Sun Polyp Help

Thizzelle686 · 02/14/2008, 10:03 PM

I recently bought a colony of Sun Polyps for my BC29. I understand that these are non photosynthetic corals and like high flow and need to be supplemently feed. I have had a really hard time getting these guys to open up for me so i can feed them. I was told to target them with frozen cyclopeeze, but i cant even get them open to eat. can any one give me some tips when it comes to these corals. I think they are absolutely gorgeous and dont want to get rid of them.

SuperNerd · 02/14/2008, 10:10 PM

Try feeding them what you're using of frozen mysids at night, when they usually open up. Eventually you might be able to feed them during the day.

Why are you having trouble opening them up? I don't think they like direct light.

BurntOutReefer · 02/14/2008, 10:18 PM

good luck keeping them....FYI, that whole specis is on the endangered list....
keep it in very low light, low to medium flow. When (if) they ever open up, target feed (turn flow off) with mysids and maybe some brine or small mysis........make sure you defrost the food first...

BurntOutReefer · 02/14/2008, 10:20 PM

heres some quick reading on it:
http://www.flippersandfins.net/CoralOrangeSun.htm

Thizzelle686 · 02/14/2008, 10:22 PM

Well right now they are in direct light becuase that is where i get the most flow and i was told they like high flow. I will try moving them to a lower light location but im worried they wont get enough water movement. do you think mysis or cycloppeze?

MYDRAAL · 02/14/2008, 10:27 PM

I target feed mine at night so the fish don't grab the food before the coral does. Also, feed your shrimp first so they don't bother them. Piece of cake just make sure you target feed these guys.

BurntOutReefer · 02/14/2008, 10:27 PM

IMO...move to lowlight (in-direct) and indirect medium flow.....the water movement (hi-flow) is due them catching food in the water column.....IMO, its more important right now to get them to open (since feedings will be target feed anyway)....

MYDRAAL · 02/14/2008, 10:29 PM

Agreed

Thizzelle686 · 02/14/2008, 11:06 PM

But the problem is i cant even get them open to eat.....

jaw969 · 02/14/2008, 11:09 PM

I had the same coral as well and had mine in high light area....they always opened up, they were also in a high flow area. Could it possibly be something else? A fish nibbling etc...?

Thizzelle686 · 02/14/2008, 11:23 PM

No i really dont have any fish that nibble. I guess i will try moving them to a different location.

uscharalph · 02/15/2008, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Thizzelle686
But the problem is i cant even get them open to eat.....

Some people remove them from the tank, into a tupperware bowl of tank water. Then feed in the tupperware bowl. After they've eaten, place back in the tank.

Thizzelle686 · 02/15/2008, 01:41 AM

These are all great suggestions but im having trouble getting them to open up. Can anyone give me some tips to get these guys to open up?

uscharalph · 02/15/2008, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Thizzelle686
These are all great suggestions but im having trouble getting them to open up. Can anyone give me some tips to get these guys to open up?

They will open up in the tupperware bowl for sure. Unless there is something wrong with them or your water parameters

currentking · 02/15/2008, 04:18 AM

I have a very large colony on the top of my tank near 250w 20k M/H. I have high flow and it opens up everynight very big. IMO it dont matter what kind of light you keep it in as long as you acclimate it and it has good flow and water peramaters. I mix mysis with cyclopeze and reef bugs to feed mine.

mburke · 02/15/2008, 08:09 AM

I usually place a small scoop of golden pearls directly into the return section of my sump about 10-15 minutes before I feed the tank. Usually this gets everything in a frenzy(corals,fish inverts). I then turn off my pumps and place my food mush on the right side of the tank(fish feeding area). While the fish are occupied I target feed my sun coral and the place the top half of a 2 litre bottle over it so the fise can't steal from it,Ialso target feed my open brain and candy cane this way. i know it is a PITA but my sun coral is now almost two big to fit the botttle top over(almost softball size),as well my brain and candy canes have all doubled in size in less than a year. I will feed the fish again and then the LPS again. Wait a 1/2 hour remove the bottle tops,turn off the skimmer and fire up the intake pumps to circulate the rest of the food. Wait another 1/2 hour and fire up the return pumps leave the skimmer off until the next morning. All this takes place around6-7 pm when I get home every other day. This also allows me to see the corals in all their feeding glory.
Mike

02/14/2008, 10:03 PM	#1
Thizzelle686 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Monterey, Ca Posts: 210	Sun Polyp Help I recently bought a colony of Sun Polyps for my BC29. I understand that these are non photosynthetic corals and like high flow and need to be supplemently feed. I have had a really hard time getting these guys to open up for me so i can feed them. I was told to target them with frozen cyclopeeze, but i cant even get them open to eat. can any one give me some tips when it comes to these corals. I think they are absolutely gorgeous and dont want to get rid of them.

02/14/2008, 10:10 PM	#2
SuperNerd Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: SoCal/Left Side- USA Posts: 4,572	Try feeding them what you're using of frozen mysids at night, when they usually open up. Eventually you might be able to feed them during the day. Why are you having trouble opening them up? I don't think they like direct light. __________________ I said fraggit! Current Tank Info: M-728 Combat Engineer (based on M60 hull). M-3 Lee Medium (British version with squatter).

02/14/2008, 10:22 PM	#5
Thizzelle686 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Monterey, Ca Posts: 210	Well right now they are in direct light becuase that is where i get the most flow and i was told they like high flow. I will try moving them to a lower light location but im worried they wont get enough water movement. do you think mysis or cycloppeze? __________________ SOME PEOPLE LIKE THEIR CUCUMBERS BETTER PICKLED

02/14/2008, 11:06 PM	#9
Thizzelle686 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Monterey, Ca Posts: 210	But the problem is i cant even get them open to eat..... __________________ SOME PEOPLE LIKE THEIR CUCUMBERS BETTER PICKLED

02/14/2008, 11:09 PM	#10
jaw969 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 1,067	I had the same coral as well and had mine in high light area....they always opened up, they were also in a high flow area. Could it possibly be something else? A fish nibbling etc...? __________________ How do you kick this habit anyway.......saltwater addicts anonymous? Current Tank Info: Oceanic 120 RR-Aquamedic Ocean light-Tunze 9015-Will be a mixed reef

02/14/2008, 10:18 PM	#3
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	good luck keeping them....FYI, that whole specis is on the endangered list.... keep it in very low light, low to medium flow. When (if) they ever open up, target feed (turn flow off) with mysids and maybe some brine or small mysis........make sure you defrost the food first...

02/14/2008, 10:20 PM	#4
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	heres some quick reading on it: http://www.flippersandfins.net/CoralOrangeSun.htm

02/14/2008, 10:27 PM	#6
MYDRAAL Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: FWB Posts: 396	I target feed mine at night so the fish don't grab the food before the coral does. Also, feed your shrimp first so they don't bother them. Piece of cake just make sure you target feed these guys.

02/14/2008, 10:29 PM	#8
MYDRAAL Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: FWB Posts: 396	Agreed

02/14/2008, 11:23 PM	#11
Thizzelle686 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Monterey, Ca Posts: 210	No i really dont have any fish that nibble. I guess i will try moving them to a different location. __________________ SOME PEOPLE LIKE THEIR CUCUMBERS BETTER PICKLED

02/15/2008, 01:41 AM	#13
Thizzelle686 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Monterey, Ca Posts: 210	These are all great suggestions but im having trouble getting them to open up. Can anyone give me some tips to get these guys to open up? __________________ SOME PEOPLE LIKE THEIR CUCUMBERS BETTER PICKLED

02/15/2008, 04:18 AM	#15
currentking Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Palm Bay Florida Posts: 868	I have a very large colony on the top of my tank near 250w 20k M/H. I have high flow and it opens up everynight very big. IMO it dont matter what kind of light you keep it in as long as you acclimate it and it has good flow and water peramaters. I mix mysis with cyclopeze and reef bugs to feed mine.

02/15/2008, 08:09 AM	#16
mburke Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Aston,PA Posts: 82	sun coral I usually place a small scoop of golden pearls directly into the return section of my sump about 10-15 minutes before I feed the tank. Usually this gets everything in a frenzy(corals,fish inverts). I then turn off my pumps and place my food mush on the right side of the tank(fish feeding area). While the fish are occupied I target feed my sun coral and the place the top half of a 2 litre bottle over it so the fise can't steal from it,Ialso target feed my open brain and candy cane this way. i know it is a PITA but my sun coral is now almost two big to fit the botttle top over(almost softball size),as well my brain and candy canes have all doubled in size in less than a year. I will feed the fish again and then the LPS again. Wait a 1/2 hour remove the bottle tops,turn off the skimmer and fire up the intake pumps to circulate the rest of the food. Wait another 1/2 hour and fire up the return pumps leave the skimmer off until the next morning. All this takes place around6-7 pm when I get home every other day. This also allows me to see the corals in all their feeding glory. Mike