Sarcophyton reaction to too much light

[anna]

I have a new small sarcophyton in my tank (2 small mushroom looking pieces) which I introduced at the same time as I introduced a zoanthid. I have it in the bottom of my tank and have had it there for about 6 days. Originally, I had it tucked under a rock to give it shade but it kept rubbing on the rock so I moved it out two days ago.

The smaller of the two pieces is looking very wilted, neither is displaying their "hairs" (I can't think of the name). The lights just went off and they are looking a bit fuller and starting to put out their "hairs" . No appreciable temperature change correlated with their perking up.

Both are showing a small yellowish edge on the top. No signs of mucous or sloughing. It looks like a bit of hair alge is growing on one of them. No other corals near them. One of the blue hermits likes to perch on top of them.

I am assuming that they are probably reacting badly to the light intensity and should put them back in the shade. Before I start fiddling with them again (I try not to move stuff) I just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this and anything else I might be missing.

Another concern that I have is that the water may be too clean. I am skimming very heavily and running carbon. Given that both the Sarcophyton and the zoanthid both absorb a lot of nutrients from the water, could I be starving them.



Tank:
75G
2 250 MH 10K 2 110 VHO

T: 79-82
S: 1.025
N&N ~0
A ~0
Alk 8.5
Ca 425

Running carbon

Aqua EV 180

Other guests: 4 blue headed pink damsels, 2 Bangai Cardinals, 10 snails, 6 blue and 6 red hermits, 3 peppermint shrimp.

 

[Len]

I agree with your assessment; this is probably a reaction to lights. While Sarcophytons can definitelyl acclimate to intense lights (I've seen them in the wild as shallow as 2 feet!), most probably need to be slowly acclimated. Start the leathers further down and off axis from the halides.

FWIW, I don't think nutrients has anything to do with it. Leathers can rely predominantly on photon energy for their sustainance, and some come from extremely nutriet poor waters.

If this makes you feel better, Leathers are finicky by nature. My specimens will sometimes go weeks without opening at all (not enough sloughing either) and then be fine for weeks after. I think they do it to frustrate reefkeeprs

BTW, the "hairs" are polyps

 

[Expos Forever]

Weeks closed, really?

I've had a sarco for over 2 years (that never spent more than 24 hours closed) that has been completely closed now for 3 days (zero polyp extension). An attached frag has opened regularly... I was starting to think I might lose it. All water parameters within the norm. Anything I can do besides wait? I was considering tryin to frag a piece if I thought I would lose it.

 

[JeremyR]

You didn't mention what kind of light the sarco was under when you bought it. If you move it off to the side and on the bottom like len said, it should be fine without putting it in shade.

 

[Mogo]

Anna/Save the Expos:
I don't know if I would put them in the shade, maybe just very low in the tank- indirect lighting. You may know that the polyp "hairs" withdraw from time to time for no apparent reason. As far as I can tell, this is a very normal reaction. The polyps on mine have disappeared for up to 5 days, only to sprout again for a month. BTW I have always had my sarco under high light near top of tank. It has nearly doubled in size in a year. As I recall, it did take a little time to acclimatize.

 

[anna]

The light in the LFS was just VHO's and no where near as intense as my lighting. I moved my lights back (they are on a slide) and tucked the sarcophyton back so it still not in the direct line of light but gets a nice shimmer across it from the waves.

It seems to have perked up a lot. How long should I leave it there before trying to move it up and out?

Anna

 

[Len]

No definite time frame anna. Just find a way of gradually increasing the light reaching the Leather over the span of several weeks. either by moving the leather or your lights closer. Your coral will tell you if you're moving too fast.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I got a sarc from a VHO tank recently and it took almost a month to fully acclimate to my lighting. I also kept it under an overhang and moved it out bit by bit.

I think having some current on them will keep their polyps extended more in general also.

 

[anna]

Thanks for all of the help. The two are doing very well, showing their polyps and are very plump.