Bubble coral

Todd_elb · Nov 25, 2019

I was wondering if it’s normal for my bubble coral to fully retract at night. I mean nothing is out but in the day it’s fully open. Here is a pic during the day and a pic at night just taken

Paleozoic_reefer · Nov 25, 2019

Totally normal! Nice looking bubble coral too!

CasaReefer · Nov 25, 2019

Catching Some Zzzzzzz

Todd_elb · Nov 25, 2019

Ok always worried. I have never seen it’s sweepers out at night. But then again I go to bed while it’s dark lol

Todd_elb · Nov 25, 2019

Paleozoic_reefer said:
Totally normal! Nice looking bubble coral too!

Thanks I was hoping it’s normal

KrisReef · Nov 25, 2019

@Todd_elb

What lights did you settle upon?
Do you have other fish?
Do you feed your coral, do you have/feed pods or other target food to the bubble?

So the bubble coral should like to be extended and hunting plankton food at night, not all closed up like yours is. Yes, they sometimes just close up at night but nighttime feeding is also expected.

Your tank is fairly new and I'm just interested that your coral thrives. If it's getting bombarded with light during the day and there is nothing to eat then it makes sense that it fully closes at night. New corals take time to get used to the new system and yours is acting like the water might be too clean? (or that there is not particulate food available so it closes up?)

Short term it could still be just acclimating but long term it should want to eat light at day and plankton at night.

Are you measuring Phosphate/nitrate in your tank?

And yes, it's a cool bubble. Just want to keep it going long term.

Vinman · Nov 25, 2019

Todd_elb said:
I was wondering if it’s normal for my bubble coral to fully retract at night. I mean nothing is out but in the day it’s fully open. Here is a pic during the day and a pic at night just taken

If you ever get other corals beware because bubble coral in my tank always wins and they get bigger and bigger and.....long tentacles

Todd_elb · Nov 25, 2019

KrisReef said:
@Todd_elb

What lights did you settle upon?
Do you have other fish?
Do you feed your coral, do you have/feed pods or other target food to the bubble?

So the bubble coral should like to be extended and hunting plankton food at night, not all closed up like yours is. Yes, they sometimes just close up at night but nighttime feeding is also expected.

Your tank is fairly new and I'm just interested that your coral thrives. If it's getting bombarded with light during the day and there is nothing to eat then it makes sense that it fully closes at night. New corals take time to get used to the new system and yours is acting like the water might be too clean? (or that there is not particulate food available so it closes up?)

Short term it could still be just acclimating but long term it should want to eat light at day and plankton at night.

Are you measuring Phosphate/nitrate in your tank?

And yes, it's a cool bubble. Just want to keep it going long term.

Yes I ph is fine as well as nitrate. I did just get in some Tisbe copepods. I feed my sis shrimp as well as feed reef roids once every 4-5 days. I have only had it for about 2 weeks now.

Todd_elb · Nov 25, 2019

KrisReef said:
@Todd_elb

What lights did you settle upon?
Do you have other fish?
Do you feed your coral, do you have/feed pods or other target food to the bubble?

So the bubble coral should like to be extended and hunting plankton food at night, not all closed up like yours is. Yes, they sometimes just close up at night but nighttime feeding is also expected.

Your tank is fairly new and I'm just interested that your coral thrives. If it's getting bombarded with light during the day and there is nothing to eat then it makes sense that it fully closes at night. New corals take time to get used to the new system and yours is acting like the water might be too clean? (or that there is not particulate food available so it closes up?)

Short term it could still be just acclimating but long term it should want to eat light at day and plankton at night.

Are you measuring Phosphate/nitrate in your tank?

And yes, it's a cool bubble. Just want to keep it going long term.

I have the aqua max Nemo light for now but going to get better ones first of the year

Todd_elb · Nov 25, 2019

Vinman said:
If you ever get other corals beware because bubble coral in my tank always wins and they get bigger and bigger and.....long tentacles

That is very nice looks massive

KrisReef · Nov 25, 2019

Todd_elb said:
I have the aqua max Nemo light for now but going to get better ones first of the year

I think it's going to look better with time!

Todd_elb · Nov 25, 2019

It looks great during the day all puffed out. Like I said always asleep when dark. My cousin said it takes his a couple hours before he sees its sweepers at night. Never have checked aftthe first hour maybe I will tonight.

KrisReef · Nov 25, 2019

Todd_elb said:
It looks great during the day all puffed out. Like I said always asleep when dark. My cousin said it takes his a couple hours before he sees its sweepers at night. Never have checked aftthe first hour maybe I will tonight.

It's worth it to get up and check out the sweepers! I have a blacklight for that purpose and I encourage you to go look next time you awaken during the night. It's really cool what goes on in the tank after the lights go out.