Polyp extension

[Dom_P]

Was looking for a thread on little PE and came across this one.

As I have a Flame Angel in the tank, I decided to try an experiement.

I took one of my frags with no PE during the day and fuzzy at night and put it in a seperate acrylic container where the fish could not get to it (at about the same depth level in my tank). The container has many holes in it for flow (and way to small for any fish to enter).

After 2 days, same thing. Good PE at night, no/little PE during the day.

So I don't think lack of PE extension during the day is always typically a fish issue.

I do have good SPS growth as the others in the thread also seem to have and I buy the feeding at night explanation. Given that, I'm wondering if tanks with more fish have higher nutrients and the SPS get their "fill" during overnight feeding and do not need to extend during the day?

 

[Serioussnaps]

I read something the other day on here(not to say this is an aboslute) that this can be related to gas exchange....polyps extending serves another purpose in gas exchange and it can be related to the amount of flow you have....try this....when it is just the actinics on turn off all flow and see if they extend more...also do some research as i dont remember many details of this anecdote

 

[ahchung]

Maybe you would try AAHC or CV. When you overskim your tank, you should provide some quality food to your SPS's.

 

[panosb]

I return with some updates...

A friend of mine owns a fancy chemical spectrum analyzer, which provides very accurate testing concerning various parameters.

I measured some unexpected values:
- phosphates: 0.000 :eek2:
- silicates: 0.06
- nitrate: <1ppm!

In addition, I added some gorgeous Acro colonies imported from Indonesia to my country a couple of weeks ago. They show some better PE compared to my older frags, but not in a chance the "hair" they extend at night...They have even shown signs of growth (especially the yellow Millepora)...My flame seems to totally ignore the corals...

But I'd die to know the cause of this behaviour!


PS: I feed frozen invert food at night