Why do my corals look way bigger/better when all flow is off?

[Frizzy reefnewb]

I know it’s bad but when there’s no current at all my corals open up like real big just wondering why

 

[TuxUrchin07]

Maybe your flow is too high

 

[Garf]

Gasping for breathe

 

[ZoWhat]

Stretching out to absorb more light... at least zoas palys do that

 

[Frizzy reefnewb]

Maybe your flow is too high

I have nothing ...I run the top power head and that’s it I have another one I put on for like a hour it really gets them moving they all retract it’s all lps corals

 

[TuxUrchin07]

I have nothing ...I run the top power head and that’s it I have another one I put on for like a hour it really gets them moving they all retract it’s all lps corals

How big is your tank and what’s your powerhead?

 

[Frizzy reefnewb]

Stretching out

How big is your tank and what’s your powerhead?

72 gallon and tbh no idea I had someone put it in I had no idea what I was doing ...the top right corner the long power head I guess it’s called not the one below it I never run it my clowns host it so I leave it in there but the one on top is usually the only flow running

 

[Frizzy reefnewb]

But when I turn that off and there’s literally no current I notice even with high light intensity on they really pop more even with color just thought it was weird

 

[Garf]

Weird yes, healthy, doubtful.

 

[Jon's Reef]

Do you run a constant current or do you vary it? Mine seem happiest swaying back and forth from a short wave type current.

 

[TuxUrchin07]

Hmm does it have power percentage control?

 

[dhnguyen]

Can't make out much of anything from that photo.
But maybe you should point your powerhead upwards so as to not blast the LPS with flow.