green stary polyps not opening up...

[bimm3rb0y]

what are the reasons for gsp's to not open up? i've had mine for about a month and a half already and they open up fine with the lights on and retract when the lights are off as usual but a couple days ago it just decided to retract while the lights were still on. i'm starting to worry about it, my water parameters are ok though. is this just a phase that its going through?

 

[renogaw]

yea lol, no one knows why.
mine looked decent, then HORRID, and are now beautiful

 

[bimm3rb0y]

ok so its normal for it to suddenly just retract right?

 

[big]

Originally Posted by bimm3rb0y
http:///forum/post/2503893
ok so its normal for it to suddenly just retract right?
Yep the weeds just do it. Sometimes for a week or more.

 

[darkjedv]

Did you change your lighting or move the rock they are on?

 

[bimm3rb0y]

no i didn't but i decided to move it from my sandbed onto a rock since this is my opportunity to do so...

 

[bimm3rb0y]

how quickly does the purple mat spread?

 

[big]

As to how quickly they spread a number of factors may need to be taking into account. lighting ,depth, positioning, and flow to think of a few issues involved. But one thing for sure is that giving time and good conditions they spread almost exponentially in any direction they can.
Here is a little experiment with the weeds growing on a near vertical surface. Taken over a two month period. First shot is the mat they where taken from on Jan, 10th, second is a tiny bit from the mat glued to another rock. Third in Feb 4th, and the last one is today Mar. 6th. And I do not think this little bit has grown very fast, compared to others I have fragged.
What I am working at is applying tiny patches to the back glass. Figured this would answer how far apart to place the weed patches.
Not too hard to tell that being retired leaves one with far too much free time on their hands............ Warren

 

[bimm3rb0y]

how do i tell if my gsp is doing ok or not because it hasn't been opening up at all...

 

[uberlink]

How is your salinity? Does it fluctuate a lot? If so, invest in a good auto top off system...that may halp your star polyps flourish. I found that mine hated it before I got an ATO.

 

[bimm3rb0y]

my salinity is about 1.022...should i try to bring it up some more and see what happens?

 

[renogaw]

Originally Posted by bimm3rb0y
http:///forum/post/2510473
my salinity is about 1.022...should i try to bring it up some more and see what happens?
yes, but try getting a refractometer and reading your specific gravity. you want 35ppm, which depending on your temperature is about 1.025-1.026 salinity.
if you're using a hydrometer you'll never really get a good reading, since salinity is based on water temp. (same salt level will read higher at lower temps and lower at higher temps because it is dissolved better.)

 

[kynekke]

Mine are soooo touchy, if a fish swims too close or a hermit sends waterflow it's way it retracts.

 

[uberlink]

Is there a lot of flow on them? Like a powerhead nearby?

 

[bimm3rb0y]

yeah theres a good medium to high flow...some are actually starting to pop out right now...

 

[uberlink]

Acutally, I was going to say not to give them too much flow. It irritates them. Mine like pretty gentle flow. Just general current in the tank.

 

[bimm3rb0y]

oh ok...i'll try that and see what happens...feeding wise, is there anything i could do to feed them directly?

 

[big]

No feeding needed the little weeds do just fine on their own.
One of the first saltwater books I can remember having, published I think in the 80's or early 90's, commented on the flow for GSPs as being like a wheat field flowing back and forth with a stiff breeze. I think it still hold true today as to the amount of flow............. Warren

 

[uberlink]

I think that's right. They need some flow--like a powerhead a foot or two away...but not a powerhead nearby pointed directly at them. In my experience, they close up if exposed to too great a flow.