how much is too much flow?

[syrinx]

I just got a pretty beefy zoanthid colony that I have to have a little higher in the tank that usual. The flow up there has them bobbing around a bit- are they happier dead still or should they have a bit of sway? These are large ones the stalk is about 3/4 of an inch or a little more- up to dime size heads.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

If your polyps are retracting and being blown to and fro, that is excessive current. The polyps should have a slight and variable wiggle to the skirts and/or a slight sway to the stem of the polyp.

Mucho Reef

 

[syrinx]

Thanks for the quick response- they are really out big time so I guess they are happy!

 

[MUCHO REEF]

Do you have a pic by chance?

Mooch

 

[GQ22]

ive also found that intense light will cause them to retract and shrink. had this happen with frags of the same colony, the higher up they went the smaller the polyps shrunk

 

[syrinx]

No pics- hope to remidy that problem a week from tomorrow!

 

[MrMexReefer]

mucho reef, those are gorgeous (on ur avatar) what are they called, so i may try to locate some???

 

[MUCHO REEF]

Thanks MrMexReefer, but I have no idea what they are called. You could post the pic in the ID thread or reference it as my avatar and someone could help you out with a name. Not being rude at all, I just don't reference them with names. Can't remember but I think they came from Figi. I purchased them years ago.

Mucho Reef