starburst polyps

[hammcd]

ive had a rather large starburst pulyp frag for a month now...it has been doing great...very dense and nice ...the last 30 hrs or so the polyps have remained closed...all my values r in check...i cant think of any changes other than adding a brain coral yesterday but its far away from the polyps

has anyone experienced this?

 

[brianjfinn]

I've had mine close up for over a month and come back out again. Just keep up with your water changes. All you can do is wait.

 

[hammcd]

ahh thats kinda a relief...theyve been doing so great and one of the best frags in my tank...i did a 20 percent water change tonight...i also noticed my large button polyp is closed..maybe it was just water change time ...hopefully

 

[merkywater]

Mine do it all the time. I have three different species of gsp and it seems that every now and then they close up for a while, not all at the same time mind you so I know it isn't water quality on my part. I do however think that is a form of reproduction, bc once they come back out they start to spread.(JMO)

 

[hammcd]

yeah mine have all closed up...kinda stressing me out cause they were my favorite lol...i hope i havent killed them somehow...i really cant think of anything different in the tank other than the one new coral that is nowhere near it...and the values still good

 

[merkywater]

I don't think they will die. Like I mentioned earlier mine have sometimes closed for days and then open right up. If they do die I have plenty and will hook you up I have three different kinds. I think you will be ok though.

 

[hammcd]

ahh thats very nice of you...ill keep ya posted...today is just day number 2 of them being closed..im hoping to get a sunpod 70w in soon to have a little better light

 

[merkywater]

That will help also keep up on water changes...water changes replenish essential elements for the life of the corals.

 

[hammcd]

yeah i thought as much too...i have a biocube 14 and do 2 gallon water changes weekly...did one yesterday thinking maybe theyd perk up today but ni change..

 

[hammcd]

if they hadnt been doing so well for the last 2 or 3 weeks id think it was the light..i had them near the top of the stock lighted tank which is by most accounts considered moderate lighting with the stock pc lights

 

[merkywater]

Just give them some time and we'll see if they bounce back...mine have been known to stay closed more than 4 days so we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[hammcd]

i appreciate you walking me through it...im very new to aquariums so any little thing out of the ordinary alarms me, and its nice to have others going along for the ride...i also noticed that since its been cold recently the temo in the tank has dropped about 4 degrees to 74...down from the 78 to 79 its normally at..i purchased a heater tonight though ....maybe that is another reason they have closed..like u said i will wait and see

 

[merkywater]

Yea any change in the enviroment will do it that is a pretty big change....good to see you got a heater definitely need that. No problem we are all here to help.

 

[hammcd]

just a quick update...i started the heater last night and got temps back up to 78-79 degrees and when the lights came on this morning a few daisys poked their heads through...so i think it was just the 4 degree dip in temp that they didnt like...hopefully they will continue to emerge as the day goes on

 

[merkywater]

Probably the problem.....Good to here!

 

[chemically_balanced]

That would have been my first guess. You have to watch those temps during season changes.

 

[hammcd]

lol, well a few came out then went back in..they must not have liked what they saw...maybe they r just taking a nap for a few days lol

 

[sprinklerman500]

The temp also changes the salinity to change and that's why they closed.

 

[hammcd]

but as long as i keep the salinity at 1.25 they should be good?...with the ehater the tank has been steady at 78 for a few days and only a few have poked their heads back out..maybe they r getting use to it again