Acropora polyp extension
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: SPS
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions SPS corals.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=861
Printed Date: August 19 2025 at 4:56pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Acropora polyp extension
Posted By: Kahuna
Subject: Acropora polyp extension
Date Posted: August 10 2003 at 3:09pm
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Hey you stony people. I have a challenge. My acros have no polyp extension. My montipora's have good growth. My porites is healthy. My different type of polliciporas have good polyp extentions as do my pavona and favites.
My acros do have moderate growth. But when I look at say, Danny's tank. They have hair like he does.  But my don't at all. What's up, and what can I do for polyp extension. (Yes I know some acros don't, but I'm talking about the one's that do.)
Thank you much for input. |
Replies:
Posted By: Brad A.
Date Posted: August 10 2003 at 9:11pm
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Tell us your tank specs. Lights, ca, alk levels filters etc.. If they're growing, perhaps there is no problem.
Brad |
Posted By: ewaldsreef
Date Posted: August 10 2003 at 9:33pm
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Did they have show more polyps and now are receding or have they always been this way. If they have always been that way then it could have to do with your lighting and or other tank specs. I am not an expert on acro's just giving my input. ------------- Contact me for professional aquarium maintenance and localy grown coral frags. [URL=http://www.aquatitranquility.com][/URL] |
Posted By: Flaz
Date Posted: August 11 2003 at 5:56am
| Kahuna, my tank has little or no polyp extention on acros as well and I have mostly given up on figuring out why... My tank seems to have good growth for the most part but for whatever reason the polyps will only come out with the lights off (and even then they are not super long). I've picked up a few frags from Jeff Hite (who's tanks has super long extention) and within about a month they have little or no extension but continue to do well... I'm interested to hear the comments from others. |
Posted By: John Fletcher
Date Posted: August 11 2003 at 8:18am
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This is a question I e-mailed Eric Hugo Borneman on 12/22/2001. "The corals look good to me, but I don't see the polyp extention like I think they should. I have seen some tanks and pictures, where the coral almost looks furry, I know this could be the species, but I know there is polyp extention on all SPS corals. Also the tissue on the frags looks great, good color and they are growing over the gel super glue."
Eric, "They look good, and it sounds like they are doing good. The furry nature may be good or bad - a coral with polyps always extended doesn't equate to health. They might be starving or trying to get more light when they are always expanded. Corals in the wild rarely extend their polyps during the day - usually only at night when food is present. So, don't think of polyp extension as any indicator of health - although colony or polyp contraction might indicate a problem, too. But, looking at your tank, I do not think there is anything wrong at all." I hope this will help, I don't know if it answered your question. I did improve my lighting and started liquifing my homemade fish food. With these two basic improvements, my SPS's have improved over the last year and half. I have noticesed more polyp extention. I wanted to post a picture from 4/26/03, but could not get it to work. ------------- John Fletcher 20 years experience (Tank of the Month for May 2003)Taking a little break... |
Posted By: SSpargur
Date Posted: August 11 2003 at 8:33am
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John, email me the picture and I'll post it for you.
[email protected] |
Posted By: Jake Pehrson
Date Posted: August 11 2003 at 8:40am
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Water flow often effects polyp extension in SPS. ------------- Jake Pehrson Murray http://coralplanet.com" rel="nofollow - coralplanet.com http://utahbeeranch.com" rel="nofollow - :) |
Posted By: Kahuna
Date Posted: August 12 2003 at 8:51am
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Jake,
so do they have a preference for more water flow or less. In my 80gal I've got 11x turnover/hr. divided between a closed loop system and my skimmer that is returned through a "Sea Swirl". |
Posted By: SSpargur
Date Posted: August 12 2003 at 8:54am
Here are the pics John was having trouble posting:
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Posted By: Kahuna
Date Posted: August 12 2003 at 8:56am
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Flaz,
thanks for the info. I actually snuck down and looked at my tank after dark last night. I do have a little polyp extension. I also have a green slimer from J.Hite and mine now has little to no extension. I feel better knowing I'm not alone. |
Posted By: Kahuna
Date Posted: August 12 2003 at 9:08am
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Jon,
thanks for posting that letter. Now I know I'm not after polyp extension all the time. Nice pictures. |
Posted By: John Fletcher
Date Posted: August 12 2003 at 9:22am
Kirk, I want to see your tank. I spoke to you about it at the last meeting. Thursday night I am free, PM me if it would be ok to see it then.
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