Star polyps not extending

[The River Reef]

My green star polyps are not extending much more than 1/4". When I see pics of them they look much longer. What causes them not to extend? The color has improved since placing them in my tank. This makes me feel my LED light is bright enough. I have little flow on them. Would that make them not extend? How long should they be?

 

[onefish]

could we rule out alk, cal and mag? what are those readings?

 

[FinsUp!]

Mine are like that too, and they took a while to open. The ones I had in my 90 never really extended much more than 1/4"-3/8" either. Maybe some just aren't as long as others? Or maybe you and I have the same problem... Mine look healthy and open and close daily, they're just not long and flowy like pictures I've seen.

My alk is 9, calcium is 450. Still trying to decide which mag test to get.

 

[stingythingy45]

You need to check alk.

 

[The River Reef]

I just purchased a calcium test and have not tested yet... I will check that ASAP. I have ALK, but it is a stick test and need to buy something better. While the subject is here, what are the preferred kits for the readings you listed? I will get the tests done and post where I am at.

 

[danzig]

i have massive flow on mine and they have very long polyp extension

 

[jamesdong009]

I haven't kept GSP for some time now but I would make sure you're alkalinity levels are stable. If you can, test it for a few days at the same time and see if you get the same results. FWIW, I use Elos, Sera, and a Hanna pocket photometer just to make sure my numbers are right.