Is there a time called " light adaptation perid" for LPS?

[calk me Q]

Everything is weired. Every LPS coral (elegance coral, torch coral, bubble coral) i added to tank was fully open in the first two-three days and then shows a sign of recession:

1. elegance coral: fully retracted till now( 5 days)
2. bubble coral (not fully open, very small bubble)
3. torch coral (partially open)

I read from the book that LPS coral has a period of "photo adaptation" when they change their dianoflagilates against new light condition. So i would like to make sure that if that is the case. Or it is because of poor water quality.
However, all soft corals are really good right now.

Current water parameter:
1. PO4 : 0.1 PPM
2. NO3:25-50 ( salifert, as the color couldnt be identified specificly so here i would incline to assume it among the range but a little more deviated to 50ppm)
3. Organic matter( dont know how to test, but it seems quite poblematic as i have many red algae growing in my refugium which i think it cino)

Please any comments, really appreciated that:uzi::uzi::uzi:

 

[Mark9]

Sound like something is off in your tank if every lps withers after 3 days.
Nitrate is high.
How about sg, ca, kh & mg?

 

[Tweaked]

+1. Something is off. Typically the coral would look better after adding to a tank with correct params as most stores are not. There are many things that could be off including stray voltage. Start by eliminating the obvious. GL

 

[Kyle918]

Everything is weired. Every LPS coral (elegance coral, torch coral, bubble coral) i added to tank was fully open in the first two-three days and then shows a sign of recession:

1. elegance coral: fully retracted till now( 5 days)
2. bubble coral (not fully open, very small bubble)
3. torch coral (partially open)

I read from the book that LPS coral has a period of "photo adaptation" when they change their dianoflagilates against new light condition. So i would like to make sure that if that is the case. Or it is because of poor water quality.
However, all soft corals are really good right now.

Current water parameter:
1. PO4 : 0.1 PPM
2. NO3:25-50 ( salifert, as the color couldnt be identified specificly so here i would incline to assume it among the range but a little more deviated to 50ppm)
3. Organic matter( dont know how to test, but it seems quite poblematic as i have many red algae growing in my refugium which i think it cino)

Please any comments, really appreciated that:uzi::uzi::uzi:

Depending on your lights, yes, any coral could benefit from an acclimation period. Generally, you want to start corals low in the tank and move upwards until they are in their more permanent positions. What lights are you using? How high are they from the tank and long are they on for and at what intensity if they are dimmable?

I would start with reducing your nitrates though; 25 - 50 ppm is very high and could be part of the problem or at least is the cause of your cyno in your refugium.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

PO4 is also on the high side.

 

[cloak]

I agree with the above, there might be some underlying problem, but as far as the title of the thread goes, maybe this link will help out.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-01/atj/index.php

 

[mcfa2403]

Based on your issue I would not say it is due to light as typically signs of shock from a change in lighting intensity would typically lead to bleaching and a change in photoperiod would just lead them to opening up offset from your light schedule for maybe the first day or two but they would still likely open up fully.

My three guesses to possible causes (could be some combination of the three as well)

1) Poor water quality, high NO3 and PO4, which are bi-products of high organic matter levels in the water column. Factors here would be feeding (don't spot feed your LPS when these levels are high they are photosynthetic and do not require spot feeding so cutting this is a good start for getting your parameters under control), filtration, and water change schedule (a consistent schedule is key for LPS as they thrive under stability).

-A side note here is that I personally find that LPS do best with massive levels of filtration and consistent water changes. People like to say that softies and LPS "like dirty water" and this is simply not true, they like high nutrient levels. Dirty water is high in organic waste, high nutrient levels means regular feedings (these coral don't feed on NO3 or PO4). So to be able to feed large quantities you need high levels of filtration, personally I think the best thing for a tank with LPS is a refugium as macro feeds on the waste bi-products of food without taking the food out of the water column. However, a skimmer is also a must (IMO) and yes LPS can be kept without high levels of filtration but surviving and thriving are two different things.

2) Flow issues, most LPS like moderate and indirect flow. If they are getting direct flow or high flow they generally wont extend fully so as to avoid damage to their soft tissue.

3) Tank parameters must be stable and at decent levels, based on them not acclimating well your parameters are likely very different from where they are being purchased. This is fine if your parameters are good but if they are then after a day or two they should look better in your tank than they did in the place of purchase (if purchased locally, shipped is a whole different matter). Parameters should be 9-11 dKH, 1250-1350 magnesium (this one gets people pretty often, it will throw off your pH if low and will also lead to calcium carbonate precipitation lowering both calc and alk levels), and calcium 400-450. These parameters should not only be within this range but once they are in range you never want these to take dramatic shifts (no more than 20 ppm a week in calcium, magnesium will only really shift with a water change so no more than about 40 ppm, and alkalinity no more than .4 dKH in a week).

-Second side note, a high quality salt is key here in my opinion because it gives you the most stability in parameters from one batch to the next which will also make dosing easier. Also make sure that all water is RO/DI and that if the tank is smaller that your topoffs are consistent.

As far as pH, if your parameters from point 3 are correct your pH may be low but it will be stable so while it may shock the coral slightly upon acclimation, the acclimation time will be relatively short.

What I outlined above has been the key to success with every LPS I have dealt with (also make sure you have no tank inhabitants that pick at LPS and watch out for damaging the tissue as this can lead to disease) and I hope this helps.

Good luck