Question for SPS keepers

[MikeG]

I was wondering what others experience was. I have always thought that my some of my acros don't have the best polyp extension and have noticed over time that all of my SPS have much better polyp extension at night. I have heard that in closed systems they tend to reverse this and they are out strickly in the daytime since that is when we feed.

Is this something that most people notice? Do you get better polyp extension after lights out?

Am I right in thinking that it is the zooanthellae that are used during the day for photosynthesis and that the polyps are used for what ever minimal filter feeding is done by SPS corals?

 

[JGard]

My SPS' are out more in the day, but I'm running a nano, as you've seen, so it's a lot different.

PS. that slimer frag I got from you way back when, I didn't see any polyp extension for like the first two or three months, but now it's out and doing very well.

 

[Liam]

mine show greater extension at night

 

[MikeG]

glad to hear it.

That is why I ask. I though in the wild the polyp extension was mainly at night. Just wondering if people see one or the other or if they are out all the time?

 

[RichConley]

Mine are out pretty much all the time....

 

[Greg Hiller]

I always see better expansion at night. This is also what you see on the natural reef, FWIW. The plankton comes out after dark, and that is what the corals are attempting to feed on, they also don't have to worry as much about being pecked at by polyp-eating fish.

 

[NateHanson]

Mine were always out more at night.

 

[mufflerguy]

Night for me too.

 

[Lam]

Another vote for night.

 

[agent6473]

The polyps get much longer at night on mine.

 

[mufflerguy]

Hey lam, I sent you a PM last year, I've seen you havent posted in a while, is everything OK? I have a full blown sps tank now for over a year, hows yours going?
Maybe we could trade some frags, I've got alot more than the last time I saw you.
Matt

 

[Aquaman_68]

Another vote for night.

Look who has showed up!!!! Nighty for me too

 

[steevareno]

Hey lam, I sent you a PM last year, I've seen you havent posted in a while, is everything OK? I have a full blown sps tank now for over a year, hows yours going?
Maybe we could trade some frags, I've got alot more than the last time I saw you.
Matt

I'd be interested in trading!

 

[mufflerguy]

Any pics?

 

[BigSmokeShowJOE]

I always see better expansion at night. This is also what you see on the natural reef, FWIW. The plankton comes out after dark, and that is what the corals are attempting to feed on, they also don't have to worry as much about being pecked at by polyp-eating fish.

same hear with mine and the ones at the store

 

[Lam]

Hey lam, I sent you a PM last year, I've seen you havent posted in a while, is everything OK? I have a full blown sps tank now for over a year, hows yours going?
Maybe we could trade some frags, I've got alot more than the last time I saw you.
Matt

I've got no room for new additions and been junking anything that's overgrown.

I have no patience for fragging/bagging anynmore

 

[mufflerguy]

Sounds like its time to start another tank, thats what i'm doing....