral A). Any idea what type this one is? Also this seems to be light brown on the underside where it is not getting the same light at the top. DO other people have corals without polyp extension and b) do you have corals that the underside is not really colored up? Also does anyone know the name of coral B here? __________________ Scubajoe 180 Gallon reef tank with coast to coast Herbie overflow. 60 Gallon sump with 9" filter sock. 36" lifereef skimmer, activated carbon filter. Emperor Aquatics 40W UV Sterilizer Current Tank Info: 180 gallon reed tank, coast to coast overflow, herbie overflow. Life reef sump and 36" life reef skimmer, GHL Doser 2, Neptune Apex reef controller, Auto topoff, Spectrapure RO system with a Tunze RO controller. activated carbon and no more GFO.

08/29/2015, 08:54 PM	#4
Scubajoe1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 409	I have but not on this Acro in particular. Will check it out when I get back home. __________________ Scubajoe 180 Gallon reef tank with coast to coast Herbie overflow. 60 Gallon sump with 9" filter sock. 36" lifereef skimmer, activated carbon filter. Emperor Aquatics 40W UV Sterilizer Current Tank Info: 180 gallon reed tank, coast to coast overflow, herbie overflow. Life reef sump and 36" life reef skimmer, GHL Doser 2, Neptune Apex reef controller, Auto topoff, Spectrapure RO system with a Tunze RO controller. activated carbon and no more GFO.

08/30/2015, 12:36 AM	#5
scumbag_gli Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: CLE & AKR, Ohio Posts: 231	B looks like a Cali tort __________________ Hello, my name is bruce. Actually its Derek, enjoy my stupid antics. Current Tank Info: 180 Gal Display. Fish Room under construction.

08/31/2015, 08:28 AM	#7
ReefBum Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Warren, VT Posts: 1,181	What kind of fish do you have in your tank? Angles can nip at SPS polyps. __________________ March 2009 TOTM July 2003 TOTM Current Tank Info: Eurobraced 187g Low Iron Glass Tank

08/28/2015, 01:35 PM	#2
E46Twist Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Columbia,MO Posts: 328	I am not even close to an expert here but I will give info based on my own experience. I have monti caps, digis, and an unda and none of them have much in the way of polyps that extend you can see them but it is nothing crazy, these corals are all growing very fast and have good color so they must not be too unhappy. I have an acro that looks like coral B and again does not have crazy long polyps nor are they packed together. Now I do have a paradise birds nest birds nest birds nest that looks like a fuzzy tree when the polyps are all out. If you look closely with just actinics on I but you see some PE or if you put some coral good in the tank you will likely see it. If there truly is no PE I would think that would be a problem and indicate a problem but again I can only speak from limited experience from what I have kept. Good luck and happy reefing

08/29/2015, 08:39 PM	#3
Wsufan18 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 51	I have several acros that never have polyp extension when the lights are on yet are growing with great colors. I sometimes shine a flashlight on them after the lights have been off for a few hrs and polyps are extended like crazy! Have you tried a flashlight after hrs?