Green star polyps help

[hawk82]

My gsp was one of my first corals, and I loved the way it flowed in the waves. I got it back in april of this year about a 1 inch piece and its almost 4 inches now. It was doing so well, open everyday, but yesterday. I got up looked at my tank, and it was closed all day. Same thing today, its all closed, all I see is the purple mat. Its never done this before, what could be wrong? I dont have much in the tank, just some leathers, and the gsp. Im really stressing over it, because I dont know what changed, and I dont want it to die

 

[Mooses]

What are your water parameters? Water changes regularly? Anyone else closed up? Anyone irritating the GSP?

 

[hawk82]

Temperature - 78 degrees
pH – 8.1
Specific Gravity – 1.025
Nitrate - 10

The only other thing thats closed is a little gorgonian that looks like its lost all its polyps, Its all flat looks like one of my snails might of mowed it down.

 

[imchuco]

what's your phosphate and alk?

 

[hawk82]

No test kits for those two.

 

[Mooses]

So I would definitely recommend going and getting at least the alkalinity test. It's called "carbonate hardness". That's very important to coral health. That will provide a lot of insight into your exact water chemistry. I suspect a drop in alk is going on.

 

[stanleo]

Mine did this too. Was closed for a few days and nothing had changed. Water tested the same as it always did. Then it opened back up like nothing had happened. Don't panic. The only thing I can suggest is making sure it has enough flow.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Blow on it with a turkey baster gently as there may be sediment or mulm on it which you wont see. It still wont open immediately but you'll see peaks of green later.
Assure also that it has moderate light and water flow and also a small content of iron in the water

 

[old salt reefer]

Mine did this too. Was closed for a few days and nothing had changed. Water tested the same as it always did. Then it opened back up like nothing had happened. Don't panic. The only thing I can suggest is making sure it has enough flow.

As has mine.

 

[sfin52]

Did you move it or touch it at all. This will cause it to close up. Having hermits crawl across will do this as well.

 

[Ribo15]

Agree with above. If it’s closed for like a week then maybe be concerned. A few days is nothing for these. Mine just did this the last 4 days and opened back up today almost full. Nothing had changed.

 

[KWT]

When I started my tank, I had live rock, about week 3 we saw some green stuff growing, GSP and it is getting bigger all the time. Give it some time to see if anything happens

 

[hawk82]

My long spine urchin could of crawled over it too. I sprayed it with a turkey baster and did a small water change, hope it will come around. But from you guys posts its seems kinda normal for them to just close out of the blue. Its just strange it the 6 months Ive had it, its always been open big and flowing.