Help on sps polyp extension!!

[Mark 75g]

I have a 175g bow front with dual overflows. Has been up & running since Sept 09.

9.5 return pump.
2- Koralia #4's
1- Koralia #3
1- Koralia #2 used to break water surface.

Parameters
1.025 salinity
9 dkh
1200 mag
400 ca

SPS growth is going great, but curious about polpy extension. My ORA red planet and my ORA Bellina both did not really display PE during day, but at night when I shine a flash light into tank they both have good PE. Yesterday I decidedd to put the cone on front of a #4 and aimed it at the 2 corals. Today they both have shown better PE.

Do you think they need even more flow to get better PE during the day???? I was thinking of replacing the #3 with either another #4 or maybe even a #5. Don't have the cash to buy a Vortech.

 

[schroder_reef]

I personally wouldn't be too concerned if they are showing good growth, coloration, and polyp extension at some point during the day or night. Some of my sps have shown great polyp extension during the night, while others have shown during the day. It seems to vary coral to coral. It also depends on when they feed.

 

[mutateddogbone]

if i remember correctly, 175 bowfronts are 6' long. if thats the case you probably need more flow. your return pump is undersized for your water volume and you could almost throw a K2 in a nano the flow is so weak. IMO you want another couple powerheads and jack that flow up.. you also might want to bump up your Mg a little bit to 1350. Also, what fish do you have?

 

[Mark 75g]

Yes the 175 is 6' long.

Yellow tang, flame angel, anthias, six line, blue hippo, lawnmower blenny, chromis, 2 clowns.

I tried putting a mag 12 on the return but for some reason the overflows could not keep enough water flowing to the sump.

 

[dangerrrr]

Yes the 175 is 6' long.

Yellow tang, flame angel, anthias, six line, blue hippo, lawnmower blenny, chromis, 2 clowns.

I tried putting a mag 12 on the return but for some reason the overflows could not keep enough water flowing to the sump.

Flame angel could be a problem. Check he's not nipping at the sps.

 

[borcu]

^^ agree.