whats wrong with these star polyps

[parkerl5586]

we got a decent sized star polyp about a month ago. at first they were doing great. they opened real nicely and started to encrust beyond the plug we got it on... well a couple weeks later they wont open. :-( we dont know whats wrong. we thought they should have no problem growing and they were doin awesome at first. we havent changed anything since we got it. and we do regular water changes.... whats going on HELP

[LowersMyBP]

they will all ask, so you will have to do them....run your tests.
Salinity, Ammonia, Nitrite, nitrates...after that, alk and CA...

there was a thread a few months back about someone saying that GSP was the ultimate water parameter checker...when it is 'off' something is 'off' with the parameters.

Happy testing.

[parkerl5586]

also apparently i still struggle with using this site because i'm over 21 and i didnt understand that this forum was for people younger than that and i dont know how to delete it

[parkerl5586]

we did the test and everythings good. thats what we did first thing

[jjwhiteboy]

I would love to help....list your parameters please.

Nitrate=
nitrite=
ammonia=
salinity=
calcium=
magnesium=
alkalinity=
ph=

what kind of test kits are you using? what size is the tank? what kind of lighting do you have?

[Blownsvt]

Sometimes they just take a break. Iworried about mine as well one time after they were doing great but then suddenly didn't open one day. A couple days later after changing nothing they were back to normal again.

[Thle009]

My first thought would be either gravity/salinity a little bit high, or alkalinity a bit off. Other wise are they locate near an anemone, frog spawn or other corals that could sting them.

[Matt D.]

there was a thread a few months back about someone saying that GSP was the ultimate water parameter checker...when it is 'off' something is 'off' with the parameters.
Agreed.

Please post your test results! Telling us "they're good" is not good enough.

[David Grigor]

I wouldn't worry about it. If its still on a plug, pick it up and give it the rub test, if you can rub the mat part and it still has some rubbery feel and doesn't start to fall apart then it's still okay. If it basically disentrigrates and flakes off when you rub then it's toast and should be thrown out.

Likely will open back up. Aso while your at it either swish it around or use a turkey baster and blow off the debris that tends to collect on the mat part.

These things are so hardy, I've had some on LR that was let sit in a container just a powerhead for circulation and no light for 6+ months and was still alive.


PS: Be sure to get all your homework done before playing with your tank. ;)

[reef.saltwater]

Agree with above people comments. They are very hardy, but ya sometimes they take time to open. Mine was did,nt open for a week or so and then it opened and grew like weed.

[reeflover]

Assuming water parameters are all within normal limits, and the "skin" is still rubbery and not pealing apart, my guess is one of your fish (or inverts) may be picking at them causing them to retract into their tubes. Usually they do that at night and occasionally they do retract for a day or two for no great reason. If there are no other corals above or near them, and no algae growing on the colony, look to fish or inverts pestering them. Could even be a gramma dumping sand on top of them with excavating a home, or a hermit picking at algae growing on them.