[Nessa]

Hi - I am new to this forum but would very much appreciate some help!
Just recently (over the last 2-3 months) my sarcophytons have just not opened. I have 4 specimens and although they all look very healthy their polyps are just not showing. I have also quite recently (and the timing could coincide) replaced the halogen lamps above the tank. All my other soft corals are doing really well and the tank in general seems fine.
I am really quite concerned because the sarcophytons used to be glorious and quite a feature of the tank.

It is a fairly large tank -1242litres (327 gallons) and have been established about 2 1/2 years.

(During this time one of the sarcophytons has successfully sloughed - and all seems as per normal).

Could the addition of 5 stripeys (Microcanthus strigatus) be a cause?

[Lance]

The new bulb could have caused this or the new corals. Whene adding new bulb its best to reduce lighting for a wekk or so and then bring it back up. Additionl flow can help them open sooner. I guess they will open after a few days or a week or so. And be sure there not close to each other. Many of these coral are easy to frag and if its large its even better.
Also with the new additions there food source could have lowered. This might help.GL..

www.asira.org - Coral CareÂ*

[Nessa]

Thanks Lance for your help - but the sarcophytons have been in the tank for months (the last addition maybe 8 months ago) and the lights have been up now almost 5 months. The sarcophytons haven't opened in about 2 - 3 months. Before that all were wonderful. When you mention food - what type should I add?

[Lance]

Small meaty bits.Cyclops or brine or in between. You dont need to add extra in a well fead tank. Just keep the diet well mixed with 5 or 6 types of food from flake to mysis. And feeding less more often helps. Along with good water circulation so food passes by them for capture.

These coral go threw a shedding period and can stay closed for awile before they open.

[Nessa]

I do feed the tank with mysis, spirulena and brine. Might try adding a bit more because of the greedy stripeys. Guess I will just have to wait and see - it has just seemed such a long time for them to be shut! Water flow is good - have been trying playing around with this too - to no avail.

[Lance]

Whats used for water flow and how how are the placed?

[Nessa]

I have two older style continual stream pumps and one tunze nanostream. Two pumps one side of the tank and the nanostream on the other.

[My2heartboys]

Nessa, have you tried blowing on them with a turkey baster? Sometimes that helps mine open up. Have you checked your nitrates? Sometimes high nitrates can cause this as well.

What kind of filter feed food are you using?

Anne

[Nessa]

Ok Thank you Anne! - How do I go about checking nitrate levels - never done this before. Don't think the turkey baster will do much!

[My2heartboys]

My suggestion would be to get a complete saltwater Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Test Kit. In it is a nitrate test, follow the instructions for the test. If you get the Reef Test Kit (yes, two different kits) you will have, between the two, a complete basic test kit with Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Ph, DKh, Calcium, Phosphate. All you need to do is follow the instructions for the different tests. IMHO, Aquarium Pharmaceuticals are very easy tests to run....even for those not used to running liquid tests.

You can also get dip strips for this different tests, but the color changes are very hard to decipher.

Anne