Torchy cannot be that smart ???

[potatocouch]

I am still trying to understand the behavior of Torch Coral (Euphyllia Glabrescens).

Is it really that smart to know the difference between daylight and nighttime?

It's day 2 on the tank yesterday and I think it might still acclimating but those that have experience with Torch coral, I would appreciate any feedback/opinions from all of you

These are the behaviors that I have observed on day 2:
- Polyps tentacles are fully extended during the day (approx. 8 am to 5 pm) when there are lights + natural sunlight.
- They look happy and dancing around during the specified time as above.
- Set the light timer to switch off @ 10 pm.
- Tentacles are retracted around 7 pm today; that is 3 hours before the light is switched off.
- Tentacles are retracted but are not fully closed; but they're definitely not as long as the one in the afternoon.
- I think they might still be acclimating to the cycle of the light (maybe).
- Or my other thought is that they have had enough lights hence it retracted its tentacles

Water Parameter is awesome; Temperature is good; Salinity is at 1.025.

The way the lighting of my tank works are as follow:
1. Natural Sunlight from approx. 7 am to 7 pm .
2. LED Light is on from 1 pm to 10 pm <10 hours duration>.

I would appreciate any feedback. Thank you

[dread240]

That's alot of light... my tank gets no natural light at all and my led's are only on for for a total of 12 hours, and only at max intensity for 4 hours

[nlgill13]

Torch, Frogspawn and Hammers all act the same way...There tentacles will fill with water and extend outward during the day. If something is bothering them (ie water parameters, a fish, snails, etc) they will retract there tentacles until what ever was bothering them goes away. At night they close up.

[potatocouch]

Have you ever had or still have a Torch coral that retracted its polyps even the light is still on?

Hypothetically: If Water Parameter is good and nothing bothering them and If you shine a light to a coral (particularly Torch) for 24 hours (just for an example), will it extend its tentacles for the whole 24 hours? or will it know that "enough is enough"?

The above is just an example and I don't intend to do it for that long because it may bleach the coral but knowing the answer will give me a logical reasoning whether "retracting tentacles at night even the light is still on" is okay.

[potatocouch]

Originally Posted by nlgill13

Torch, Frogspawn and Hammers all act the same way...There tentacles will fill with water and extend outward during the day. If something is bothering them (ie water parameters, a fish, snails, etc) they will retract there tentacles until what ever was bothering them goes away. At night they close up.

so what you are saying is that:
- Closing at night is normal but retracted tentacles when light is still on is a concern ?

[dread240]

they are retracting because it's too much light. I would definitely say it's hitting it's photosynthetic saturation point there

[nlgill13]

+1 too much light...I run my lights like this:

9am moons
9:30 moons & blues
10am Whites ramp up & blues on...moons off
noon Whites (at 70%) & blues on
4pm Whites start ramping down & blues on
6pm Whites off, Blues on, Moons on
7pm Blues off, Moons on
10pm Moons off

Oh yea, I have no direct sunlight

[potatocouch]

everyday you learn new stuff

photosynthetic saturation point - i think this may well be it.

Few questions:
1. I think it's an obvious answer but do I cut back light?
2. If it keep hitting photosynthetic saturation point, what is the bad about it? Does it mean that it is actually smart enough to protect itself and say enough is enough?

[nlgill13]

1) yes, the tank needs about 8-12 hours of light. Also how far is your light from the water surface?

2) Unfortunately there is such a thing as too much light. Corals will start to bleach and eventually die.

[potatocouch]

Thanks.

For my further understanding, let say if I keep the tank in a dark room and the light is configured as per below:
* Light off in daylight.
* Light on in night time <12 hours>.

When will I see longest polyp for the above setting? Daytime or nighttime?

[kneedeep]

My Torch, frog and hammer do great growth and color with lighting 7-8 hrs a day. Only time I see them close with the lights on is if something touches them during cleaning/water changes.

[julie180]

Part of photosynthesis takes place in the dark. That is when the light is converted to food.

[potatocouch]

The polyps have now extended again , which is good and dancing around la la la

For my further understanding, let say if I keep the tank in a dark room and the light is configured as per below:
* Light off in daylight.
* Light on in night time <12 hours>.

When will I see longest polyp for the above setting? Daytime or nighttime?

[crissie]

Originally Posted by potatocouch

For my further understanding, let say if I keep the tank in a dark room and the light is configured as per below:
* Light off in daylight.
* Light on in night time <12 hours>.

When will I see longest polyp for the above setting? Daytime or nighttime?

You would see it at night time (when the lights are on) assuming you acclimatised it gradually.

They can't tell the time

[potatocouch]

Great .. thank you.