What are GSP sensitive too???

[ScottT1980]

Well, I have been trying to pinpoint this "ghost" in my tank for quite some time. My GSPs stay retracted quite a bit in my tank and have been doing so for the past couple of weeks. They have been extending their polyps maybe twice a week but most of the time they remain retracted. All my levels seem to be normal and all other tank inhabitants and corals seem to be doing quite well. In fact, the GSPs seem to still be growing.

So, what the heck could be my problem (I know, kind of a loaded and vague question)? I have a grounding probe, my ALK and Ca levels fluctuate a bit but I keep them check. I do a 5-10% water change every week. All nitrogenous levels are 0. They are pretty high in my tank and my bulbs are pretty old (going on about 10 months, new ones come in this week). FWIW, I have a 55 with 440 W VHOs. The GSPs are right near a PH although they are not getting much direct flow. They have been in this area for quite some time and are located fairly close from my sump/fuge return (although again, not much direct flow). Interestingly, I have BSP that are placed right in between the two GSP colonies. Often times, when the BSP are extended, the GSP polyps are retracted. Could it be a chemical warfare thing? The funny thing is, I got the initial colony with both GSP and BSP on them and so I thought the two would be able to coexist well.

Any ideas or do I need to actually test and give some actual levels?


Please disregard my poor grammar in the title
Thanks
Scott T.

[mwrager]

Take a look at the base of the GSP, some time a parasite will attack them and that could be one problem. Flat worm?

[ScottT1980]

I do have your typical red flatworm and they do sometimes congregate around the area, in fact, I saw quite a few on the GSP just now but they aren't parasitic are they? Wouldn't a soft coral parasite be clear (if it were a flatworm)?

FWIW, I just siphoned the heck out of the area with a turkey baster, I will see if they extend their polyps after this...

Take er easy
Scott T.

[mps9506]

Scott,
How long have the polyps been in the tank?
About a year ago I put some GSP's in my tank, when they went from VHO lighting to the metal halide they didn't open up for like two or three weeks except right when the lights first came on, then they would close up for the rest of the day. After a while they started to stay open all the time.
So maybe they went from lower light to higher light, and just don't like the move?
Just a thought...
Mike

[ScottT1980]

Well, one of the frags (the mized frag) was introduced in April of last year while the other was from Teri's tank and was introduced around March of last year. I had a big rockwork rearrangement about 4 months ago and this has become the final resting spot for all star polyps. Interestingly, all green polyps will remain retracted the majority of the time (not just Teri's frag or the other frag)...

FWIW, I blew off the corals and only the BSP began to let their polyps out. So, I am assuming it is not a parasitic thing although I will say that the GSP only grows in certain directions and has unique margains. Its weird I tell you...

BTW mps, glad to see you made your way over here. Hopefully I will be in your neck of the woods soon enough...

Take er easy
Scott T.

[jks1]

Mine are kinda finicky too. After basting or any disturbance the GSPs will remain closed sometimes for days. Mine seem to be growing as well. I know that didnt help, just wanted to let you know mine do it too--

[mps9506]

Maybe there is some chemical warfare going on from something else? Do you have any leathers that might be "upstream" somehow from the GSP's? Maybe some LPS with long sweepers are reaching them?
Maybe you could run some carbon for a while and see what happens.
Mike

[Travis]

Mine go through weird cycles where they do that too. I think these corals have a very prolonged shedding cycle. Mine always come out of it looking like a million bucks though.