Neon Green Sinularia
 

I've searched and cannot find the information I'm looking for. I've got a neon green sinularia in my 12g. It's been in the tank for about 2 to 3 months now, so it's not from just adding it to the tank. I've got the 3.24 lighting upgrade, so I should have plenty of light for it.

My question is do these prefer more or less light? It will not open for over half the day. This morning, when the actinics were on, all of the polyps were out and looking good. As soon as the 10k's kicked on, it shrunk and hasn't came back out. It will probably extend again this afternoon. This is also something that happens everyday, so it shouldn't be from shedding. Right now, I've got it about 6" from the lights. Should I move it down towards the bottom of the tank?

I just wanted to get some opinions before moving things around.
TIA

Sorry, forgot parameters:

Nitrate - 5
Ca - 440
dKH - 8.4
ph - 8.2
Salinity - 1.026

Mel

its probably reacting to the light.....try moveing it down a bit and see if it likes it better........also maybe try both lights comming on together so there is only one change in lighting instead of two.

i have mine at the bottom and it opens all day long ....its about 6 inches tall and 4 wide and it is growing about .75 inches / month under 130w p/c's.

Mine's on the bottom under 2x250w MH and stays open all the time. I agree that both lights coming on may make a difference. Would also move it down.

Also, mine came from a tank lit w/T5's, so the light change wasn't much different from tank to tank.

Ok, I moved it down almost to the sand and into more flow. It's almost laying horizontaly, but the polyps came out almost immediately and stayed out. I read where sinularia like medium to strong flow. Is this consistant to what yours' likes?

Thanks for everyone's help!

Mel

I have mine in relatively strong flow and it seems to like it. Might take some time to acclimate now that it's in a stronger flow area.

they like strong flow but not constant and direct flow .
adjust the position or direction of flow so that it gets a strong curent but it is not blown over.

ps: they also do well right on the sand and will attach to a rock placed nearby in a few days to a week.

Well, where I placed it is on the side of the LR. The flow hits the front glass and "whips" around the LR. So, it's not directly hitting from the powerhead, but it's still pretty strong. 4 days later, the polyps are still out, but still laying horizontal. I'll give it another week or so to see if the stalk strengthens any before moving again.

This is the one thing I hate about keeping corals. Trying to get the correct flow, lighting and positioning. Very frustrating, but I'm sure I'm over-analyzing it. Thanks again for everyone's help!

Mel

I have the same coral, it seems to like lots of light, lots of flow, and stable water conditions, but it needs time for acclimation, even to the light. I would give it time to adjust to the light increase, mine did then came back better than ever