Long Stalk Short stalk

FiReBReTHa · May 3, 2009

Which do you prefer?

I prefer my zoas nice and short so they are like a tight little mat.

Aloha Corals · May 3, 2009

I personally like short... If i see any getting long i make sure they are moved to a higher flow area. I know lighting is not the cause in my tank. More flow will shorten them back up in a few weeks at the most.

AC-Kevin

bheld1 · May 3, 2009

Well I didn't know flow was a major part of stalk size. I prefer short as well and mine are longer than I like and always thought it was light, although I have more than enough of that. Good to know!

sleeper · May 3, 2009

Also did not know about the flow affected stalk length, I have been slowly moving a certain colony towards the surface with no luck. Will try adding flow. Thanks.

revhtree · May 3, 2009

Short for me!

MikeB · May 4, 2009

Palys/Zoas will stretch when they are not getting enough light. The more light the smaller the stalk. IMO and Experiance Flow has not affected stalk size but light has.

forddna · May 4, 2009

And some are just longer..

ahayes13 · May 4, 2009

light has seemed to play more of a role in stalk size for me. if they are in shade over A short period they will lengthen their stalks trying to get to more light.

Aloha Corals · May 4, 2009

ahayes13 said:
light has seemed to play more of a role in stalk size for me. if they are in shade over A short period they will lengthen their stalks trying to get to more light.

For the most part this is the case... I know i don't have a light issue. Due to a lot of MH wattage and my racks only being 10" under the surface at the most. There is no shade in my tanks, anywhere.

I've also seen flow be a factor in the wild, not just tanks. If anyone doubts their lights than that would be the first thing to adjust. Most people do not have enough light for size of their tanks.

As far as flow effecting... I've mentioned it before in the relation of plants. Not enough wind, long skinny stalks. A lot of wind, short thick stalks. Ask any cannabis grower, they will agree. :wink:

AC-Kevin

Tankguy001 · May 7, 2009

I like em long

mylittlejade · May 7, 2009

I like the short.

knockout · May 7, 2009

I think also expansion room, I've notice some of my palys get longer when they rock they're in is completely covered... I prefer short but really does not matter to me that much

TonyB · May 10, 2009

I question the theory of light causing them to reach for the light. Most will only stretch 1/2 or less. How much more light can they possibly get by doing this? I can see if they're in the shade and they're reaching out from under a rock to collect light, but a vertical reach seems minimal.

But I prefer them short

mevstheworld · May 10, 2009

I like them short and tight. I agree with the light stretching. I put a rock in my sump that had some palys on it, after about a week without looking they were about 2/3 as long as before reaching for the flood light

my .02

fashionphile · May 10, 2009

Ive got some armor of gods that have at least a 2" stalk. They are at the top, not shaded and in med/high flow under t5 lights, they are not crowded as it is only 5 polyps on a large plug. So if its not light, not flow, not crowding then what?
I like em short