Green Nepthea

[Kymaro]

My Nepthea has leaned over? I think I might have answered my own questions but wanted a second opinion. Upon pulling up pictures to show what has happened I noticed the 2nd picture has my heater in it, maybe it is leaning away from the heater? Seems logical but with the weather the heater is rarely on, but it has come on a few times. Any other idea's as why it has leaned over?

Yes, I have moved my heater

 

[Kyuss]

How long have you had it, and how long has it been like that?

 

[nuff40]

The one I have does this frequently. For no apparent reason, it deflates and looks like it's about to give up the ghost. Next time I look it's fine as frog's hair. I wouldn't worry much about it as long as there is good polyp extension otherwise.

 

[AlSimmons]

These corals like a lot of flow IME. (that trunk is strong) Not enough flow and they get lanky & reach. A bunch of flow and they fill out. (short & stalky)

 

[Kymaro]

How long have you had it, and how long has it been like that?

I've had her for about 5 months, I've seen her do this for short periods of time, like in the evening when tank lights go out and we are still watching TV, it would almost seem to bend and reach for the TV light then go back up straight when the lights come back on. I move it to a different spot about 2 months ago to a brighter area. She was fine and didn't bend over and then about a week ago, she laid over and has stayed that way. I thought maybe leaning away from heater. I moved the heater the day I posted this and she is still laid over.

The one I have does this frequently. For no apparent reason, it deflates and looks like it's about to give up the ghost. Next time I look it's fine as frog's hair. I wouldn't worry much about it as long as there is good polyp extension otherwise.

As of today, it's still a beautiful vibrant green and the polyps are extended but it continues to lay on it's side (not touching the rock). No color changes in the trunk. It appears as if all the polyps have move to the upper side? Is that possible?

These corals like a lot of flow IME. (that trunk is strong) Not enough flow and they get lanky & reach. A bunch of flow and they fill out. (short & stalky)

Water current, very interesting, I can't remember which came 1st, the bend or changing the current flow? A blower on the other side of tank lost it's suction so when I hung it back up I changed the flow path ever so slightly. Maybe I have moved it and created a new current and she doesn't like it. Looking at the tank---hard determined eyes---Is it possible she is reaching toward the water return area? Looking for more flow??

Thank you, I'll be changing the water flow today so she gets a stronger current. I'll update a picture post this afternoon

 

[HidingReefer]

My green leather does this too, it randomly leans over, it does this for about a day, the next day it's back to normal

 

[Kymaro]

Here is an update: She continued to lay down this morning. The polyps are active and opened, it also appears there are even new polyps growing. It's pretty close at being near the center-back side of the tank. I placed an extra wave maker (JVP-110 528-GPH) on the side of the tank facing the back wall allowing water flow to pass just over the top of the Nepthea. The branches wave in the flow, no steady bend of the branches are occurring. I will keep an eye on it and post changes (or no changes) tomorrow. :debi:

 

[Kymaro]

Here is after 24 hours with new water flow. It almost appears it has sandwiched itself so all branches are up into the flow. It now lays directly on the rock. Could it be damaged and unable to get back up? Will it continue to thrive like it has? I haven't had it stay bent this long. There is no discoloration in the trunk. :headwalls: And her polyps are opened nicely.

 

[Kymaro]

Well, I guess my Nepthea will remain on its side. It has made no attempt to stand up. My temp, Nitrates, phos, Salinity, Ammonia, Calcium, KH, pH remain stable and within normal limits . It remains colorful and it's polyps open nice. She continues to appear healthy, appear being the operative word. :hmm6:

 

[Kyuss]

Yeah if the polyps are open like that I'd just leave it be. IME moving it or constantly changing stuff up will do more harm than good.

On the flip side, mine stands tall during the day, with the stalks a good 5-6" just about straight up, even in relatively strong back & forth flow.

 

[Kymaro]

It appear now to be trying to stand back up. It almost looks like it might have been damaged at the base? I don't know why or when but again it still look good. Polyps open, slight rocking with the current. I'm going to leave it alone as it seems healthy. Just interesting behavior.