green star polyps

[bgkingd340]

the colony is maybe 3 weeks new to the tank it took them about a week to open and now the green in them is fading very bad ,,any thoughts to this my salinity is still high trying to brick it down but no nitrites and no ammonia,,,

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...08DCAM1066.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...08DCAM1067.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...08DCAM1068.JPG

[dileggi]

I had some GSP's that were closing as well. There is a forum in the zoa's section about dosing VitaminC to the tank. I started that...it hasn't helped my zoa's at all, but has helped my GSP.

How about flow? I know they grow much better with flow.

What is your salinity at?

[Avi]

Well, of course you have to get the water to its proper measurements...

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

but the two other things to do with green star polyp coral is to get it into good light and make sure there's a lot of flow over them.

[rustybucket145]

What's your salinity? What are you measuring it with? I'd HIGHLY suggest testing it on another piece of test equipment before you adjust it just to be sure your tester is ok.

[dileggi]

...also, can you let us know your other parameters besides the salinity? You said nitrites and amonia were fine. I haven't noticed nitrates or phosphates bother my gsp in any way. Actually, sometimes it seems the GSP grows a bit faster if the nitrates are elevated slightly. Maybe this is just in my head?

But, you didn't mention your PH and just said your salinity was slightly high. This may help some.

Also, are there any other corals in the tank near it?

[sharko88]

I had some that closed for a while and then came right back. I would work with that salinity, but do it very very slowly or it will shock them. Especially if they are faded already, that might kill them.

[camlov2]

I would think lighting when you talk about fading. If they opening and the only problem right now is color they might not have strong enough light. What is your lighting?

[bgkingd340]

my lighting is the power compact 2 actinic and 2 1000k 65 watts a piece.my salinity is like 1.028,and ph was around 8.7( high as well). they were located lower in the tank raised them about 2 days ago..have a open brain coral on the sand bed and also a rasta leather that seem to be doing very well

[rustybucket145]

How are you measuring your salinity??

Ph, is not high at 8.7

[bgkingd340]

with a instant ocean hydrometer

[dileggi]

I have an open brain as well. I have not noticed any interaction between the brain and the GSP. I believe a few inches apart should be OK.

I would first lower the salinity to around 1.025 and the PH down to 8.2. I believe this may be your problem.

How big is the tank in question? The fading could be lights. You do however have more light than I do. I presenlty have a 72w canopy...1 36 actinic and 1 36w 10k daylight. My gsp is probably mid range in my 29...maybe 9 inches or so from the top of the water.

[bgkingd340]

it is a 220 with a 40- gal sump 2 maxi jet 12 1penguin 1140 (ithink ) and another power head ,,return pump is a mag 7

[bgkingd340]

what do u guys think

[dileggi]

I'm thinking someone with a bit more experience should hopefully chime in. I'm thinking the lighting may be a bit low, but I'm not certain on that for sure.

Do you know what your total flow is from what you stated above? I'm thinking you would want around at least a minimum of 20% for flow. Based on the 220g, that would be about 4400 and I think that's a minimum rule of thumb.

BTW...that sounds like a great tank size at 220!

[bgkingd340]

thank you very much well im am in the process of up grading the lighting and the flow thinking of going with a mag 18 do u believe this would be sufficient,

[Avi]

Light seems to be the most likely cause, though the flow is also very important. My star polyps aren't the green variety (though I have a smaller colony of that too) but here's the way the flow should look...Mine weren't doing well until I got the flow looking like this over them and now I have to scrape them back every couple of weeks...



I also suggest that you replace the two actinics with 50/50s and that would almost assuredly help.

[dileggi]

Before you upgrade the light, I post another thread regarding the lighting as I could easily be wrong. Unless, of course you want to upgrade it.

As for the mag 18, it's showing different flow rates depending on the 0ft, 3ft, or 6ft. I'm thinking people would probably prefer to have the flow dispersed from more than one power head so that there are not as many dead spots.

[bgkingd340]

well a greatly appreciate u taking the time to help me,the actinic s are like 55/65s and is there a rule of thumb on how many power heads should be placed in the tank i have 2 on opp sides blowing not really toward each other 2 in the bottom back and another in the top back all on a wave maker ,,what is the best positioning or is it what every suits the inhibitants

[atvdave]

you definitely need to up-grad your lighting. PC's just don't put out enough PARs, especially in a 220 gal tank.

Also why is your PH so high? are you using kalk or something els t keep it that high? I'd try to keep it at around 8.2 if you can

I have GSP in my 125 along with a MAG 18 + 2 tunze 6045's modded. My lighting is a T-5 set up with 14 39w bulbs, (7 on each side). My GSP grow like crazy and there on the bottom of my tank.

Also how deep is your tank? mine is only 18"

[el Deutche]

I'm not a expert, but I would agree with everyone else in saying it is your lights and flow.
I have a 55gal with a corallife compact flourescent hood. The side that has the GSP has a 10,000k and 50/50 65watt light above it. My GSP are about midway up the tank and a powerhead is near them.
Just like atvdave, mine are "growing like crazy".

[dileggi]

Originally posted by bgkingd340
well a greatly appreciate u taking the time to help me,the actinic s are like 55/65s and is there a rule of thumb on how many power heads should be placed in the tank i have 2 on opp sides blowing not really toward each other 2 in the bottom back and another in the top back all on a wave maker ,,what is the best positioning or is it what every suits the inhibitants

Nah, not that I'm aware of. The general rule is usually 20x's the size of your tank for flow. But, everyone's tank is different and not everyone needs flow in the same places. The placement will be more determined by what your stocking, rather than what this or that person does.

I've changed the direction of my flow so many times because something just didn't look right..but not always for the better

The placement will really be what works best for you and your tank.

[bgkingd340]

Originally posted by atvdave
you definitely need to up-grad your lighting. PC's just don't put out enough PARs, especially in a 220 gal tank.

Also why is your PH so high? are you using kalk or something els t keep it that high? I'd try to keep it at around 8.2 if you can

I have GSP in my 125 along with a MAG 18 + 2 tunze 6045's modded. My lighting is a T-5 set up with 14 39w bulbs, (7 on each side). My GSP grow like crazy and there on the bottom of my tank.

Also how deep is your tank? mine is only 18"

thas just it can t figure out why my ph is so high i use fuji gold and purple up but not too much is purpleing up just trying to be patient

[atvdave]

If you don't use a PH booster or kalk I'd get a different PH test kit and see what you get.

I just don't think that your PH is that high with out some help from some type of booster.

Also what are your tank dimensions? L x H x W

[fishox]

I've got GSP growing like crazy in my tank. My experience with them is that they need decent lighting and flow. My tank is a 120. The GSP are on the top of my aquascape. I have 6 110 watt VHO bulbs. My return pump is rated at 1200 gph and I have another 1400 gph in the tank from Koralia powerheads.

[demonsp]

These guys like good medium flow.Low flow they wont open all the way and not produce.To high of flow they wont open.They also like small bits of frozen food. This may help.GL

http://www.asira.org/caresheets