Acropora polyp extension

[Nor'easter Reefer]

Just curious, as im new to acropora. I have a few acros that ALWAYS have a lot of extension. I have some acros that always have some visible polyps but the amount varies depending on the day. Then I have others that sometimes have some visible polyps but thats usually the exception not the rule. Just curious, what everyones thoughts are as far as polyp extension. Im under the assumption that chasing polyp extension is similar to chasing numbers with water chemistry. You can try, but it probably makes no difference and if everything's happy, you should leave well enough alone. Enlighten me please!

 

[exnisstech]

I'm new as well and find acros mysterious. I have several that started as frags and are growing into nice mini colonies. Some look like wooly bears others I rarely if ever seen much extension yet they are all growing well. My thoughts are as long as they're growing well I'm not going to worry about it but I don't know if that's the right attitude or not so I'm tagging along.

This one I've never seen polyps on yet it's grown from a tiny frag and it's laying down a new base on the rock above it. The mille always has a lot waving.

This one is always fuzzy and also from a little frag.

I have others that are kinda in the middle

 

[Reefer Matt]

I have some acros with polyps out all day, and seemingly some only at night. I haven’t chased polyp extension, but notice they come out more when I leave the tanks alone, and keep up on my maintenance. Doing water changes and keeping the gyres and pumps clean (to keep flow up) seems to help in my situation. Then I’ll just clean the glass once a week and try to keep my hands out.

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

I have some acros with polyps out all day, and seemingly some only at night. I haven’t chased polyp extension, but notice they come out more when I leave the tanks alone, and keep up on my maintenance. Doing water changes and keeping the gyres and pumps clean (to keep flow up) seems to help in my situation. Then I’ll just clean the glass once a week and try to keep my hands out.

Based on this response, would you say lack of flow is cause for less polyp extension then?

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

@exnisstech I have a blue slimer that looks very similar to your first Pic that I only see polyps on a rare occasion.

Side note, I need to take some current daylight pictures. I have so many evening blue pictures but this is literally the only picture I have of this one. And unfortunately Idk if its grown or not. I think its getting more.. texture?

OK, are the cup like structures called coralites? Where the polyps retract into?

 

[Reefer Matt]

Based on this response, would you say lack of flow is cause for less polyp extension then?

To a point, but too much flow may also close them up if they are directly getting blasted. In my sps ranks, I have the gyres moving the water around the coral, then the currents collide with each other from one end to the other. I look at the open polyps to make sure I see them moving in different directions.

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

To a point, but too much flow may also close them up if they are directly getting blasted. In my sps ranks, I have the gyres moving the water around the coral, then the currents collide with each other from one end to the other. I look at the open polyps to make sure I see them moving in different directions.

I have 4 wave makers going right now. But I think i want more haha. Lighter flow but from many angles lol

 

[exnisstech]

OK, are the cup like structures called coralites? Where the polyps retract into?

That's above my pay grade lol.

I use the back wall of GSP to keep an eye on flow. I have two MP40s on the same wall at 70% and the GSP gets whipped around on pretty good.

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

That's above my pay grade lol.

I use the back wall of GSP to keep an eye on flow. I have two MP40s on the same wall at 70% and the GSP gets whipped around on pretty good.

What sized tank? I got a mp40, one of the large hygger gyres, and 2 large sdw jebao(forget the number) my problem is I have sand... im pushing the limits before I get a sandstorm

 

[Troylee]

Don’t pay much attention to it.. I have super hairy ones to ones I never see a polyp but they all grow well! If at nighttime you don’t see the white filaments coming out of the tips after the lights been out a few hours then worry.

 

[Reefer Matt]

OK, are the cup like structures called coralites? Where the polyps retract into?

Yes.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corallite

 

[Ebob954]

Just curious, as im new to acropora. I have a few acros that ALWAYS have a lot of extension. I have some acros that always have some visible polyps but the amount varies depending on the day. Then I have others that sometimes have some visible polyps but thats usually the exception not the rule. Just curious, what everyones thoughts are as far as polyp extension. Im under the assumption that chasing polyp extension is similar to chasing numbers with water chemistry. You can try, but it probably makes no difference and if everything's happy, you should leave well enough alone. Enlighten me please!

Flow usually helps .

 

[Dburr1014]

Just curious, as im new to acropora. I have a few acros that ALWAYS have a lot of extension. I have some acros that always have some visible polyps but the amount varies depending on the day. Then I have others that sometimes have some visible polyps but thats usually the exception not the rule. Just curious, what everyones thoughts are as far as polyp extension. Im under the assumption that chasing polyp extension is similar to chasing numbers with water chemistry. You can try, but it probably makes no difference and if everything's happy, you should leave well enough alone. Enlighten me please!

I'm new as well and find acros mysterious. I have several that started as frags and are growing into nice mini colonies. Some look like wooly bears others I rarely if ever seen much extension yet they are all growing well. My thoughts are as long as they're growing well I'm not going to worry about it but I don't know if that's the right attitude or not so I'm tagging along.

This one I've never seen polyps on yet it's grown from a tiny frag and it's laying down a new base on the rock above it. The mille always has a lot waving.

This one is always fuzzy and also from a little frag.


I have others that are kinda in the middle

I'm with exnisstech.
I'm new also, only 10ish years growing acro's with this current system. I have seen lots of PE to zero and everywhere in between. All of them grow and look good so I don't really care much.
The only time I care is when acro start to brown up, then I do some digging to find out why.

 

[Science/G]

A few drops daily of Polyplab Polyp Booster, before ReefRoids has worked wonders for me. My Lobophyllia go full on extension a few minutes after the aminos are added. My Anacropora looks like this now!