Retracted polyps. Poor lighting?

[Passedyouby]

Ive had this guy about 3 weeks and when originally putting him in my tank i broke off a piece and decided to put it somewhere else in my tank.

Over the past 6 days the larger piece has been doing worse and worse. Im not sure if its not getting enough light, or if i have the flow incorrect. Im still learning this tank and playing with both factors.

Do SPS polyps retrace when not enough light? I didnt expect that, but it appears thats whats going on.

 

[SudzFD]

I’m no expert, and honestly don’t know, but based on the depth of your tank, I would think lighting could very well be an issue.

what kind of light do you have?

I know that useful light drops off very quickly everyFoot you go down. Very cool tank, but might be tough for coral.

 

[heifinator]

To me this looks like more than a lighting issue. Have you checked your Po4/Nitrate levels recently? Don't chase polyp extension on SPS. There are a lot of variables and it isn't really an indication of health quality.

I've got sps growing fast with no PE, and others with lots of PE.

That being said, it looks like from the pictures that its a really deep tank, so lighting could be a factor but it looks like that sps pictures is dying off.

 

[Passedyouby]

Thanks for the replies.

@SudzFD - yes! Lighting is tricky! Im running a Kessil 360NE. The narrow version of the WE, for more penetration. Plus i run the light 3in off the surface. Not the most aesthetically pleasing, but does help get light down there.

Thanks for the tank comment!

@heifinator - i just ran out of reagents for those tests, but i have been keeping up on water changes (2 changes 15% each the past two sundays). Below is a pic of my more recent tests.

Interesting about your sps health and polyps extension not being related. In this case i have half (broken off part) very healthy and the main part looking unhappy. Would the wrong flow cause this? Or is it have to be chemistry/light?

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

What in the world am I looking at? What are the tank dimensions and what light are you using?

 

[DMG Reef]

That's a montipora digitata. I've kept it in both high light and lower light on the sand bed.

It looks like half of the bigger piece has died (the part that's gray). You could frag the part that still has color and mount it somewhere else.

What are your alk and calcium levels? Stable alkalinity is important for digitata (or any SPS actually).

 

[fishguy242]

hi that would make an excellent seahorse habitat!!!!

 

[tstar]

What a unique tank!!! I think I would mount a light sidewise on it if you want to keep light dependent coral lower in that baby...

An interesting coincidence I'm sure but I unintentionally fragged a digi and the piece that broke off is thriving while the original (base) piece is declining. It's growing but has poor polyp extension.

Tim

 

[ScottR]

Just my opinion, not the proper tank for corals as lighting will be a huge issue. I can see keeping non photosynthetic corals in there however. But it looks like you have a lot 24” under which will receive such very little PAR.

 

[Passedyouby]

What in the world am I looking at? What are the tank dimensions and what light are you using?

Ha. Yeah. Its a lot to take in! Its somewhere around 12in front to back, 22in wide, and 53 or so in tall. The insert is also the overflow, think of a herbie system without a wier. Running a kessil 360NE

 

[Passedyouby]

That's a montipora digitata. I've kept it in both high light and lower light on the sand bed.

It looks like half of the bigger piece has died (the part that's gray). You could frag the part that still has color and mount it somewhere else.

What are your alk and calcium levels? Stable alkalinity is important for digitata (or any SPS actually).

Ah! Yes! Thank you. Couldnt remember what it was.
Currently at 9.5alk and 427 calc. I did have my alk a little high (11.2dkh) 2 weeks ago and have been Slowly bringing it back down to my target of 9.5.

 

[Passedyouby]

Just my opinion, not the proper tank for corals as lighting will be a huge issue. I can see keeping non photosynthetic corals in there however. But it looks like you have a lot 24” under which will receive such very little PAR.

Yes, its been a learning curve!! My acans love the bottom, my elegance has been the sand for a few months, and ive had others who are very happy on the bottom shelf. This is my first go at SPS, but you're right, they are NOT happy down low!

 

[Passedyouby]

Moved him up last night. Broke another piece off smh.. 24 hours later hes looking better already! Lighting, my friends, is gonna be key with these guys..

PS had to post the first picture i took! Little photobomber!! Haha

 

[Passedyouby]

While i have everyone... heres a few other pictures of what i have in the tank. Everything else is growing and happy at their current depths. Hopefully this will give everyone an idea of how much light is present in my tank.

Suggestions on what i can add on each level? Keep in mind anything below the main shelf i cannot access without a long grabber, so anything that will grow too quickly or will need maintenance cannot go too low.

 

[DMG Reef]

Wow! Everything is looking great. I don't think you can go wrong with adding more acans. Some of my acans are shaded but keep growing new heads. They require very little light.

 

[Passedyouby]

Side note. Issue with apex and lighting connectivity. If anyone is familiar with apex and kessil i would appreciate the feedback

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