Another PE explanation?

[spankey]

I have a polyp extenstion question for some or most that might experience the same thing I go thru?

After lights out, in say about an hour I have full PE. I mean most of my acro's and mili's look like they are hairy that's how much they are out...

The weird thing is as soon as I say turn on my 96 watt actinic to rule out the fish nipping.... Within a good minute all polyps retract and no PE... Come morning, I can shine a flashlight in the tank before lights on and same exact thing, full PE????

Does anyone else ever have this? Full PE with lights out but as soon as the lights come on, they retract? Is this normal? I mean its so weird.....

My fish consist of the following.

1 purple orchid dottyback
2 clarki clowns
1 yellow tang
1 coral beauty
1 yellow tailed damsel
1 fiji devel damsel
1 scooter dragonet

I never see any of the fish EVER nip at any corals... No red bugs....Hence PE at night wouldn't happen if I did correct? I mean, I can get a frag of SPS from people and it has full PE during the day for about 4 days, then after that, only at night....

I mean, how do people get PE during the day... I read that you can sometimes trick the SPS by leaving the lights off for 24 hours, then sometimes they will stay extended during lights on?

I am running two 150w phoenix 14k halides and one 96w actinic over my tank.... Corals are all growing nicely and colorations are there.

Can anyone explain this or if you have the same situation?

Thanks for your time and replies!
Spankey

 

[DarkXerox]

Hmm, I've always wondered if oxygen levels affect polyp extension. I would guess they would drop at night as photosynthesis stops (unless you have a reverse lit fuge)

 

[spankey]

I actually keep my fuge lit 24/7.

 

[Ibwrasstaman]

IMO you have too many fish in a 46 Gallon to be able to maintain good water quality! I also think in such close quarters, the fish will also contribute just by being in close proximity.
I am speaking of your sps only.
Wrassta

 

[fijiblue]

spankey - Your polyps come out at night to feed. In the ocean there are two zooplankton outbreaks at night in which the corals (sps) get majority of their energy from. I would start feeding them every night when the lights are out with rotifers and see how they do. I think you will notice a difference in a few weeks.

 

[jdieck]

Yes, during the day the polyps adjust to the amount of light being received, at night they extend to feed. This is why when feeding the corals (Pytho, cyclo, rotis or such) is better to do it at night with the natural cycle outbreakes.

 

[jay24k]

I don't think he has alot of fish but some just won't show PE during the day. My Milles always do though

 

[spankey]

Yeah my fish are actually quite small. And I have been told to add even more! Small ones that is. My water quality is perfect! Zero nitrates, amonia and phosphate. My calcium is holding at 450 and my alk is at 9.5.

I have a great skimmer and a huge sump/fuge as well.
So I don't think the fish are an issue as far as contributing to water quality. As a matter of fact, don't fish help the SPS with their "poo".. I know you don't want to over pack a tank, but have a few fish running around to fuel the fire? So to speak!

I was thinking about adding a few chromis either green or blue as well. Bad idea???

Thanks for the replies.
But yes, my tank at night looks like an SPS feeding frenzy. I feed oyster eggs and cyclopeeze. The cyclopeeze I actually blended into a liquid using some saltwater and froze them as cubes. This way the sps would be able to get it...Before the blend, they were too big. Now the cubes look like orange ice cubes!

 

[Ibwrasstaman]

I based my opinion from my experience with my 125. I also had a moderate fish load of mostly tangs, wrasse, and other small fish. Like you I had great water quality, although after going BB I had to clean a lot of poo every couple days to keep it from getting too deep, and degrading the water. I was determined to get daytime PE as I have now.
Now that I have upsized, all of my acros and montis have excellent PE both day and night. I didn't even recognize some of my corals I just got from RM as the PE was so great!
I really think it is a result of too many fish in a confined area that will cause the coral polyps to recede in the day. Ask yourself, what changes at night. The fish become much less active. The light levels also contribute, but I have seen plenty of corals with PE while diving during the day.
So, that is my theory. I have seen it hold in many aquariums, but can't prove it is true.
Now that I have PE, I will note that some corals were nicer to look at with their polyps partially retracted!
Good luck,
Wrassta

 

[jdieck]

I would not add more fish. Remember they grow! In my case I see the same effect even in the frag tank were there are no fish. I think in my case it has more to do with the bright lighting.

 

[jay24k]

I think you are good on your fish and I wouldn't add anymore either.

 

[spankey]

OK thanks!