Polyp Extension

[blkhawk10]

I wanted to know what everyone thinks is the best equation of factors (i.e. flow, light, food) to get full polyp extension?

 

[niftyjosh]

Flow hands down. I have seen tanks with perfect parameters, awesome lighting, and low flow have next to no extension while tanks with unstable parameters, mediocre lighting, and varying strong flow have full extension.

 

[secretreefer]

+1 flow is very important for an SPS tank. Also check for RB (redbugs) Polyp extension will be less with them irritating the coral.

 

[Thatgrimguy]

Flow hands down. I have seen tanks with perfect parameters, awesome lighting, and low flow have next to no extension while tanks with unstable parameters, mediocre lighting, and varying strong flow have full extension.

Well that type of "full" extension is likely a sign of stress. A little extension is good, a lot can be a sign of stress. Of course, this depends on the exact species of coral.

Anthony Calfo had a thread on it here a while back.
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/general-sps-discussion/57132-polyp-extention-2.html

"Polyp extension is not a reliable sign of good health (or bad health). Store tanks often show better extension because of older or weaker lighting (the corals are panning for light when they overextend) or heavy bioloads (lots of extra carbon/sugars)

Some folks even cheat in their so-called coral vitamin products and the like by simply adding sugar. That will make your corals polyp out bigtime (though adding sugars is a bad long term habit). So when you hear people say "I LOVE the smell of X brand coral supplement...it smells like pear or apple juice!" Well..there is a reason wht it smells that way"

 

[Rob.D]

After I added more flow to my tank PE was amazing. I run two Koralia 750's, one 1050 and a MP 40 on a 120.

 

[niftyjosh]

Well that type of "full" extension is likely a sign of stress.

Let me get my ruler out so I can measure how much extension they really have....

The full extension in taking about is a nice bushy pile of sticks. Not a OVERextended polyp that looks nasty.

^ that's what I call full extension