question about my green star polyps

[vanillaprice]

I have had these about three weeks and they do not seem to be opening up like they used to. I have them in a 75 gallon tank with 192 watt power compacts. They are in the center of the tank in the sand bed. It looks like the ones on the sides and the ones that are shaded look and open up the best. The ones that are in the shade look to be the brightest color. Should I move them to a more shaded part of the tank? I have read that they need light? There is hair algae growing on the very top of the rock and is almost starting to cover them. Any suggestions?

 

[vanillaprice]

The hair algae that I was talking about was from the tank cycling and the critters and starting to take care of it all except the small amount that is starting to form on top of the polyps. It is in direct current from my power head and is under both of the power compacts due to them overlapping in the middle of the tank. My main concern is that the ones that are shaded are looking the best and the ones on top are the ones that do not open up.

 

[SPC]

My GSP are under 880 watts of light and I must trim them often or they would take over all the rocks. I agree with Anemonebuff, you have a water quality issue and not enough light on the GSP.
Steve

 

[Rich-n-poor]

Hey steve.....

You want to sent me some of them star polyups thru the mail in a thermos ? I will pay the shipping and maybe include either some purple shrooms or a ricordia or two as trade ?

rich
_________________
Honda HR-V

 

[Anonymous]

Being you have hair algae suggests to me that your water quality is not what it should be. Hair algae starts out very small and begins to grow on the polyps and smothers them. Next you see the hair algae growing above the polyps. IMO star polyps are not as easy too keep as most think and as many books suggest.

First,I would blow off any detrius and algae from the polyps. Then I would put them in an area with good water flow and closer to the lights. Star polyps can live in low light but seem,in most cases to prefer high intensities.

These same nutrients that cause hair algae can have negative impact on many coral species. Star polyps do not fare well in high nutrient environments.

 

[vanillaprice]

^^^