bad sign for my green stars?

[twilliard]

Hi all, I have noticed now for the last two nights that my green stars were pulling in. Now today they have not come out at all. They have been in my tank for around 2 months. Spreading like mad, and looked happy.
Now this is concerning me.
The only thing I have done is pulled my carbon out (rena xp2) and changed my lamps. Old ones were 6500K about 6 months old, new ones are 10K
Ideas? Cause of the lamp change?
I don't want these to die on me. They are my pride and joy.
May tank has been running since January. Its a 55 with 390W of PC lighting (new lamps 10K daylights)
all water#'s are perfect (well .1 on the phos) ,350 cal.
Thanks every one
Todd

 

[Kensn]

I would guess they are reacting to the lighting change. I have read numerous posts about gsp that have retracted for a few days and then come right back bigger and better than before. Mine have done it on occasion for no apparent reason. If water numbers are fine, I wouldn't worry to much. A change in lighting is something I am sure would make them do this until adjusted.

Hope this helped, and I hope someone else chimes in.

Ken

 

[twilliard]

Thanks Ken.
I have a feeling they are reacting to the lights

 

[wrightme43]

Stars do wierd things sometimes. As long as the pink base is not falling apart going necrotic they are cool. If it does, just cut out the bad part and into the good, they will usually go crazy after that. Sometimes a good fragging will make them grow like crazy. They can only really grow out on the edges so a bunch of smaller pieces will spread faster than one big one. HTH Steve

 

[twilliard]

ummm
I found a few hydrozoan on the mat of stars. Could that be an issue?
Actualy I have found a LOT of these around the area of the stars.
I have been reading that these can sting corals.

eeks
how do I get rid of them? they are every where!

 

[wrightme43]

I have some on my stars and no problem. The only thing with saying that is they may and probley are two totally differnt kinds in two totally different tanks, on two different colonies of stars. So I cant tell you for sure.

 

[steve-s]

The only thing I have done is pulled my carbon out (rena xp2)

Could be the spectrum change but depending on what other types of corals you have in the tank, it might easily be a reaction to some other coral. With the removal of the carbon, there could be a coral or similar fighting chemically that was otherwise controlled/aided by the carbon use.

I would replace the carbon and see what results over the next few days.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Nautilus]

Water change never hurts either.

 

[twilliard]

Thanks guys, I change my water every third day 10% (to keep calcium up)
I will see what happens. They havent even tried to come out yet. 2 days and counting.

 

[Anthony Calfo]

indeed... hydrozoans can be (are usually, in fact) serious long term problems (aggression).

But aside from this and lighting issues, changes in water flow disturb GSP easily.

Have you redirected or otherwise changed (reduced?) water flow recently? Are your powerheads/water pumps in need of a cleaning (been longer than 4-6 months)? This restricts flow for many.

Anthony

 

[twilliard]

Actualy anthony, I have changed the direction of a power head.
besides putting it back, what do I do?
they havent opened for 3 days now.
Please help
Todd

 

[Anthony Calfo]

this is very common... tube corals like GSP... Tubipora, etc. are notoriously sensitive to the slightest changes in water flow.

And they really need(!) good dynamic water flow around them.

If you have resumed good water flow above it... simple be patient now (and please do not move the coral... a surefire way to really stress it and prevent polyps from coming out for a while).

Just watch to see that diatom or any other algae do not settle on the tubes (scrub off with a soft toothbrush if so)

Anthony

 

[twilliard]

Thanks Anthony, they have come out now, not fully extended but they are out.
wheewww
I thought they were goners!

 

[Kensn]

It will just get better from here on. I had a scare just like you, once they go in they stay in for awhile but usally come back bigger and better. Glad to hear yours are on the way back out.

Ken

 

[Anthony Calfo]

corals retrat polyps for many days or even weeks at a time (like Lobophytums) and it is quite natural. Its important not to overreact or kneejerk at such times

glad to hear it worked out well.