Why no PE?

[Ssteve]

I feel as if I'm some how training my sps's to only extend polyps at night somehow. I have various frags and small colonies that I've picked up showing great PE. I place them in my tank and almost every one of them has good PE for a couple weeks during lights on. Then for some reason they just stop. They still grow, have great color, and fully extend their polyps at night or with just the moonlights on. But turn the main lights on and bye bye polyps. Only thing that doesn't do that is all my birds nests. All perameters are in check, change 8-10% of the water weekly, no algae issues, fish are happy etc etc.

 

[Peter Eichler]

Do you have a Centropyge/dwarf angel? If so, he's the one training your corals to only extend polyps at night

 

[Ssteve]

I have a cherub Pygmy. But this has been an issue since before I got him.

 

[Peter Eichler]

More times than not it's a pest like red bugs or a fish that's nipping every now and then. Examine and watch closely if you think the corals look healthy otherwise.

 

[aqua80]

do check for AEFW or RB....
any pics ?

 

[Ssteve]

I have checked and don't see anything. I guess I need to look a little harder though. If it was rb or aefw wouldn't that effect pe at night?

 

[aqua80]

Reaction to bugs are very different from acros to acros... some don't seems to care while many others retract their polyps...

if you can dip and blast one or a couple of the affected frags/colonies, you will know rapidly...

 

[Ssteve]

I dip everything as they come in and have dipped/blasted everything after the fact too. Haven't noticed any bugs though.

 

[ChrisKirkland]

What type of lighting do you have?

 

[Ssteve]

Currently two kessil a350w's with two 39w t5's over a 57g tank.

 

[Peter Eichler]

Some pics would help us determine if the corals are otherwise healthy looking besides the lack of polyps extension. I still say your angel is probably to blame... How long did you have the tank setup without him and what other fish did you have? Were/are the corals growing well?

 

[LoJack]

I agree with Peter, it's likely a fish that picks during the day. It doesn't even need to be an Angel

I have a one spot fox face, that by all accounts is reef safe … yet I see him nip at SPS polyps from time to time. Not enough to damage the coral … but enough that my PE has gone down.

One day, I may be able to get him out of there … but until then I live with it. Corals are still growing and colourful so I'm not too worried about it.

Any peppermints or emerald crabs? They are also known for eating SPS polyps

 

[Ssteve]

Two emeralds and one peppermint. I'll try and get some pics tonight. Why would it just be all my acros and not the birdsnests?

 

[Reef264]

I have the same problem, due to a pair of Singapore Angels...and catching them would be a church ordained miracle.

 

[DopeCantWin]

I have the same problem, due to a pair of Singapore Angels...and catching them would be a church ordained miracle.

There are many threads on how to catch fish here. You'd be surprised how well Nori dipped in Selcon works in getting any fish into a trap.

To the OP, you very likely have red bugs. They are very difficult to see with the naked eye, even after you've noticed them before. I had them for months and had no idea other than no PE. You said you dip your corals, I did as well. Most dips don't kill them, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like I'm right according to http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1902265. If you don't see spots missing from your SPS, I'm going to bet you have em.