Star polyops

oceanreef · 01-21-2002, 12:13 PM

I would like some info on star polyops do they like water flow what kind of light and where to be placed in the tank? I have a 55 gal and have mushrooms,button polyops, and xenia.Everytime I purchase star polyops I have no luck. Can someone help..Water conditions are fine, maybe just not putting them in the right place..Thanks a concerned learner.OCEANREEF......

**scubadude** · 01-21-2002, 01:12 PM

Dont put them where they are full tilt on current but an ocassional blast on them is ok IME a nice moderate flow on them, and mid to lower light w/MH's and high lighting in VHO/PC's. I have heard some have success with periodic dosage of iodine too, however I have also heard that some have had their SP's die from dosing iodine...so who knows!? I have a freinds tank where they are so prolific that they have spawned many times in his tank and he keeps all the LFS's stocked

thezookeeper · 01-21-2002, 01:53 PM

Hi there. I have a bit different of opinion. From my experience and from everything I've seen, star polyps seem to thrive under moderate to somewhat heavy flow. In fact, mine hardly grew at all until I put them in a high flow area. You should see them now! I've never dosed iodine and both star polyps and xenia grow like weeds in my system. I do water changes though, so I'm sure my tank gets iodine from that. I do recommend varying wave patterns though. Not moderate current constantly. But a nice wave pattern is preferred. Again, this is my experience and believe me, I had trouble getting them to grow until I increased flow. As to placement, I have mine on my sandbed. But that's under 500watts of MH and 80watts of actinic. JME and HTH

Joanne

bongobrian · 01-21-2002, 01:54 PM

I agree that low to moderate light is optimal for start polyps. I have them growing in places with little to no flow, and also in places with high flow. I'd say that moderate to high flow is probably best for them although they should be just fine in areas with lower flow. One thing about star polyps is that they LOVE calcium. They utilize calcium to build their mat or skeleton. One more thing... what kind of fish do you have in your tank? make sure all of your fish are reef safe. If you have any fish such as an angel, then don't be surprised if the fish is eating your star polyps. This is probably what is happening in your tank since briarium are extremely hardy corals.

oceanreef · 01-21-2002, 03:10 PM

Thanks everyone for the info,I will work with all these ideas.And also to Bongobrian,to the question on what kind of fish I have, I have 2 damsels which I hate and have no idea how to get them out of my tank, except to take everything out and capture them and I assume to just leave them be. Also I have a cleaner shrimp Thanks again.OCEANREEF.

**kevinpo** · 01-22-2002, 12:22 AM

bongobrian,
The common name "Star Polyps" usually refers to the Family Tubiporide, Genus Pachyclavularia the usual species being vioacea that has the purple rubbery mat which can be peeled up and cut to start new colonies.

Briareum come from the Family Briareum I have the species stechei. The main difference is the mat. The mat in Briareum is tan or very light purple and forms fingers that stand upright. It will also kill gorgonians by encrusting over them. The polyps will also retract so the mat is flat vs the vioacea that retracts but leaves small bumps on the mat. I have both types.

Regards,
Kevin
Reference "Aquarium Corals" by Eric Borneman.
pg. 119, 120 and pg. 157, 158.

01-21-2002, 12:13 PM	#1
oceanreef Just Moved In Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: georgia Posts: 49	Star polyops I would like some info on star polyops do they like water flow what kind of light and where to be placed in the tank? I have a 55 gal and have mushrooms,button polyops, and xenia.Everytime I purchase star polyops I have no luck. Can someone help..Water conditions are fine, maybe just not putting them in the right place..Thanks a concerned learner.OCEANREEF......

01-21-2002, 01:53 PM	#3
thezookeeper Mayor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Pittsburgh,PA, USA Posts: 992	Hi there. I have a bit different of opinion. From my experience and from everything I've seen, star polyps seem to thrive under moderate to somewhat heavy flow. In fact, mine hardly grew at all until I put them in a high flow area. You should see them now! I've never dosed iodine and both star polyps and xenia grow like weeds in my system. I do water changes though, so I'm sure my tank gets iodine from that. I do recommend varying wave patterns though. Not moderate current constantly. But a nice wave pattern is preferred. Again, this is my experience and believe me, I had trouble getting them to grow until I increased flow. As to placement, I have mine on my sandbed. But that's under 500watts of MH and 80watts of actinic. JME and HTH Joanne __________________ "Life savings? Sure, it's that brightly lit object sitting in the livingroom."

01-21-2002, 01:54 PM	#4
bongobrian Mayor Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan Posts: 657	I agree that low to moderate light is optimal for start polyps. I have them growing in places with little to no flow, and also in places with high flow. I'd say that moderate to high flow is probably best for them although they should be just fine in areas with lower flow. One thing about star polyps is that they LOVE calcium. They utilize calcium to build their mat or skeleton. One more thing... what kind of fish do you have in your tank? make sure all of your fish are reef safe. If you have any fish such as an angel, then don't be surprised if the fish is eating your star polyps. This is probably what is happening in your tank since briarium are extremely hardy corals. __________________ Brian For those about to rock... I salute you! www.bongobrian.com Talk to me! aol: bongobrian78 msn: bongobrian@hotmail.com yahoo: bongobrian78

01-21-2002, 03:10 PM	#5
oceanreef Just Moved In Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: georgia Posts: 49	star polyops Thanks everyone for the info,I will work with all these ideas.And also to Bongobrian,to the question on what kind of fish I have, I have 2 damsels which I hate and have no idea how to get them out of my tank, except to take everything out and capture them and I assume to just leave them be. Also I have a cleaner shrimp Thanks again.OCEANREEF.

01-22-2002, 12:22 AM	#6
kevinpo Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Spokane Valley WA Posts: 2,460	bongobrian, The common name "Star Polyps" usually refers to the Family Tubiporide, Genus Pachyclavularia the usual species being vioacea that has the purple rubbery mat which can be peeled up and cut to start new colonies. Briareum come from the Family Briareum I have the species stechei. The main difference is the mat. The mat in Briareum is tan or very light purple and forms fingers that stand upright. It will also kill gorgonians by encrusting over them. The polyps will also retract so the mat is flat vs the vioacea that retracts but leaves small bumps on the mat. I have both types. Regards, Kevin Reference "Aquarium Corals" by Eric Borneman. pg. 119, 120 and pg. 157, 158. __________________ SPSguy On - On

01-21-2002, 01:12 PM	#2
scubadude Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 5,315	Dont put them where they are full tilt on current but an ocassional blast on them is ok IME a nice moderate flow on them, and mid to lower light w/MH's and high lighting in VHO/PC's. I have heard some have success with periodic dosage of iodine too, however I have also heard that some have had their SP's die from dosing iodine...so who knows!? I have a freinds tank where they are so prolific that they have spawned many times in his tank and he keeps all the LFS's stocked

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