Radion Pro and Polyp Extension

[miggs76]

Just curious as to see if anyone else has the same experience as myself. I have a radion pro gen 2 over a 60 gallon cube with 95% SPS. I get pretty good growth and color, but the only polyp extension I ever see is at night. I've talked with a few reefers in my local club and they have said the same thing (LEDs tend to inhibit polyp extension). Is it possible the narrow beams of light cause the polyps to retract during the day?

 

[tigerdragon]

Did you recently change to led? If so try reducing white % down to say around 25-30% then bring up slowly so as to allow corals to acclimate. I run led and have polyp extension on all coral and even better on some that i didnt have under t5

 

[miggs76]

I've had the radion pro for over 2 years now

 

[currentking]

I have great polyp extension on mine. I am only running at 45% max for an hour a day and average 40% the rest

 

[miggs76]

I have great polyp extension on mine. I am only running at 45% max for an hour a day and average 40% the rest

Are you running a template or a custom program? How long a photoperiod? How far are your lights above the water line? Thanks in advance.

 

[currentking]

Are you running a template or a custom program? How long a photoperiod? How far are your lights above the water line? Thanks in advance.

My tank is 18" deep and lights are 9" above water line. I'm running a custom program on my apex. 10am-9pm. The last 1.5 hours are actinics with no white. I ramp up with 10k for the first 4 hours then 14k for about 2 hours then 20k

 

[miggs76]

well I've shortened the photoperiod and went with the radiant program that will max out at 65%. I get nice colors, but even after a few weeks I really don't see polyps out during the day, just at night.

 

[heathd.hd]

When do you feed your tank? This might play a small role also.

 

[miggs76]

Feed at 330pm everyday and also usually around 8pm

 

[heathd.hd]

Possibly there going after nutrients more in the evening?

 

[miggs76]

Possibly there going after nutrients more in the evening?

I dunno. My purple stylo and a few of my other sps have massive polyp extension at all times. It is just the acros that won't extend during the day. My best guess is that they don't like the intense beams of light. I have a few friends with LEDs and for acros they seem to see the same thing. Not much extension during the day, but good extension at night.

 

[stoneroller]

Simple experiment could be done. Add a panel of glass/acrylic to diffuse the "intense beam of light".

 

[Tek]

First rule out a nipping fish.
Second I have had issues with too much LED intensity inhibiting PE.

For example my mille had PE at the shaded side but top side was retracted during the day. My LEDs are not my main lighting but I use them for sunrise/sunset and to extend my tank viewing hours before and after the MH. I reduced all my LEDs to 60% peak from 100% and within 2 weeks the same mille now has PE all around.

A few of my frags which only encrusted or did not grow at all have began to show new growth vertically.

 

[duke4130]

Sounds like you have your light turned up too high

 

[jvb89]

I was having issues with a couple prices of mine also, I cranked up my flow in the tank and saw vast improvement in all pieces and even better extension on the stuff I thought was already awesome. I have 2 Kessel a360we's.

 

[miggs76]

I have an MP40 and an MP10 on a 2 ft cube. I think I have the flow cranked up pretty high. The radiant mode just peaks at 65% and stays there for less than a hour. The rest of the day is just a bell curve. I'm seeing polyps barely trying to peak out during the day, but still no extension. I guess I could bring it down a few percent.