Best Looking LPS Corals Ever Following Hurricane Beryl

[Texas_Aquaman]

I lost power as a result of hurricane Beryl. I keep my main pump and power heads going with battery backup but switched off all lights to conserve battery. Fortunately we got power back after about 30 hours. What’s amazing (to me) is that my corals (all LPS) looked the best they have ever looked once the lights came back on……really long, full, and plump. That lasted for only one day. Now they are back to normal….much less full and plump. What happened and why? I’d love for my corals to always look the way they looked following the power outage. (I’ve only been in the hobby 6 months so forgive me if there is an easy explanation for this).

 

[jimk60]

Maybe your lighting is a little too intense for your corals. After a day with no light they started to stretch out to get more.

 

[LPS Bum]

As stated above, my first guess would be lighting that is a bit too intense. Could also be that they were getting too much flow with all the pumps and power heads running. Or maybe the lack of filtration allowed the organics to build up a little, and the corals liked that.

Either way, be glad they survived the extended power outage.

 

[zheka757]

i would agree more on flow, i have mixed tank, and im a bit harsh with flow on my lps, when ever i do maintenance by stopping flow, this is when i would say they look best for me also.

 

[Goaway]

I wish I had a solid answer. If I read correctly, cirulation never changed. Lights will cause lps to inflate, deflate. If they need more light, they will inflate/stretch to reach for it.
Softies, mushrooms, and anemones also do the same.

If overexposed, the retract and shrink.

 

[Texas_Aquaman]

Thanks for all the great input. I think it is likely my lights are too intense. I will do some experimenting with reducing intensity as well as moving some of my corals lower in the tank. Note that I was able to keep my flow constant during the hurricane so I don’t think that was the culprit.

 

[VintageReefer]

I have been experimenting with my leds on my lps dominant tank and have realized I’ve been running higher than I need.

I was at 40-45% per channel and have lowered to 40 and then 35 and then 30 and have noticed corals looking larger

My gold acantho is now inflating to 3” tall which is just crazy in person (to me at least)

 

[Texas_Aquaman]

I have been experimenting with my leds on my lps dominant tank and have realized I’ve been running higher than I need.

I was at 40-45% per channel and have lowered to 40 and then 35 and then 30 and have noticed corals looking larger

My gold acantho is now inflating to 3” tall which is just crazy in person (to me at least)

Agree. I have since reduced my lighting from 70% down to 50% and all corals look more inflated and healthier.