Looking for tips for polyp extension

[Steve973]

I have my first acropora in my tank that has been up for a couple of months. It has been in the tank for about a week and a half, and I'm hardly getting any polyp extension. My tank is very stable with regard to temperature and salinity (auto-topoff). My nitrates and phosphates are undetectable, too. I have a Nano Box Duo for light and an MP10 for flow. I suppose it could still be getting used to my tank, but I want to hear any ideas that you fine people have.

[PiscesFish]

Just throwing a wild shot out there, but how much flow is it being hit with? Are there any pests on the coral that you can see? Have you tried dipping it?

 

Or, it could be acclimating to the light.

 

Have you looked at images online to see how far this particular acropora extends its polyps?

[jservedio]

They extend their polyps and mesenterial filaments specifically for feeding. For them to feed, there needs to be a lot of flow and enough food particles in the water. The more of both, the better the PE.

Have you tried dipping it?

 

After initial prophylactic dipping, unless you are specifically treating for a known pest (AEFW or Red Bugs), you never, ever, dip an acro. If you have an unhealthy acro and dip it, you are just going to kill it...

[Grumblecakes]

Check at night. my acros (and most of my corals) extend their polyps more at night when the lights are off. My blue acro looks disgusting at night. in a round about way many corals are nocturnal feeders.

 

Some people have trained their corals by feeding before the lights are off and slowly feeding sooner and sooner.