GSP (Green Star Polyp) not opening??

[higher99]

Hey R2R,

Quick question. I picked up a small GSP frag yesterday. It looked fine at the store but it definitely had a good amount of algae on it, some bubble algae and a bit of hair algae. I did a coral dip and then drip acclimated it for about an hour to two hours. During that process I manually removed as much algae as I could by hand, but I didn’t have a soft toothbrush at the time so I know there’s still some leftover detritus and algae on the frag and plug.

Since putting it in the tank, it really hasn’t opened at all. I can see the little bulbs but no green polyps have extended yet. I watched a few videos and heard GSP likes stronger flow, so I increased the flow on my Nero overnight. Flow is definitely strong now, but it still hasn’t opened today. I also noticed a couple hermit crabs walking all over it, which I’m guessing is because they’re picking at the leftover detritus. I’m just not sure if them trampling it is actually hurting the coral or just irritating it.

Right now the frag is sitting on the sandbed. I haven’t mounted it to a rock yet. My question is, should I take it out and gently brush off the remaining detritus with a soft toothbrush, or should I let the hermits do their thing and then mount it once it’s cleaner? Also curious for future corals if my acclimation process sounds okay or if I should change anything. And realistically, how long does it usually take for GSP to open after being added?

Appreciate any advice, still learning and trying to do things right.

 

[Yates273]

Don’t worry it will open. That stuff is indestructible. You can leave it out of the tank for hours throw it back in and it will survive. May just be a little irritated now. Trust me it will open in time no matter where you put it

 

[Yates273]

Also it does spread fairly quick so keep it away from anything you don’t want it on

 

[exnisstech]

Mine always stay close for days after being handled.

 

[DietDr.Kelp]

It's not unusual for them to be "grumpy" after being handled. I'd leave it alone for another couple days and see if there's any movement. I have mine in a pico where the pieces are constantly getting trampled by my halloween hermits, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

I'm usually cautious and drip acclimate most of my stuff as well, but you can cut down the time if you had it going for two hours.

 

[hardcorn77]

It took mine a month or so to really take off but once it did there’s no stopping it. Some softies take a while to adjust before opening up.

 

[Sam7]

Yep...give time

 

[MC Blowfish]

I've moved mine a couple times and each time it takes a day or two to open up.

 

[higher99]

Don’t worry it will open. That stuff is indestructible. You can leave it out of the tank for hours throw it back in and it will survive. May just be a little irritated now. Trust me it will open in time no matter where you put it

Alright thanks for the headsup! I might get a test kit on standby to make sure my water parameters are good too.

 

[Yates273]

Definitely would want to test your water parameters to see where you’re at

 

[hardcorn77]

Alright thanks for the headsup! I might get a test kit on standby to make sure my water parameters are good too.

Are you just doing softies in the tank or do you have lps or sps too? If your just doing softies you really only need to test salinity and nutrients. Water changes should easily take care of the rest but I would possibly dose some trace elements once things start to take off.

 

[higher99]

Update: I seen two polyps open this morning!

I’m looking to get it mounted onto my rock structure, should I do it now before it opens completely?

I’m just curious if I disturb it again, will it take another few days to open up?

 

[higher99]

Alright thanks for the headsup! I might get a test kit on standby to make sure my water parameters are good too.

Are you just doing softies in the tank or do you have lps or sps too? If your just doing softies you really only need to test salinity and nutrients. Water changes should easily take care of the rest but I would possibly dose some trace elements once things start to take off.

Softies to start for sure, I want to kinda get my feet wet a little before really diving into it. Will I still need advance equipment like auto doser pumps for zoas/ gsp / mushrooms?

 

[higher99]

Alright thanks for the headsup! I might get a test kit on standby to make sure my water parameters are good too.

Are you just doing softies in the tank or do you have lps or sps too? If your just doing softies you really only need to test salinity and nutrients. Water changes should easily take care of the rest but I would possibly dose some trace elements once things start to take off.

Softies to start for sure, I want to kinda get my feet wet a little before really diving into it. Will I still need advance equipment like auto doser pumps for zoas/ gsp / mushrooms?

I really do like the toadstool leathers too. Maybe that’ll be my LPS to start later down the line

 

[hardcorn77]

Softies to start for sure, I want to kinda get my feet wet a little before really diving into it. Will I still need advance equipment like auto doser pumps for zoas/ gsp / mushrooms?

I just do weekly water changes for my softies and when things start to take off I’ll start a little trace elements.

 

[hardcorn77]

I really do like the toadstool leathers too. Maybe that’ll be my LPS to start later down the line

I just started 1 ml of all for reef daily manually when I feed on this tank. It’s been running over a year on just a 10% water change weekly.

 

[TX_REEF]

As others have said, it does not like being handled, however, I would not be concerned unless it stays completely closed for a week or more.

 

[higher99]

I just started 1 ml of all for reef daily manually when I feed on this tank. It’s been running over a year on just a 10% water change weekly.

Looks good! I want my zoas side by side like that too. What is that tree looking coral in the far back of the tank?

 

[hardcorn77]

That’s a blue colt

Looks good! I want my zoas side by side like that too. What is that tree looking coral in the far back of

 

[higher99]

Update: The GSP has been opening up and it’s about a week later. I’ve noticed they tend to retract as soon as the lights go off at night. Not sure if anyone else has similar experience with corals retracting once lights are off.

I’ve also noticed my hermit card trample the frag all the time. Have some reef puddy and super glue in the way and plan to relocate them onto the rock work.