how to get big open mushrooms?

[squishifishi]

for some reason, my mushrooms don't open much. I go to the lfs and see all their mushrooms look so big, but then in my tank they never do that. so, what's the key to getting shrooms to spread out and get that ideal"mushroom" look? mine are just little tiny smooshed looking things. They are under not much flow, and parameters are good. what do you think?

 

[dryworm]

maybe too intense lighting. put them under some shade

 

[SpartaReef]

Mine seem to like more light... Depends I suppose. Check with your lfs and compare... What is different?

 

[Sk8r]

Watch your water quality, especially your alkalinity: check my params in my sig line.

 

[Gill_bucket]

My first guess would be too much flow, however you said they aren't under a lot of flow?

 

[philosophile]

I've noticed lower lights make my shrooms open up more... and then after prolonged low light, they start growing taller to stretch for the light. But this makes them a little more prone to detaching to find a new place, esp with a moderate amount of flow on them.

 

[squishifishi]

ok, thanks! I moved on to a different area.I think there is less flow but it is really hard to tell if there is flow or not...
we'll see! maybe a baby will grow from its previous location!

 

[redcable]

I agree on the low light, it opens big when put under shade...

 

[Sk8r]

Water chemistry is a possibility. My water params in my sig line might help.

 

[squishifishi]

hmm, the green one is doing great now. opens up to a max of 2 inches. that purple one just won't do it though! I can't think where else to try putting it!

 

[Daniel62]

Hi, Mine seem to open bigger under bluer light as my Maxspect razors ramp down. I also agree with low to medium flow.

 

[squishifishi]

well, i think I stabbed that purple one to death....I tried to pull it off the rock for relocation. it didn't want to come. so then i got the bright idea of using a pair of tweezers to pull it off...fail
Apparently they are invincible though so maybe it will heal from its stab wounds and instead split into lots of litle mushrooms. i can always hope right? I'll try putting my light on a bluer setting. my palys are bleaching so I think i need to tone the lights down anyways. thx for the suggestion!