Polyp Extension

[anthonys_aqua]

I always seem to have trouble with PE, I have a 130g mixed with a decent amount of flow.
2 mp40s running reef crest at 60% with the wide flow guard
alk 8
cal 460
nitrate 16.5
po4 .11

idk what it is cause ive seen people with new tanks that always PE, my tank is about 3 years old now so id say its fairly established
whats the secret to PE?

 

[Xaznkewlguyx]

I have the same problem. Decent growth and good colors, but no PE. I think my problem is the clown gobies hopping around. I’ve just accepted the fact that I won’t have PE lol.

 

[drexel]

I wouldn't worry about PE, do you see PE at night when the lights are off? If so, don't worry. Also, fish may prevent PE during the day. What fish do you have?

 

[djrice69]

Try lowering your po4 to 0.08 ppm, question what is your par and lighting like?

 

[drexel]

Try lowering your po4 to 0.08 ppm, question what is your par and lighting like?

I can say with absolute confidence that PO4 has no affect on PE, whether it be high or low. To the OP, how often are you feeding the tank/fish?

 

[lazycouch]

it’s still possible to have flow that’s too high. especially if it’s constant and direct

 

[anthonys_aqua]

I can say with absolute confidence that PO4 has no affect on PE, whether it be high or low. To the OP, how often are you feeding the tank/fish?

Fish is fed twice a day with pellets on auto feeder, plus nori clips

Only fish I do noticed that could possibly be nipping is the citron clown goby, he sits all the sps mainly, cant be certain but looks like hes nipping them? picked up a fluffy milli today so we'll see how long it stays likee that

 

[drexel]

Fish is fed twice a day with pellets on auto feeder, plus nori clips

Only fish I do noticed that could possibly be nipping is the citron clown goby, he sits all the sps mainly, cant be certain but looks like hes nipping them? picked up a fluffy milli today so we'll see how long it stays likee that

Yeah, those gobies can't be trusted, in fact, some of them are downright destructive in smaller systems. How many fish and how big of a tank? I feed about 6x a day, LRS, pellets, flakes, etc...I'm a huge fan of feeding smaller meals throughout the day.

 

[djrice69]

First picture sps up top low nutrition ton of flow (low po4 0.08ppm, high light 350 par)

Second picture same coral lower light 150-200 par 1/3 placed at the bottom, lower flow, same nutrientas above picture taken same time.

Alk was lean around 7-7.5 dkh -red sea blue bucket

Theory run lean condition with more light and flow makes them stretch for food hence more polyp extension. I maybe wrong it’s just an observation.

 

[anthonys_aqua]

Yeah, those gobies can't be trusted, in fact, some of them are downright destructive in smaller systems. How many fish and how big of a tank? I feed about 6x a day, LRS, pellets, flakes, etc...I'm a huge fan of feeding smaller meals throughout the day.

Yeah I caught him last night and sumped him, I did a bit of google search since my friend gave me that fish and a ton of people say that nip at sps

but this is from tank build post, its a 130g

I have NLS pellets, mix of algaemax and thera+


Livestock:
Purple tang
Yellow tang
Blue Hippo tang
Tomini tang
Australian Stripey
2x picasso helmet clowns
Starry blenny
Citrinis Clown Goby
5x Chromis
Gold Assessor Basslet
Cleaner wrasse

 

[drexel]

Yeah I caught him last night and sumped him, I did a bit of google search since my friend gave me that fish and a ton of people say that nip at sps

but this is from tank build post, its a 130g

I have NLS pellets, mix of algaemax and thera+


Livestock:
Purple tang
Yellow tang
Blue Hippo tang
Tomini tang
Australian Stripey
2x picasso helmet clowns
Starry blenny
Citrinis Clown Goby
5x Chromis
Gold Assessor Basslet
Cleaner wrasse

Start feeding smaller meals throughout the day if you can and add in some quality frozen food (not mysis) Rod's or LRS and you'll start to see a difference. Also, you can feed some live phyto a couple times a week and things will start to take off. I also like to feed live artemia (baby brine) at least once a week, rotifers, even better. All of these mouths need to be fed different kinds of foods. On the reefs, huge schools of tangs and other herbivores come in, eat like crazy and shit all over the reef and that's what feeds the reef (corals), we need to do that in out tanks, but in a more manageable way/size.

 

[DanK.Reefer]

Fish is fed twice a day with pellets on auto feeder, plus nori clips

Only fish I do noticed that could possibly be nipping is the citron clown goby, he sits all the sps mainly, cant be certain but looks like hes nipping them? picked up a fluffy milli today so we'll see how long it stays likee that

I had a citron goby nip at my acros in the past. Peace out citron.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[All Delight]

How are the colors of your acros? Can you post pictures?

From my experience, overall good health = good colors, growth and polyp extension. I can't remember the last time my acros had great color and growth and poor polyp extension.

When colors and growth are eh....ok, so is polyp extension.

Without seeing anything, I'm guessing your acros are not thriving, they're surviving.

Every tank is different in terms of nutrients, flow, lighting. My tanks have always done great alk mid 7's, cal 420, nitrates <1, phosphates < .04, while I was dosing pohls xtra.

 

[anthonys_aqua]

I had a citron goby nip at my acros in the past. Peace out citron.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

Yeah I threw him in the sump on the same night

How are the colors of your acros? Can you post pictures?

From my experience, overall good health = good colors, growth and polyp extension. I can't remember the last time my acros had great color and growth and poor polyp extension.

When colors and growth are eh....ok, so is polyp extension.

Without seeing anything, I'm guessing your acros are not thriving, they're surviving.

Every tank is different in terms of nutrients, flow, lighting. My tanks have always done great alk mid 7's, cal 420, nitrates <1, phosphates < .04, while I was dosing pohls xtra.

I guess we'll see? I got them at rap, so probably still adjusting. Colors look the same as when I got them.

 

[drexel]

Keep things stable and let them grow. Once they settle in, you should be okay. Again, the lack of polyp extension isn't a sign of poor health, but the lack of polyp extension at night would concern me.