Green Star Polyp Won’t Open

[Nate Chalk]

I think spend more time researching tank start ups and talking to people before trying to tackle a reef tank.

Best advice I can give. Keep the rock wet, heated and light off.

And research and Learn. We've all failed.

 

[Reefering1]

May as well leave those poor fish in there to feed the tank...

 

[jabberwock]

May as well leave those poor fish in there to feed the tank...

Actually not a bad idea...

 

[MnFish1]

FWIW - GSP are very tolerant - if you look at my tank thread you can see - that 3 foot piece of GSP suffered innumerable things. After a power failure - ours did not reopen for 3 months. If you can - smelling the coral can help - if it smells dead - it is

 

[Matt Bravo]

If you decide it’s not for you then that’s okay, but don’t quit over one bad experience. I think if you describe your process here someone could definitely help point you in the right direction.

 

[Nate Chalk]

If you decide it’s not for you then that’s okay, but don’t quit over one bad experience. I think if you describe your process here someone could definitely help point you in the right direction.

Yes

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

Tanks need time to mature, often systems can take 6+ months of running empty before they're even capable of supporting life. Sorry about your clowns, but things like this happen (God knows this is how my first tank went) though it's important to realize that setbacks are part of the learning experience. Here's my advice for you. Let the tank run empty for a few months, don't add anything living and monitor parameters (DO NOT use API test kits, they're often unreliable for parameters like ammonia, nitrates ect, use red sea, salifert or Hannah instead) take it slow, add things gradually over the course of a few months, start off with things like soft corals, snails, hermit crabs ect. The tank is too small for clownfish, though things like barnicle blennies, watchman gobies/pistol shrimp pairs would be perfect. Don't overfeed, check parameters weekly. Don't use swing arm hydrometers for salinity, use a refractometer. Use RODI water (NOT tap water) for the tank, talk with local reefkeepers and ask questions on the forum to build your knowelage. Also i recommend to not shop/ask advice at chain stores like petco, petsmart ect (while some of them may have knowelageable employees and a good fish section many of them unfortunately dont) instead find a good local fish store and ask there. When I first got into this hobby, I jumped in too quickly and didn't know enough for success, and things definitely happened that were avoidable if I spent more time knowing more beforehand. Just take it slow, there's no rush. Also get a wavemaker for the tank, you really need some flow in there.


Good luck!

 

[Matt Bravo]

I agree, you can take a test from tanks for a while but let it run! That way when you decide to start it up again you can just do research and add life when your ready to.