Got No Help in General Discussion, So Posting Here for the Experts

[nmprisons]

First, before you ask, parameters:

Calcium: 450
Magnesium 1450
Alkalinity: 4.5-5 meq
Ph: 8.25
Temp: 80
Salinity: 1.026
Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate: 0
Iodine: .04

I have two questions about feeding tentacles on two differant corals that I have.

First, I have a frag that is about 2.5' x 2.5" of what has been identified on this board, somewhat tenously as a mycedium. While evertying I have read states that this coral should have feeding and sweeper tentacles out at night, my does not and never has. Otherwise, it seems to be fairly healthy. It hasn't grown much at all, but, when it came it, there was a little exposed skeleton in one stop and this definately has not increased and new flesh appears to be covering it. Is it a big deal that there aren't feeders/sweepers? Should I try moving it around to see if it will produce some?

Secondly, I have a chalice frag that is about 2.5" x 1.5". The species - and genus for that matter - has never been fully identified, by I think it is the type generaly refered to as "alien eye" in coloration. I use to have it in the middle of my tank and it would have some serious sweepers and feeders every night. I moved it and for the first few nights its behavior did not change. However, I have not seen feeders for about a week or so. Again, should I be worried? Should I try and move it?

Thanks a lot.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[Sk8r]

You might try a little cyclopeeze or oyster eggs by day, and see if anything appears. My lps corals get quite excited with either, and it doesn't matter if it's day or night. Maze brain and turbinaria react favorably, as well as frog, hammer, and bubble.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

FYI, the Magnesium and the Alkalinity are a little high, but nothing major and nothing that should cause significant problems

1) It's not much of a problem. As Sk8r said, just feed a variety to entice it to come out. If it doesn't don't worry much about it since it is a zooxanthallate. Have you tried target feeding? Sometimes some of my corals like that will still capture food without having the feeder tentacles out.

2) It's okay. It most likely is doing this because it doesn't feel the need to be aggressive, or that it is stressed. Is it in an area of higher flow? Higher light? Any of that can cause it to react differently than from other areas. If it doesn't look stressed or negatively reacting to its surroundings, than I would just leave it and watch.

 

[Spracklcat]

One thing which has helped me get corals to actively feed is to do it every day at the same time of day--evening for me. I shoot in a little cyclopeeze or a tiny bit of pack juice from thawed marine meats, shut off the water flow, wait 10 minutes or so, and then feed. After a while the corals know that no flow=dinner and once the flow is off they start extending feeding tentacles.

FWIW I neveer see sweepers or long tentacles on any of my LPS either and they are all healthy--

Christine

 

[nmprisons]

Thanks ... actually, the chalice came out last night. It is in an area of slightly higher flow then it use to be in (sweepers beeing blown back at a 45 degree angle as opposed to extending pretty much straight up) I think I will keep monitoring and wait and see.

My magnesium is usually 1375, but for some reason it tested high that time. Also, my alkalinity is usually 4.5 meg/L, but tested a little higher that time as well. They have both settled back down since that one test.

 

[Sk8r]

nmprisons, one thing that helped my lps enormously was adding a sea swirl---the back and forth sweep of turbulence is what they most like, chaos, in which their tentacles can toss and grab food. Best thing I've ever done for them, changing the monodirectional flow to a periodic one.

 

[nmprisons]

Is there one that would work in my 25 gallon? I was told that they are mostly for larger tanks.

 

[castorpollux]

you can hook up as low a flow as you want to them so it doesnt matter... it would just take up a good portion of space in a 25g tank...